From the 1st of June 2026, Ruth Oberrauch will assume the role of president of Oberalp Group, succeeding the founder Heiner Oberrauch, who will leave the operational activities while remaining a member of the Board of Directors.
Founded in 1981, Oberalp Group has a portfolio of 18 sports brands, 7 of which are owned (including Salewa, Dynafit, and LaMunt) and 11 (including Under Armour, Fischer, Bollé, and Blackroll) for which it manages brand development and distribution in the Italian and European markets. In Italy, the company is present with a widespread retail network, which includes 95 sales points between mono-brand and multi-brand stores, and with a consolidated distribution structure throughout the national territory. The Group’s activities are also divided between the headquarters in Bolzano, the strategic hub in Montebelluna – the heart of the sports and footwear district – and the offices in Milan, dedicated to commercial activities, marketing, and relationships with partners and media.
“I see my role as a bridge builder because I know that this way I can give the Group a positive direction for the future. No one wins alone anymore, strategic partnerships are a key factor for success, both inside and outside the company,” stated Ruth Oberrauch.
In her new role, Ruth Oberrauch will step down from leading LaMunt, the community brand of mountain sports clothing designed by women for women that she herself founded in 2022, filling a gap in the outdoor market. An experience, that of being able to develop a brand firsthand, which has allowed her to acquire a deep knowledge of all business processes, preparing her to take on greater responsibility for the entire Group.
Heiner Oberrauch expressed great confidence in the company’s future:Â “The next generation will do better than me, and this transition reflects our vision of conscious and responsible growth. Through careful planning and involving the family in governance, we aim to ensure stability, clarity in responsibilities, and the preservation of the fundamental values that have distinguished Oberalp Group for over forty years.”
The transition process also involves operational leadership: Stefan Rainer will assume the role of Group CEO from 1st of October 2026, after a period of working alongside Christoph Engl, Group CEO since 2018, who will conclude his mandate at the end of September and then support the group as a Senior Advisor starting in 2027.
