Christoph Engl is stepping down from his role as CEO, “but not from my passion for mountain sports and brand development, which are – and will remain – in my DNA,” he says. The Oberalp Group has become a leader in the mountain sports sector in recent years, “because we boldly focused on this niche area and resisted the temptation to expand more broadly into the outdoor segment.” The company, which is and will remain owned by the Heiner Oberrauch family (Ruth Oberrauch succeeded the founder as president on June 1), has identified new trends in mountaineering and the needs of new communities and transformed them into solutions. With LaMunt, the company launched the first mountaineering brand for independent women on the mountain; through its commitment to indoor climbing gyms and the acquisition of the American climbing shoe brand EVOLV, it has established the growing urbanization of climbing as a business segment. Revenue exceeding 300 million euros and an average operating profit growth of 7% (2020–2025) are proof of the core entrepreneurial philosophy of a family-owned business: growing slowly and organically is more sustainable than following the ups and downs of stock market logic. “It was a great help as CEO not to be pressured by the owners to maintain consistently high growth rates,” says Christoph Engl, looking back on his time as CEO at Oberalp. Two years ago, the Oberalp Group opened a new home for the athlete brand DYNAFIT in Kiefersfelden, Bavaria, in an award-winning architectural landmark. A year later, the new brand and production facility of POMOCA, the global market leader in ski skins, was officially opened in Chavornay, Switzerland.

Although the outdoor market is growing worldwide and more and more people are discovering outdoor activities as a meaningful leisure activity, the market environment for the sports industry remains difficult following the boom of the COVID years. “We’re preparing for the fact that many smaller retailers – who have been great customers for decades – will exit the market in the future,” says Rainer, looking ahead. The Oberalp Group will counter this trend with its own retail network of over 120 stores in Europe (30 of which are in the DACH region) and six online stores. “Our brands are geared toward international distribution - because mountains, trail running, hiking, climbing, and outdoor adventures are passions that aren’t limited to the Alps,” says Rainer. However, this requires the ability to accurately understand different cultures and behaviors and translate them into the brands’ products. “The promise remains the same for all our customers and brand fans: Everything that leaves our warehouses is guaranteed to be designed, tested, produced, and certified for use in the mountains,” says Rainer, explaining his business strategy. Success in the future will be shaped by the ability to adapt quickly and intelligently to changing circumstances. “It’s no longer the size of the company that determines your relevance in society, but rather the best product and service solutions for your customers and fans,” says the new CEO of the Oberalp Group with conviction, pointing to the power of social media. “There, brands and products are put through their paces in real time by real fans and influencers – and that means you, as a company, don’t have any time at all to launch your products onto the market with big marketing campaigns.” Brands are anchors of trust, and the Oberalp Group remains committed to this truth well into the future.
Stefan Rainer has been with the company for over 20 years and has held positions at various levels of responsibility across nearly all areas of the business, from marketing to product management. Most recently, he served as CSO for six years, heading up sales management for all brands. Effective January 1, 2027, Christoph Engl will remain available to the company’s executive board as a “Senior Advisor” and will oversee special projects for the Oberalp Group, such as the entire area of international licensing for Oberalp brands in Asia.