Garmont International , a leading mountain and outdoor footwear brand based in the Veneto region of Italy, has appointed Andrea Nalesso as new CEO: with numerous years of experience in the outdoor and sports industries, Nalesso takes over from Pierangelo Bressan, who remains chairman of the board as well as a GARMONT shareholder.
Riello Investimenti SGR, majority shareholder through its Italian Strategy fund, together with the minority shareholders have identified Andrea Nalesso as the ideal figure to lead Garmont International on the development path mapped out for the coming years, convinced that his experience in the outdoor and active industries will prove invaluable in the challenges that await the company in the coming seasons.
Andrea Nalesso’s career path is devoted to two sectors that find in Garmont the ideal match: the outdoor and footwear markets. In fact, following several years as sales director in GEOX and Dainese, Nalesso was general manager of several equipment and footwear brands in the Oberalp group, returning to Dainese before his arrival in Garmont.
“This is an exciting opportunity. Garmont is a historic brand that knows how to combine innovation and tradition: it is internationally renowned for its quality footwear in the outdoor market. – commented Andrea Nalesso, new CEO of Garmont international – I am proud to lead a company with so much heritage and am pleased to place my experience in the footwear and outdoor industries at Garmont’s service to achieve important goals.”
In line with the development plans of the past few years, Pierangelo Bressan, who had taken over the reins of the company in 2014 to lead the brand’s relaunch, remains as President of the Board of Directors as well as shareholder in the company, ensuring continuity and consistency in the growth plans.
“Since entering the share capital of Garmont at the beginning of 2021,” commented Nicola Riello, Garmont’s majority shareholder through the Italian Strategy fund, “the company’s potential was very clear to us, as well as the need, shared also by our minority shareholder Pierangelo Bressan, for a gradual succession plan aimed at identifying the best successor for the new phase of business development. With his strong professional background, we have found the ideal candidate in Andrea and are confident that he can take up the baton from Pierangelo and lead the company towards its new goals. I would like to thank Pierangelo Bressan for his enlightened guidance from 2014 to today; thanks to his dedication and entrepreneurial expertise Garmont was relaunched, returning to the top of the outdoor market.”
Pierangelo Bressan, President of Garmont International, added, “The last few years have been very important for Garmont, a historic and prestigious brand that, with commitment and satisfaction, we were able to relaunch. I was in agreement from the outset with the new shareholders on the strategic plan for a new direction in the interest of growth and strengthening also our international presence. The arrival of Andrea Nalesso is part of this broader project. I am certain that his contribution will enable Garmont to realize its development plans, continuing to focus on the quality, reliability and innovation that have always distinguished it on the market.”
Among the innovative initiatives that Garmont has undertaken in recent seasons and that Andrea Nalesso is called to continue, is the development of footwear with a strong sustainable footprint, a choice that is as important as it is articulated, in a sector where production has a significant environmental impact. From a commercial point of view, the new CEO will continue on the path of internationalization, opening new markets and expanding the existing distribution base, with an omnichannel focus.
INFO: Garmont
