Farewell to Mario Colombo, heir and author of the relaunch of Colmar
Grandson of the founder of the historic sports brand, he was 71 years old
Yesterday, at the age of 71, the entrepreneur Mario Colombo, president of Manifattura Mario Colombo, a historic company in Monza founded in 1923 and known worldwide for the Colmar brand, a symbol of sportswear and Made in Italy, died.
Colombo, grandson of the founder whose name he bore, was born in Monza on 21 June 1954. After studying at the Catholic University of Milan, he had begun his career in the family business in 1973, holding operational roles and building a deep knowledge of the sector. Between 2000 and 2004, he had led Adidas Italia as managing director, an experience that enriched his managerial profile before returning to Colmar in 2005, the year in which he assumed the presidency.
Colmar began by producing felt hats and gaiters, evolving over the years into technical sportswear. In the 1950s, it first dressed the Italian ski team at the Oslo Olympics, contributing to innovations such as the 'Colò sheath'. In the 1970s, during the 'blue avalanche' season, Colmar signed several historic race outfits for the Sapporo and Innsbruck Olympics and the St. Moritz World Championships.
Under Colombo's leadership, Colmar has consolidated its international positioning, strengthening its ties with the world of sport, particularly alpine skiing, in which the company has been a protagonist on the World Cup slopes for decades. In 2007 he had founded, together with his cousins Giulio and Carlo, the Colmar Golf line and the Colmar Cup, while since 2011 he had become president of the Campo Carlo Magno Golf Club in Madonna di Campiglio, which had awarded him honorary citizenship in 2012.
"Over the course of more than 50 years of professional activity, Mario Colombo played a central role in the company's development, distinguishing himself for his competence, vision and dedication," Colmar emphasised in the press release with which it announced Colombo's passing, also recalling how "alongside his entrepreneurial commitment, he leaves behind the memory of profound human qualities: his smile, friendliness and ability to put anyone at ease in all circumstances, traits that always distinguished him.
