Nicola Romeo
Nicola Romeo (born April 28, 1876 in Sant'Antimo near Naples , † August 15, 1938 in Magreglio on Lake Como ) was an Italian engineer and entrepreneur .
Life
Romeo completed a mechanical engineering degree at the Politecnico di Torino by 1900 . He then worked abroad for a few years. In 1911 he returned to his homeland and founded the “Ing. Nicola Romeo e Co. “The company manufactured machinery and equipment for the mining industry .
The company also flourished due to arms deals caused by the First World War . For reasons of expansion, Romeo acquired a majority stake in the automobile manufacturer ALFA , which had only been founded five years earlier in Portello near Milan and which had got into difficulties with car production due to the war. He also switched production there to a large extent to armaments products, for example aircraft engines were also manufactured in Portello. Due to these measures, his company strengthened significantly.
In 1918 Romeo acquired the absolute majority of the shares in ALFA and named his company "Società Anonima Italiana Ing. Nicola Romeo". The brand name ALFA was changed to "Alfa Romeo" using his last name.
After the First World War, Alfa Romeo focused again on automotive engineering. With the help of Vittorio Jano , who was responsible for the technology from 1923, new sporty models were developed for a discerning clientele. Numerous successes could be achieved in motorsport, they helped to build up and consolidate the then exclusive reputation of the brand. With the stock market crash on Black Thursday , the company ran into economic difficulties again. The state-run IRI stepped in and saved Alfa Romeo.
Nicola Romeo left the company in 1928. In 1929 he was nominated for the Italian Senate by the Partito Nazionale Fascista . Until his death in 1938 he was still financially involved in other industrial activities and in transport. Romeo left behind his wife of Portuguese origin and seven children.
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| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Romeo, Nicola |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | Italian engineer and entrepreneur |
| DATE OF BIRTH | April 28, 1876 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Sant'Antimo |
| DATE OF DEATH | August 15, 1938 |
| Place of death | Magreglio |