Nicola Romeo

Nicola Romeo
Born	Template:Birth date Sant'Antimo, Naples, Italy
Died	August 15, 1938(1938-08-15) (aged 62)
Occupation(s)	Engineer, businessman
Known for	Founder of Alfa Romeo

Nicola Romeo (Template:IPAc-en; Italian: [niˈkɔːla roˈmɛːo]; born 28 April 1876 – died 15 August 1938) was an Italian engineer and businessman, renowned primarily for establishing the automobile manufacturer Alfa Romeo. He also held a position as a senator during the 18th Legislature of the Kingdom of Italy.

Career

Romeo earned his engineering degree from the Politecnico di Napoli (currently known as Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II) in 1899. Subsequently, he spent several years working abroad and pursued an additional bachelor's degree in electrical engineering in Liège, Belgium. Returning to Italy in 1911, he founded the company "Ing. Nicola Romeo e Co.," which specialized in producing machinery and equipment for the mining sector. Following the company's growth, he aimed to broaden its scope by acquiring a controlling interest in the Milan-based automobile firm A.L.F.A. (Anonima Lombarda Fabbrica Automobili) in 1915. By 1918, Romeo had gained full ownership of the company, which was then renamed "Anonima Lombarda Fabbrica Automobili Romeo." The inaugural vehicle to bear the Alfa Romeo emblem was the 1921 Torpedo 20/30 HP. The enterprise earned acclaim for manufacturing stylish and reliable automobiles alongside aircraft components. However, by 1927, it faced near-bankruptcy due to unsuccessful investments. During a critical board meeting, Romeo was asked to step down from his role but was convinced by the new CEO Pasquale Gallo to remain as president. Ultimately, Romeo officially left Alfa Romeo in 1928.

Engineering companies

Throughout his career, Nicola Romeo owned several engineering firms, though not simultaneously. These enterprises included:

• Ing. Nicola Romeo e Co.
• Società Nicola Romeo di Saronno
• Costruzioni Meccaniche di Saronno
• CEMSA
• Officine Ferroviarie Meridionali - OFM
• Industrie Meccaniche e Aeronautiche Meridionali - IMAN

Family

In 1905, he married Angelina Valadin, a Portuguese opera singer and pianist. They had seven children together: Maurizio, Edoardo, Nicholas, Elena, Giulietta, Piera, and Irene.

Death

File:Nicola Romeo Script.JPG

The Honourable Plate of Nicola Romeo Script in his birthplace, Sant'Antimo (Naples), Italy.

Nicola Romeo passed away at the age of 62 on 15 August 1938, at his residence by Lake Como. Nearly seven decades following his passing, and in celebration of the 130th anniversary of his birth, the city of Naples honored him by naming a street after him in Rione Lauro, known as Via Nicola Romeo.

External links

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