Born near Naples in 1876, he graduated
in engineering in 1900 and spent some years
gaining work experience abroad. He then returned
to Italy where he set up his own company
manufacturing mining equipment.
Assisting
the Italian government during the first world
war, he would turn to the manufacture of
trucks and engines, then following the war
he oversaw the acquisition of smaller manufacturing
concerns to form the conglomerate Società Anonima
Ing. Nicola Romeo & Co.
Formally
constituted by the notary Federico Guasti
in Milan on February 3rd 1918, the new company
proclaimed its purpose to be the construction
and management of engineering, steel, agricultural,
mining, chemicals and quarrying companies,
with particular emphasis on military, aviation,
marine and agricultural equipment, internal
combustion engines for all possible applications;
airplanes, automobiles, locomotives and other
wheeled transport.
Nicola Romeo wanted his
company to be much more than just a car manufacturer,
and secured the services of leading engineers
such as Giuseppe Merosi and Vittoria Jano
to name just a few.
In the 1920’s the
company would become involved in a financial
crisis with majority shareholder Banca Italiana
di Sconto, and in 1927 there was even talk
of the concern being liquidated.
Romeo resisted
the required changes deemed necessary to
ensure the companies viability, deciding
instead to sever all connections with the
Alfa Romeo concern. He passed away on the
15th August, 1938.
Also see:
Alfa Romeo Heritage
Honour Roll - Founding Fathers Of The Automotive Industry