Francis Oscar Patthey, our founder, leader and inspiration, passed away at home in Port Elizabeth

Francis Oscar Patthey, our founder, leader and inspiration, passed away at home in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, on Monday, April 19th 2021, aged 92.
Francis was a legendary figure in the textile industry, founder of Alpha Tops S.A., Grupo Inca, Samil Pty, Cape Mohair Spinners, and one of the principal investors in Alphatex China and The Albion Knitting Company, amongst many other entrepreneurial adventures spanning an illustrious career lasting seventy years. Francis had a deep love and passion for noble fibres, particularly alpaca, mohair and cashmere and was probably the most significant figure of the 20th century for promoting and expanding the processing and commercialisation of these fibres at the origin.
A humble and intelligent man, his passion for noble fibres was only exceeded by his energy and skill as an entrepreneur and his love for his adopted countries of Peru and South Africa.
Towards the latter part of his career, Francis will also be remembered for his contribution towards genetic research on alpaca and his generous investment in local farms in South Africa to support and expand the production of mohair. We have lost a mentor, friend and leader and our deepest condolences go to his family, particularly his three sons Jean-Pierre, Francois and Charles.

Francis Oscar Patthey, our founder, leader and inspiration, passed away at home in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, on Monday, April 19th 2021, aged 92.
Francis was a legendary figure in the textile industry, founder of Alpha Tops S.A., Grupo Inca, Samil Pty, Cape Mohair Spinners, and one of the principal investors in Alphatex China and The Albion Knitting Company, amongst many other entrepreneurial adventures spanning an illustrious career lasting seventy years. Francis had a deep love and passion for noble fibres, particularly alpaca, mohair and cashmere and was probably the most significant figure of the 20th century for promoting and expanding the processing and commercialisation of these fibres at the origin.
A humble and intelligent man, his passion for noble fibres was only exceeded by his energy and skill as an entrepreneur and his love for his adopted countries of Peru and South Africa.
Towards the latter part of his career, Francis will also be remembered for his contribution towards genetic research on alpaca and his generous investment in local farms in South Africa to support and expand the production of mohair. We have lost a mentor, friend and leader and our deepest condolences go to his family, particularly his three sons Jean-Pierre, Francois and Charles.

Francis Oscar Patthey, our founder, leader and inspiration, passed away at home in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, on Monday, April 19th 2021, aged 92.
Francis was a legendary figure in the textile industry, founder of Alpha Tops S.A., Grupo Inca, Samil Pty, Cape Mohair Spinners, and one of the principal investors in Alphatex China and The Albion Knitting Company, amongst many other entrepreneurial adventures spanning an illustrious career lasting seventy years. Francis had a deep love and passion for noble fibres, particularly alpaca, mohair and cashmere and was probably the most significant figure of the 20th century for promoting and expanding the processing and commercialisation of these fibres at the origin.
A humble and intelligent man, his passion for noble fibres was only exceeded by his energy and skill as an entrepreneur and his love for his adopted countries of Peru and South Africa.
Towards the latter part of his career, Francis will also be remembered for his contribution towards genetic research on alpaca and his generous investment in local farms in South Africa to support and expand the production of mohair. We have lost a mentor, friend and leader and our deepest condolences go to his family, particularly his three sons Jean-Pierre, Francois and Charles.

Francis Oscar Patthey, our founder, leader and inspiration, passed away at home in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, on Monday, April 19th 2021, aged 92.
Francis was a legendary figure in the textile industry, founder of Alpha Tops S.A., Grupo Inca, Samil Pty, Cape Mohair Spinners, and one of the principal investors in Alphatex China and The Albion Knitting Company, amongst many other entrepreneurial adventures spanning an illustrious career lasting seventy years. Francis had a deep love and passion for noble fibres, particularly alpaca, mohair and cashmere and was probably the most significant figure of the 20th century for promoting and expanding the processing and commercialisation of these fibres at the origin.
A humble and intelligent man, his passion for noble fibres was only exceeded by his energy and skill as an entrepreneur and his love for his adopted countries of Peru and South Africa.
Towards the latter part of his career, Francis will also be remembered for his contribution towards genetic research on alpaca and his generous investment in local farms in South Africa to support and expand the production of mohair. We have lost a mentor, friend and leader and our deepest condolences go to his family, particularly his three sons Jean-Pierre, Francois and Charles.

Francis Oscar Patthey, our founder, leader and inspiration, passed away at home in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, on Monday, April 19th 2021, aged 92.
Francis was a legendary figure in the textile industry, founder of Alpha Tops S.A., Grupo Inca, Samil Pty, Cape Mohair Spinners, and one of the principal investors in Alphatex China and The Albion Knitting Company, amongst many other entrepreneurial adventures spanning an illustrious career lasting seventy years. Francis had a deep love and passion for noble fibres, particularly alpaca, mohair and cashmere and was probably the most significant figure of the 20th century for promoting and expanding the processing and commercialisation of these fibres at the origin.
A humble and intelligent man, his passion for noble fibres was only exceeded by his energy and skill as an entrepreneur and his love for his adopted countries of Peru and South Africa.
Towards the latter part of his career, Francis will also be remembered for his contribution towards genetic research on alpaca and his generous investment in local farms in South Africa to support and expand the production of mohair. We have lost a mentor, friend and leader and our deepest condolences go to his family, particularly his three sons Jean-Pierre, Francois and Charles.