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Doppelmayr/Garaventa Group
Doppelmayr/Garaventa Group
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Doppelmayr/Garaventa Group is an international manufacturer of ropeways and people movers for ski areas, urban transport, amusement parks, and material handling systems. As of 2023, the group had produced over 15,400 installations in 96 countries.[2] Their annual revenue in 2022/2023 was 946 million euros. The Doppelmayr/Garaventa Group was formed in 2002 when Doppelmayr of Wolfurt, Austria merged with Garaventa AG of Switzerland to form the world's largest ropeway manufacturer.[3][4]

Key Information

History

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A Doppelmayr tricable gondola lift in Sölden, Austria
A Doppelmayr CTEC combined lift at Sunday River, Maine, US
A Doppelmayr cable car at the Rosh HaNikra grottoes, Israel, claimed[by whom?] to be the steepest cable car in the world, with a 60° (173 percent) gradient[citation needed]
A Garaventa aerial tramway at Snowbird, Utah, US

Doppelmayr was founded in Wolfurt, Austria in 1893 (originally as Konrad Doppelmayr & Sohn), and started manufacturing ropeways in 1937.[5] Garaventa was founded in 1928.[5]

In 1967, Artur Doppelmayr [de], grandson of the founder Konrad and son of Emil, who was a businessman, became managing director of the company. As alpine recreation rapidly expanded around the world during the last half of the 20th century, Artur led and established the Vorarlberg cable car company as the world leader. In 1996, Doppelmayr Holding AG acquired Von Roll Seilbahnen AG, a Swiss manufacturer of gondola lifts, chairlifts, and cable cars. In 2002, Doppelmayr acquired CWA, a Swiss maker of gondola and cable car cabins. The merger of Doppelmayr and Garaventa was announced in 2001 and completed in 2002. In 2016 they broke two world records in Vietnam: Called the Ha Long Queen Cable Car, the largest cable car cabins (produced by Swiss company CWA) travel on the tallest ropeway support of the world.[6] In 2017, produced by Garaventa and CWA, the steepest funicular railway came into effect in Stoos, Switzerland.

Divisions

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Doppelmayr Garaventa Group operates subsidiaries in 50 countries manufacturing ropeways under the Doppelmayr and Garaventa brands. Seven of these are responsible for manufacturing parts,[7] namely Doppelmayr Seilbahnen GmbH (Austria), Garaventa AG (Switzerland), Doppelmayr Canada Ltd., Sanhe Doppelmayr Transport Systems Co., Ltd. (China), Doppelmayr France SAS, Doppelmayr Italia Srl, and Doppelmayr USA, Inc.[8]

The company's core ropeway products include cable cars, funiculars, gondola lifts, detachable chairlifts, fixed grip chairlifts, and surface lifts. The company developed the "3S" tricable gondola lift, having acquired the technology from Von Roll Seilbahnen, and built lifts including those located in Kitzbühel (Austria), Koblenz (Germany) and Whistler-Blackcomb (Canada).

Doppelmayr Cable Car

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Doppelmayr Cable Car GmbH
Company typeCorporation subsidiary
IndustryTransportation
Founded1996; 29 years ago (1996)
Headquarters
Wolfurt
,
Austria
Area served
Worldwide
ProductsAutomated People Mover systems
ParentDoppelmayr Garaventa Group
WebsiteDoppelmayr Cable Car

Doppelmayr Cable Car GmbH[9][10] manufactures automated people movers. Their main product is the rope-propelled Cable Liner system, used in airports, city centres, intermodal passenger transport connections, park and ride facilities, campuses, resorts, and amusement parks. The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Doppelmayr Garaventa Group,[10] having been established by Doppelmayr in 1996. Up until 2019, the subsidiary was referred to as DCC Doppelmayr Cable Car.

The first installation was completed at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas in 1999. In 2003, after the world's first maglev transport system (opened in 1984 at Birmingham International Airport) fell into disrepair, DCC installed the "AirRail Link" to replace the maglev and temporary replacement bus-service that had been operating since 1995.[11] The company is contracted to operate some of the systems it builds.[12] A newer system is Luton DART, opened in March 2023.

The Aria Express in Las Vegas, US
The Penang Hill Railway in Penang, Malaysia.


Doppelmayr Transport Technology

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Doppelmayr Transport Technology GmbH[9] develops and sells material-handling ropeway systems. Initially, these systems were similar to cable cars and chairlifts designed for people, but fitted with specially designed carriers. In the early 2000s, Doppelmayr developed a cable-driven material-handling ropeway called RopeCon. RopeCon is a conveyor system that can transport materials over long distances with little ground disturbance. Such installations can be found in Papua New Guinea, Jamaica, Sudan, Switzerland, and Austria.

CWA Constructions

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CWA Constructions SA of Olten, Switzerland, was acquired by Doppelmayr in 2001. The subsidiary manufactures cabins, such as gondola and people mover cabins, for most Doppelmayr Garaventa Group installations as well as for systems built by other manufacturers.

Frey AG Stans

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Frey AG Stans was founded in 1966 and was acquired by Doppelmayr Garaventa Group in April 2017. The subsidiary manufactures various electrical components and control systems for ropeways.

Gassner Stahlbau

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Gassner Stahlbau GmbH is a subsidiary based in Bürs, Austria, that manufactures steel for pylons, chairs, and suspension, as well as various plastic parts. Gassner Stahlbau has manufactured parts for Doppelmayr since 1969,[13] and was later acquired by Doppelmayr.

Input Projektentwicklungs GmbH

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The Input Projektentwicklungs GmbH division produces mountain systems and amusement rides,[9] such as the experimental Mountain Glider roller coaster in Walibi, Belgium. This project was plagued with problems and the ride was eventually removed.[14][15]

Liftbyggarna

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In December 2013, the company's Swedish division, Doppelmayr Scandinavia AB, acquired Swedish lift manufacturer Liftbyggarna AB, which has retained its own separate branding. The company was originally founded in 1952.[16]

LTW Intralogistics

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LTW Intralogistics produces automated warehouse technology.

References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Doppelmayr/Garaventa Group

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The Doppelmayr/Garaventa Group is the world's leading manufacturer of ropeways, cable cars, ski lifts, and related transport systems, specializing in solutions for winter and summer tourism, urban passenger mobility, amusement parks, and material handling. Formed in 2002 through the merger of Austria's Doppelmayr Seilbahnen GmbH, founded in 1893 by Konrad Doppelmayr in Wolfurt, and Switzerland's Garaventa AG, which has over 100 years of tradition in building ropeways starting with timber transport systems, the group combines Austrian engineering precision with Swiss innovation to deliver high-performance, sustainable transport technologies. Headquartered in Wolfurt, Austria, the Doppelmayr/Garaventa Group operates production facilities, sales offices, and service centers in more than 50 countries across six continents, employing 3,781 full-time staff globally as of 2025. In the 2024/25 fiscal year, the group reported sales revenues of 1,197 million euros, reflecting a 13.19% year-over-year growth driven by strong demand in core markets like the Alps and North America, where it completed 93 ropeway projects and 36 intralogistics installations. Since its inception, the group has constructed over 15,000 ropeway systems in over 90 countries, including landmark projects such as the Eiger Express in Switzerland, the Zugspitze cable car in Germany, and urban systems like the Oakland Airport Connector in the United States. Key innovations from the group encompass the detachable 3S gondola technology for high-capacity transport, the world's steepest funicular at Stoos with a 110% gradient, and eco-friendly solutions like the autonomous AURO chairlift, emphasizing safety, efficiency, and environmental integration.

Overview

Company Profile

The Doppelmayr/Garaventa Group is the world's leading manufacturer of ropeways and people movers, specializing in innovative transport solutions for ski areas, urban passenger systems, amusement parks, and material handling applications. As a key player in rope-propelled mobility, the company focuses on sustainable and efficient systems that enhance accessibility in tourism, urban environments, and industrial settings worldwide. Headquartered in Wolfurt, Austria, with major production and development sites in Goldau, Uetendorf, and Sion, Switzerland, the group operates as a privately held enterprise controlled by the Doppelmayr and Garaventa founding families. This family ownership structure, established following the 2002 merger of the two entities, supports a long-term commitment to quality and technological leadership in the industry. The company emphasizes innovation in rope-based transport, pioneering advancements such as autonomous operations and high-capacity designs to meet diverse mobility needs. Its product range includes cable cars, funiculars, gondolas, and chairlifts, tailored for passenger and material transport without delving into specific technical specifications. To date, the group has installed over 15,000 systems across 96 countries, underscoring its global impact.

Key Facts and Figures

The Doppelmayr/Garaventa Group achieved sales revenues of 1,197 million euros in the 2024/25 fiscal year (ended March 31, 2025), marking a 13.19% increase from 1,057 million euros in 2023/24. This growth was driven by strong demand in ropeway systems for passenger and material transport, with the company completing 93 ropeway projects and 36 intralogistics installations across 25 countries. The company employed 3,781 full-time equivalents worldwide as of the 2024/25 fiscal year, reflecting a 7.5% growth in headcount from 3,517 in 2023/24. As the world market leader in ropeways, the Doppelmayr/Garaventa Group has installed more than 15,000 ropeway systems across 96 countries, with over 10,000 of these documented in official company records, underscoring its dominant position in both passenger and material handling sectors. In a significant recent development, the group announced on May 23, 2025, an expansion of its Canadian headquarters in Saint-Jérôme, Quebec, adding approximately 120,000 square feet of indoor production and warehouse space, 31,000 square feet of covered outdoor area, and 34,000 square feet of office and training facilities to accommodate rising demand in North American projects.

History

Origins and Early Years

The Doppelmayr company was founded in 1893 by Konrad Doppelmayr in Wolfurt, Austria, initially operating as a mechanical workshop specializing in agricultural machinery, tools, and repairs, including gear wheels and presses for wine and cider production. Under Konrad's son Emil, the firm transitioned into ropeway engineering in 1937, constructing Austria's first ski lift—a surface lift—in Zürs am Arlberg, which marked the company's entry into aerial transport systems with an installation spanning 390 meters and a capacity of 420 passengers per hour. Following World War II, Doppelmayr expanded its offerings in the 1940s to include its first chairlifts, contributing to the post-war boom in alpine skiing infrastructure across Europe. Meanwhile, in Switzerland, the Garaventa company was established in 1928 by Karl Garaventa in the Swiss Alps, initially focusing on transport systems such as cable cars for material handling and passenger movement in mountainous terrain. During the 1930s, Garaventa advanced its expertise through developments in funicular railways, building early installations that facilitated access to remote alpine areas and laying the groundwork for more complex inclined transport solutions. In the years leading to their eventual partnership, Doppelmayr strengthened its position with key pre-merger acquisitions, notably purchasing Von Roll Seilbahnen AG—a prominent Swiss ropeway manufacturer—in 1996, which integrated advanced technologies like the 3S system into its portfolio. This move, along with ongoing innovations in both firms, set the stage for their 2002 merger.

Merger and Modern Expansion

In 2002, Doppelmayr of Austria and Garaventa of Switzerland merged to form the Doppelmayr/Garaventa Group, combining their expertise in ropeway manufacturing to create the world's leading provider of cable transport systems. This strategic union enhanced the group's engineering capabilities and market position, enabling it to undertake larger-scale international projects while maintaining distinct production facilities in Wolfurt, Austria, and Goldau, Switzerland. Preceding the merger, Doppelmayr acquired CWA Constructions SA of Olten, Switzerland, in 2001, which specialized in cabin manufacturing and became fully integrated into the group's operations post-merger. The acquisition bolstered the group's in-house production of passenger cabins, supporting subsequent expansions. Following the merger, the group pursued global growth, including the establishment of Sanhe Doppelmayr Transport Systems Co., Ltd., in Hebei Province, China, as a key joint venture for Asian market penetration. Key post-merger milestones highlighted the group's innovative reach. In 2016, it delivered the Ha Long Queen Cable Car in Vietnam, featuring the world's largest aerial tramway cabins with a capacity of 230 passengers each, spanning Ha Long Bay and transporting up to 2,000 passengers per hour. The following year, in 2017, the Stoos funicular in Switzerland opened as the world's steepest at a 110% gradient, replacing an older system and providing access to the car-free village of Stoos with a capacity of 1,500 passengers per hour. In 2023, the Luton DART in the United Kingdom launched as an automated people-mover linking Luton Airport Parkway station to the airport terminal, covering 2 kilometers in under four minutes and serving up to 2,720 passengers per hour. Recent developments underscore ongoing modernization and infrastructure investments. In 2024, Garaventa upgraded the Metro Alpin funicular in Saas-Fee, Switzerland, enhancing the underground link from Felskinn to Mittelallalin at 3,456 meters elevation for improved reliability and passenger comfort. Concurrently, in 2025, Doppelmayr Canada announced a major expansion of its headquarters in Saint-Jérôme, Quebec, nearly doubling the facility's size to approximately 185,000 square feet to support increased North American production, with construction beginning in May and operations ramping up by late 2026. In October 2025, the group announced the integration of its Swiss subsidiary Frey AG Stans into Garaventa AG, effective April 2026, to strengthen expertise in ropeway control systems.

Corporate Structure

Core Divisions

The Doppelmayr/Garaventa Group operates through several core divisions that specialize in various aspects of cable transport and related technologies, integrated following the 2002 merger of Doppelmayr and Garaventa. These divisions focus on passenger systems, urban mobility solutions, funicular technologies, industrial material handling, and infrastructure engineering, enabling the group to deliver comprehensive ropeway projects worldwide. Doppelmayr Cable Car serves as the primary division for passenger ropeway systems, designing and constructing installations such as gondolas, chairlifts, and detachable systems for applications in ski areas, urban environments, and airports. This division emphasizes high-capacity, efficient transport solutions that prioritize safety and passenger comfort in diverse terrains. Doppelmayr Transport Technology develops material-handling ropeway systems for industrial bulk transport, including innovations like the RopeCon system for applications in mining, construction, and logistics across challenging terrains. It focuses on cable-driven solutions to support efficient, low-emission freight movement. Garaventa AG, the Swiss-based arm of the group, specializes in funiculars and inclined elevators, providing tailored solutions for steep gradients and challenging topographies in tourist, urban, and industrial contexts. With expertise in reversible aerial tramways and level-compensating systems, it addresses vertical transport needs where traditional ropeways are impractical. LTW Intralogistics handles automated intralogistics solutions, offering turnkey systems with real-time digital simulations and monitoring for warehouses and logistics operations. This division enhances the group's capabilities in automated material flow across various sectors. CWA Constructions focuses on the engineering and construction of ropeway infrastructure, specializing in the fabrication of lightweight cabins and vehicles using advanced aluminum and bonding technologies to ensure durability and aesthetic integration in global installations. It supports the group's overall project execution by providing specialized components for passenger and material systems.

Subsidiaries and Global Reach

The Doppelmayr/Garaventa Group has established a network of international subsidiaries to facilitate its global operations and localized support for ropeway projects. Notable examples include Doppelmayr Canada Ltd., based in Saint-Jérôme, Quebec, which handles sales, engineering, and installation in North America; Doppelmayr USA Inc., located in Salt Lake City, Utah, focusing on the U.S. market; Doppelmayr France SAS, supporting projects across France and surrounding regions; Doppelmayr Italia S.p.A., managing Italian operations and manufacturing contributions; and Sanhe Doppelmayr Cable Car Co. Ltd. in China, dedicated to production and local assembly for the Asian market. In addition to these, the group operates specialized subsidiaries that enhance its technical capabilities. Frey AG Stans in Switzerland specializes in engineering for complex ropeway systems and is set for integration into Garaventa AG starting April 2026, while maintaining its locations in Stans and Sion. Gassner Stahlbau GmbH in Bürs, Austria, focuses on steel construction for pylons, chairs, and suspensions, having been acquired by the group in 1998. Input Projektentwicklungs GmbH in Austria handles project development and concept planning for innovative transport solutions. Liftbyggarna AB in Sweden, acquired in 2013 as a subsidiary of Doppelmayr Scandinavia AB, specializes in installation and maintenance services in the Nordic region. These entities operate under the oversight of the group's core divisions to ensure integrated project delivery. The group's international footprint spans operations in more than 90 countries, with subsidiaries and representatives in over 50 nations to provide comprehensive support from planning to after-sales service. Manufacturing occurs at key sites in Austria (Wolfurt), Switzerland (Goldau, Uetendorf, and Sion), and Canada (Saint-Jérôme), enabling efficient production tailored to regional needs. The company maintains a strong presence in Europe through its European headquarters and subsidiaries, in North America via dedicated U.S. and Canadian entities, and in Asia, exemplified by the Chinese manufacturing facility and landmark projects such as the record-breaking Ha Long Queen Cable Car in Vietnam.

Products and Solutions

Passenger Transport Systems

The Doppelmayr/Garaventa Group specializes in a diverse array of passenger transport systems designed for efficient and comfortable movement of people across varied terrains and environments. These systems encompass ropeway-based solutions that prioritize accessibility, reliability, and integration into both natural and urban landscapes. Core offerings include gondola lifts, aerial tramways, funiculars, chairlifts, and surface lifts, each engineered to meet specific operational demands while adhering to stringent international safety standards. Gondola lifts form a cornerstone of the group's portfolio, available in fixed-grip and detachable variants for year-round use. Fixed-grip gondolas provide steady transport at lower speeds, ideal for shorter routes, while detachable models achieve line speeds up to 6 m/s, enabling capacities of up to 4,000 passengers per hour with cabins accommodating 4 to 15 individuals. The 3S tricable gondola lifts enhance this with superior wind resistance and extended spans, offering speeds up to 8.5 m/s and capacities reaching 5,500 passengers per hour in cabins for up to 38 passengers. Aerial tramways, operating in reversible mode, feature large cabins holding 25 to 230 passengers and transport up to 2,000 passengers per hour per direction, suitable for spanning wide valleys or rivers. Funicular railways handle steep inclines with vehicles that provide high comfort for passengers, often integrating cargo capabilities. Chairlifts, including detachable high-speed models with 4- to 8-seater configurations, deliver capacities up to 4,000 passengers per hour at speeds up to 7 m/s, emphasizing ease of boarding. Surface lifts, such as T-bars or platter types, offer simple, user-friendly options for beginners, with capacities tailored to family-oriented settings. These systems find applications in ski resorts, where high-capacity detachable chairlifts and gondolas facilitate rapid access to slopes; urban settings, including Cable Liner automated shuttles for congestion relief and funiculars for vertical mobility; and amusement parks, leveraging gondolas and aerial tramways for scenic, crowd-managing rides. Technical highlights include overall system capacities up to 6,000 passengers per hour and operational speeds optimized for efficiency, such as 6 m/s for standard detachable gondolas, ensuring minimal wait times and energy use. Safety is paramount, with integrated evacuation systems allowing cabins to be recovered to stations during emergencies and anti-icing technologies, like heated windows, preventing operational disruptions in harsh weather. Advanced monitoring via sensors and fail-safe controls further ensures passenger protection across all installations.

Material Handling Systems

The Doppelmayr/Garaventa Group's material handling systems are designed for transporting goods, bulk materials, and cargo in challenging environments, leveraging ropeway technology for efficient and reliable operations. Key systems include the RopeCon, an inclined material ropeway that uses a flat belt with corrugated side walls suspended on track ropes to convey materials over obstacles such as valleys, rivers, and steep terrains. Another important offering is the reversible ropeway, which facilitates bidirectional transport of materials, particularly in mining operations where material can be moved back and forth between extraction sites and processing areas. The CONTI series provides specialized solutions for baggage and parcel handling, ensuring smooth integration in logistical workflows. These systems find applications across various sectors, including mining operations for ore and overburden transport, ports for handling bulk goods over water or uneven ground, and intralogistics in factories for moving materials between production zones. In airports, the CONTI series supports baggage handling by enabling efficient sorting and conveyance of luggage through complex terminal layouts. Reversible ropeways are particularly suited for mining, where they allow flexible routing of excavated materials to stockpiles or crushers without the need for extensive road infrastructure. RopeCon systems offer conveying capacities of up to 25,000 tons per hour, with inclinations reaching 30 degrees without cleats and up to 90 degrees vertically when equipped with them, making them ideal for long distances spanning up to 30 km in a single section. Their energy-efficient electric drive units produce no local CO2 emissions and operate with minimal noise, significantly reducing environmental impact compared to traditional haul trucks—for instance, installations have demonstrated substantial cuts in fleet requirements and associated emissions in mining projects. Customization is a core feature, allowing adaptation to steep gradients, large tower spans of up to 2,500 meters, and specific material types, ensuring seamless integration into diverse industrial settings.

Innovations and Technologies

Pioneering Developments

The Doppelmayr/Garaventa Group has been instrumental in advancing detachable gondola lift technology, beginning with the introduction of the world's first detachable gondola in 1972 at the Roßstelle lift in Mellau, Austria. This innovation allowed cabins to detach from the haul rope at terminals for smoother loading and unloading, enabling higher transport speeds of up to 6 m/s while maintaining passenger comfort, a significant improvement over fixed-grip systems. The system, initially developed by Doppelmayr engineers, set the standard for high-speed aerial transport and has been iteratively refined over decades to support capacities of up to 4,000 passengers per hour. In the realm of tricable systems, the company acquired and further developed the 3S (tricable gondola) technology originally pioneered by Von Roll in the late 1980s, with the first installation opening as the Alpin Express in Saas-Fee, Switzerland, in 1991. The 3S system uses two fixed support cables and one detachable haul rope, providing exceptional stability for long spans up to 5 km and wind resistance, allowing operations in challenging alpine terrains where traditional bicable systems falter. Following Doppelmayr's acquisition of Von Roll in 1996, the group enhanced the design, integrating it into global projects with cabin capacities reaching 35 passengers and speeds of 7.5 m/s. Expanding into urban mobility, the Cable Liner automated shuttle system marked a pioneering application of cable-propelled technology for non-ski environments when first installed in 1999 at the Mandalay Bay Tram in Las Vegas, Nevada. This driverless system features shuttles on an elevated guideway, achieving headways as low as 21.5 seconds and capacities of up to 6,000 passengers per hour over distances up to 5 km, without the need for onboard propulsion. It represented a breakthrough in efficient, low-emission urban transport, adaptable to airports, campuses, and resorts. More recently, the AURO (Autonomous Ropeway Operation) system, launched in 2024, enables fully unmanned ropeway operations through integrated cameras, sensors, and AI-driven monitoring for real-time safety and efficiency. Debuting on the Schilthornbahn from Stechelberg to Mürren, Switzerland, AURO automates start-stop sequences and fault detection, reducing operational costs while upholding rigorous safety standards certified for alpine use. Complementing this, in 2024, the group introduced the world's first fully panoramic glass cabin with integrated balconies on the Grimentz-Tsirouc aerial tramway in Switzerland, featuring a transparent floor and 360-degree views to enhance passenger immersion.

Research and Sustainability Focus

The Doppelmayr/Garaventa Group operates research and development facilities in its core locations in Wolfurt, Austria, and Goldach, Switzerland, where it invests in advanced digital technologies to optimize ropeway systems. These efforts include the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) for enhanced operational efficiency and safety, as seen in partnerships with entities like Mantis Ropeway Technologies to develop AI-aided image recognition systems. The company's SMART Ropeway platform further supports this by enabling connected, data-driven monitoring and predictive maintenance across installations. In 2025, the group introduced AURO Assist, an AI-supported system for chairlift operations that analyzes passenger boarding in real time. Sustainability is a core pillar of the group's R&D, with initiatives centered on energy-efficient systems such as recuperation technologies that capture and reuse braking energy in funiculars and cable cars. For instance, regenerative braking mechanisms store excess energy in batteries, reducing overall power draw from the grid during operation. In the EibergBahn project, completed in late 2024, a 140 kWp photovoltaic (PV) solar installation on the valley station roof supplies approximately 50% of the system's annual energy requirements, promoting renewable integration in ropeway infrastructure. The group's eco-metrics highlight significant environmental benefits, including a reduced carbon footprint in intralogistics solutions through efficient, automated material handling that minimizes energy use compared to traditional methods. Life cycle assessments confirm that ropeway operations emit less than 25% of the CO2 equivalent of alternative urban transport modes over 30 years, while barrier-free designs with level access ensure inclusive mobility for all users. Looking ahead, R&D priorities emphasize full electrification of systems and zero-emission concepts for urban mobility, leveraging renewable energy sources to achieve carbon-neutral transport networks that support decarbonization goals in cities.

Notable Projects

Iconic Ropeway Installations

The Doppelmayr/Garaventa Group's expertise in passenger ropeways is exemplified by several landmark installations that enhance tourism in scenic and challenging terrains. These projects highlight innovative engineering tailored to natural landscapes, from coastal cliffs to alpine peaks, drawing millions of visitors annually while setting global benchmarks in capacity, steepness, and environmental integration. The Ha Long Queen Cable Car in Vietnam's Ha Long Bay, completed in 2016, connects the mainland to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed bay islands, providing breathtaking views of limestone karsts emerging from emerald waters. This reversible aerial tramway spans 2,165 meters and features two double-decker cabins, each accommodating 230 passengers—the largest of their kind worldwide—transporting up to 2,000 people per hour at 10 meters per second. It also holds the record for the tallest support tower at 188.88 meters, engineered to withstand the bay's humid, corrosive environment. In Switzerland, the Stoos Funicular, opened in 2017, links the town of Schwyz to the car-free mountain village of Stoos, ascending through forested slopes and tunnels to offer access to hiking and skiing amid the Swiss Alps. Recognized as the world's steepest funicular with a maximum gradient of 110 percent, it covers 1,738 meters in length, gaining 743 meters in elevation over a 4- to 7-minute journey at 1 meter per second. The system's cylindrical cars maintain level floors via automatic compensation, enabling barrier-free access and operation in harsh weather, with a capacity of 1,500 passengers per hour. The Rosh HaNikra Cable Car in northern Israel provides a dramatic descent to the Mediterranean grottoes at the Lebanon border, where white chalk cliffs meet crashing waves, creating a natural spectacle for tourists exploring sea-eroded caves. This short reversible aerial tramway, measuring approximately 70 meters in length, operates at a 60-degree (173 percent) gradient, advertised as the steepest cable car globally, and was constructed by Doppelmayr/Garaventa to ensure safe, efficient transport down the sheer coastal face. Completed for the 2024/25 winter season in Austria's SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser-Brixental, the EibergBahn chairlift elevates skiers and sightseers from Scheffau to the Eiberg peak, offering panoramic vistas of the Tyrolean Alps and access to extensive winter trails. As a detachable 8-person high-speed chairlift (8-CLD/B) reaching 5 meters per second, it achieves a world-record conveying capacity of 4,570 passengers per hour, surpassing all other chairlifts in unidirectional throughput. A key innovation is its photovoltaic system on the base station roof, generating 140 kWp to cover over 50 percent of energy needs, making it one of the most sustainable installations of its type. The Schilthornbahn 20XX modernization project in Switzerland, culminating in phases through 2026, revitalizes the high-altitude route from Stechelberg to the Schilthorn summit at 2,970 meters, famous for its James Bond filming legacy and 360-degree Alpine views including the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau peaks. Central to the upgrade is the world's steepest reversible aerial tramway between Stechelberg and Mürren, climbing 775 meters over 1,194 meters at a 160 percent gradient in under 4 minutes with 85-passenger cabins carrying 800 people per hour. Additional Funifor systems, including Switzerland's first between Mürren and Birg (operational since December 2024), the first track to Schilthorn (operational since March 2025), and the second track between Mürren and Birg (operational since November 2025), with the second track to Schilthorn planned for 2026, incorporate wind-resistant wide-gauge tracks, panoramic designs, and automated unmanned operation for enhanced reliability and visitor comfort.

Urban Mobility and Recent Projects

In recent years, the Doppelmayr/Garaventa Group has expanded its footprint in urban mobility solutions through innovative automated transport systems designed to enhance connectivity in densely populated areas and airports. A key example is the Luton Direct Air-Rail Transit (DART) in the United Kingdom, completed in 2023, which serves as an automated cable-hauled people mover linking Luton Airport Parkway railway station to the airport terminal over a 2.1 km elevated guideway. This driverless system, utilizing Doppelmayr's Cable Liner technology, achieves speeds up to 40 km/h and carries up to 1,700 passengers per hour in both directions, replacing traditional shuttle buses with a more efficient and sustainable alternative that reduces travel time to under four minutes. By its first anniversary in 2024, the Luton DART had transported 2.7 million passengers, demonstrating its role in supporting airport growth while minimizing environmental impact through electric propulsion and regenerative braking. Building on such airport connectors, the group continues to advance people mover systems in North America, including the ongoing operations of the Oakland Airport Connector in the United States, a 5.1 km automated guideway transit line operational since 2014 but with sustained enhancements into 2025. This pinched-loop cable-propelled system, integrated with Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART), connects Oakland International Airport to the Coliseum station, transporting approximately 1,200 passengers per weekday as of the second quarter of 2025. In urban settings, the Cablebús Línea 3 in Mexico City, inaugurated in September 2024, represents a milestone in accessible public transport, featuring a 5.5 km monocable gondola with six stations spanning challenging topography in the Gustavo A. Madero borough. Engineered for high accessibility, it accommodates up to 1,000 passengers per hour per direction with 10-passenger cabins, bridging underserved neighborhoods and integrating with existing metro lines to improve equity in mobility for low-income communities. The group's recent projects also extend to resort and hospitality integrations with urban implications, such as the Vinpearl Nha Trang gondola in Vietnam, operational since December 2024. This 3.3 km D-Line system, the longest over-water gondola globally, links the mainland city of Nha Trang to Hon Tre Island, using 12-passenger cabins to transport up to 5,280 passengers per hour across the bay in about 10 minutes, supporting sustainable tourism access without road expansion. Complementing passenger-focused initiatives, Doppelmayr's intralogistics division delivered the CONTI Otrokovice high-bay storage system in the Czech Republic in 2024, a fully automated facility for Continental Barum's tire production site spanning 113 m by 88 m by 41 m. This low-emission setup, handling 180 system pallets per hour across 43,800 storage slots via electric drives and energy-efficient robotics, optimizes industrial logistics while reducing carbon footprint in manufacturing operations.

Operations

Manufacturing and Workforce

The Doppelmayr/Garaventa Group operates primary manufacturing facilities in Wolfurt, Austria, serving as the headquarters for Doppelmayr Cable Car, and in Goldau, Switzerland, the base for Garaventa AG, where ropeways and related systems are designed and produced. These sites handle core production activities, including the fabrication of structural components and assembly of transport systems. In October 2025, the group announced the merger of its Frey AG Stans and Garaventa units in Switzerland to streamline operations at the Goldau facility. Specialized facilities support regional operations, such as the expanding plant in Saint-Jérôme, Canada, focused on North American projects, and production sites in China to meet Asian market demands. The production process is vertically integrated, encompassing in-house design using advanced CAD/CAM software for precise engineering, followed by component manufacturing, assembly at dedicated lines like the D-Line in Wolfurt, rigorous testing for performance and safety, and on-site installation. Key elements such as cabins—enhanced through the acquisition of carvatech for specialized carrier production—and haul ropes are produced internally to ensure quality control and customization. This end-to-end approach allows the group to deliver tailored ropeway systems efficiently. The workforce comprises 3,781 full-time equivalents globally as of the 2024/25 fiscal year, distributed across engineering, manufacturing, and project management roles to support diverse operations from design to field installation. The group invests in employee development through structured training programs, including apprenticeships in skilled trades like mechatronics and electrical engineering, with over 100 apprentices currently enrolled, and safety-focused courses emphasizing operational reliability. Adherence to high quality standards is maintained through ISO certifications, including ISO 9001:2015 for quality management, ISO 14001:2015 for environmental management, and ISO 45001:2018 for occupational health and safety, applied across production sites to ensure consistent safety and sustainability in manufacturing processes.

Market Presence and Challenges

The Doppelmayr/Garaventa Group maintains a dominant position in the European ropeway market, particularly in the Alpine region, where it serves as the leading supplier with a substantial share of installations driven by its extensive experience in winter tourism and urban mobility solutions. The company has achieved consistent growth, reporting sales revenue of 1,197 million euros in the 2024/25 business year, a 13.19% increase from the prior year, reflecting strong demand in core European markets. While global market share estimates vary, the group is recognized as a top player with approximately 20-25% of the overall cable cars and ropeways sector, bolstered by over 15,100 systems installed worldwide. In Asia and the Americas, the company is expanding its footprint, with notable projects in emerging markets such as Vietnam and Mexico, where urban ropeway initiatives like those in Mexico City highlight growing adoption for public transport. Recent achievements include the completion of the world's first TRI-Line installation in Hoch-Ybrig, Switzerland, in November 2025. Key competitors in the industry include the Leitner Group (part of HTI) and Poma Group, both of which focus on aerial lift systems for ski resorts and urban applications. Doppelmayr/Garaventa differentiates itself through its integrated solutions, combining ropeway engineering with advanced digital connectivity and customized drive systems to offer comprehensive, efficient mobility options across diverse terrains. With a workforce of 3,781 full-time equivalents supporting these operations as of the 2024/25 fiscal year, the group leverages its global network of production sites and service centers in over 50 countries to maintain competitive advantages in project delivery and maintenance. The company faces several industry challenges as of 2025, including supply chain disruptions affecting component availability for electrical and mechanical systems in ropeway construction. Regulatory hurdles for urban projects, such as stringent EU directives on design, manufacturing, and environmental compliance, add complexity to approvals and implementations in densely populated areas. Additionally, the shift toward sustainable technologies amid global climate goals pressures the sector to adopt energy-efficient and low-emission systems, requiring ongoing investment in green innovations to meet evolving standards. To address these dynamics, Doppelmayr/Garaventa employs strategies centered on strategic partnerships and market expansion, such as showcasing integrated solutions at INTERALPIN 2025 to foster industry collaborations and highlight urban mobility advancements. The group is actively pursuing growth in emerging markets through targeted projects in Vietnam for leisure applications and Mexico for urban transport, aiming to capitalize on rising demand for eco-friendly infrastructure.

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