Report 2013 Report 2013 LEITNER ropeways connects highest technology & superior quality with sustainability, design and the individual client´s needs and ideas. 6 2013 IN RETROSPECT 2013 saw a continuation of the recent trend: The ropeway busi- HIGH TECH SOLUTIONS WITH LOW ENVIRONMENTAL ness is becoming more international, versatile and demanding. IMPACTS LEITNER ropeways built a total of 46 installations in 15 countries High demands are made of today’s ropeways in terms of the qual- in 2013. Above all else, it was the company’s core competences ity of the ride, their environmental footprint and energy efficiency. that won the contracts for LEITNER ropeways. While negative eco- How that can be achieved is shown by the success of LEITNER nomic developments created a mood of restraint on many of the ropeways’ DirectDrive, which is exclusive to the HTI Group. Rope- traditional ropeway markets, the new markets, including Eastern ways equipped with this modern drive technology are quieter, con- Europe, delivered a strong stimulus with some exciting and often sume less energy and – with fewer moving parts involved – are pioneering projects. In the field of urban transportation, LEITNER more reliable. ropeways implemented innovative solutions with advanced drive In 2013, seven ropeways were delivered with the DirectDrive. systems combining economic advantages with reliability, environ- The advantages of this drive system are still more impressive in mental compatibility and a high standard of passenger comfort. combination with the new LeitDrive frequency converter. The new “Wagstättbahn” gondola lift in Jochberg, which forms part of the OUTSTANDING QUALITY AND INNOVATIVE DESIGN FOR Kitzbühel Ski Area, is equipped with the most powerful version of MAXIMUM INVESTMENT PROTECTION the DirectDrive and LeitDrive. It is the seventh installation in the ski Ropeway operators want to offer their customers enhanced com- area to incorporate this modern drive system. The new “Gipfelbahn fort and performance. At the same time, the installations must also Hochwurzen” 10-passenger gondola lift in Schladming is powered satisfy stringent economic criteria. LEITNER ropeways meet these via a DirectDrive as well. It also offers flexible operation with an in- requirements with solutions incorporating the highest standards of novative detachable system that guarantees fast loading for skiers engineering and advanced design while anticipating the applica- and snowboarders in the winter. While in summer, the gondolas in tions of the future in the process. Top quality and cutting-edge the stations can be brought to a complete 20-second stop twice design are two of the key competences of LEITNER ropeways. for maximum loading and unloading convenience for pedestrians These qualifications are evident in the company’s two new gondola and passengers with strollers, etc. lifts, “Danter” and “Cepies” at Passo Gardena, which boast im- pressive transport capacity, comfortable interiors, all-round glazing CREATIVITY AND INDIVIDUALITY FOR A FASCINATING RIDE and convenient loading. They also offer superior quality and leisure AND GREATER CUSTOMER RETENTION potential not only for skiers and boarders in the winter, but also for A ride on a ropeway can be about much more than simply getting mountain bikers and walkers in the summer. Another successful from point A to B. Today’s interest in the quality of the ropeway project in 2013 was the “BMW Individual for LEITNER”, a luxurious experience makes such features as heated leather seats, colored VIP gondola in the design language of the BMW 7 Series. Four of bubbles and comfortable seats with attractive stitched, engraved them are already in operation in Azerbaijan. or printed designs are popular choices with today’s ski area op- For LEITNER ropeways, premium partnerships with leading brands erators. As a premium manufacturer, LEITNER ropeways likes to like BMW and Kitzbühel are of strategic importance. The partner- offer customized solutions. For example, in the Schlick 2000 Ski ship with the Kitzbühel Hahnenkamm Race, initiated in 2012, was Area in the Tyrolean Stubai Valley, the blue bubbles on the new accordingly continued in 2013. “Zirmach” chairlift gives visitors an attractive mountain experience even in bad weather. The chairs also feature heated blue and yel- low leather seats. Jasna Ski Resort, the largest ski area in Slovakia, has a chairlift with the blue bubbles and heated seats, while the bubbles in the Polish ski resort of Szczyrk are yellow. The “Ross- waldbahn” 6-seater chairlift in Saalbach has blue bubbles, heated seats and automatic safety bars for children. The gondolas of the “Wagstättbahn” in the Kitzbühel Ski Area have seat covers embroi- dered with the resort’s famous chamois logo. 7 8 ITALY FRANCE The biggest contract handled on the Italian market in 2013 was The tricable gondola lift “Prodains Express”, a joint development for the two 10-passenger gondola lifts “Danter” and “Cepies” in project handled in cooperation with POMA, now connects the two Val Gardena. A mudslide that occurred before the work was fin- winter resorts of Avoriaz and Morzine and serves a double function ished called for a flexible response and great commitment in terms there. The tricable ropeway not only carries skiers and snowboard- of planning and construction. The new installations are designed ers, it is also used by the local inhabitants as an urban transport as a year-round amenity, transporting skiers and snowboarders in solution for travel between the two resorts. LEITNER ropeways winter and providing access to the famous Sella Ronda for moun- also built the new 6-seater chairlift Sommarel in the Superdévoluy tain bikers in summer. New 6-seater chairlifts were built at Ponte Ski Area in the South of the French Alps. Vauz on the Pordoi in the Dolomites and in South Tyrol’s Ski Area “Ratschings”, while more ropeways were erected in Lazio, the CZECH REPUBLIC, SLOVAKIA, POLAND Aosta Valley and Basilicata. In total, LEITNER ropeways built eight In Jasna, in the Demanovska Valley in the Lower Tatra, the new new Italian ropeways in 2013. 6-seater chairlift “Lucky Priecno” went into service as the main access installation for the ski area. The ropeway has a DirectDrive, AUSTRIA heated seats, CPS (cable position system) and fully automatic ga- The new GD10 “Wagstättbahn”, 10-passenger gondola lift at Joch- raging system. In Szczyrk, one of Poland’s leading ski areas, a new berg in Kitzbühel, is fitted with the DirectDrive and LeitDrive and is 4-seater chairlift was opened in 2013. the most modern installation of its kind. The GD10 “Gipfelbahn Another project of great strategic importance was handled in the Hochwurzen”, in Schladming, shows how good economics can be Czech Plešivec Ski Area, where LEITNER ropeways installed three combined with passenger convenience. In the terminals, the gon- new 4-seater chairlifts. The Group’s contribution to the project dolas can be stopped twice for 20 seconds for relaxed loading and also included a snowmaking system delivered by DEMACLENKO unloading. In the Stubai Valley near Innsbruck, the DirectDrive was and a PRINOTH snow groomer. On Mount Snezka, the highest chosen for the 6-seater chairlift “Zirmach” in the Schlick Ski Area. peak in the Czech Republic, two 4-passenger gondola lifts named The new 6-seater chairlift “Rosswaldbahn” delivered to Saalbach/ “Snezka I+II” were built in 2013. Hinterglemm also has this modern drive, plus heated seats and bubbles. In the Salzburg region, the “Rosnerköpfl” 8-passenger TURKEY, AZERBAIJAN gondola lift now links the center of Werfenweng with the ski slopes, 2013 was again a year of strong growth on the Turkish market, bringing a significant reduction in the number of cars on the road with four new ropeways installed in the Kayseri Ski Resort alone: in this picturesque Alpine valley. a 10-passenger gondola lift, a 6-seater chairlift and two 4-seater chairlifts. A spectacular gondola lift was completed in Bursa, the GERMANY country’s fourth biggest city. Other installations were completed in The new 4-seater chairlift “Krautkaser” is a big improvement for Sivas, Bingöl and Denizli-Tavas. the training center run by the German Ski Association (DSV) on the In December 2013, Qebele Mountain Resort in Azerbaijan unveiled Krautkaser near Königssee. Germany’s biggest ski area, namely four luxury cabins in the “BMW Individual for LEITNER” design. Wurmberg in Lower Saxony, is now offering a faster and more Since 2012, LEITNER ropeways has built two detachable gondola comfortable ride for skiers and boarders thanks to LEITNER rope- lifts and two Telemix installations in the ski area located between ways. the Caucasus and the Caspian Sea. SCANDINAVIA IRAQ, ROMANIA In Åre, Sweden’s most famous ski resort, the international ski area In Dohuk, in Northern Iraq, LEITNER ropeways implemented yet operator Ski Star invested in three new installations from LEITNER another exciting project in 2013: An 8-passenger gondola lift now ropeways. The 6-seater chairlifts “Sadelexpressen” and “Fjällgårds- connects a new luxury residential complex complete with a shop- expressen” and the 4-seater chairlift “Tegeliften” are now part of ping mall and restaurants with a hilltop excursion destination. the upgraded offering in this ex-World Ski Championships venue A completely new ski area is being developed in Slănic Moldova in Central Sweden. New installations were also delivered to the in Romania, and LEITNER ropeways delivered a 4-seater chairlift Swedish resorts of Sälen, Lofsdalen and to Misvaer in Norway. in 2013. LEITNER ropeways also delivered the 6-seater chairlift “Storhaugen” to the Norwegian Myrkdalen Ski Area in 2013. COLOMBIA Following the success of the first gondola lift in the Colombian city of Manizales, which has greatly improved the traffic situation there, the line was extended in 2013. The 10-passenger gondola lift now leads from the bus station to the suburb of Villa Maria. 9 10 OUTLOOK ROPEWAYS FOR PERFORMANCE AND VERSATILITY ALTERNATIVE TOURISM APPLICATIONS The ropeway scene continues to develop in the direction of further Ropeways are becoming increasingly important as an alternative internationalization and diversification.