Doppelmayr, the global market leader in ropeway engineering, posted a moderate fall in sales revenues in the financial year 2014/2015. In comparison with the previous year, revenues decreased by roughly 7.5% to EUR 794 million. This was primarily attributable to the completion of major projects which were included in the previous year's figures and led to record revenues in the financial year 2013/2014. The company was nonetheless able to consolidate its pole position in the international market. Once again, Doppelmayr built spectacular new ropeways with impressive innovations and top-class ropeway technology for customers around the globe. Headcount increased worldwide to 2,546. In Austria, another 64 employees joined the workforce.

Highlights from the winter business

The financial year 2014/15 once again clearly showed that ropeways for winter tourism are Doppelmayr's most important market and are set to remain so in the future. The Pardatschgrat 3S in Ischgl was one of the most visionary projects of the last financial year. Doppelmayr implemented many world firsts and innovative solutions on this 3S installation. The new carriage wheel generator enables electricity to be supplied to the cabin during the trip and is used to power the sea heating and interior lighting. With a vertical rise of 1,251 meters, this installation holds the current world record as the tricable gondola with the greatest difference in altitude between top and bottom stations.

Vorarlberg's ski resorts also invested in new lift installations. These included the Panorama Lift in Silvretta Montafon, which since last winter has carried skiers and snowboarders to the Kreuzjochsattel – the starting point for the longest downhill run in Vorarlberg. WLAN access is available for guests using the lift's 65 cabins.

At 2,377 meters, the Centennial Express is the longest combination lift ever built by Doppelmayr. Winter sports enthusiasts in Vail/Beaver Creek (USA), which hosted the 2015 Alpine World Ski Championships, get to choose between 6-seater chairs or 10-passenger cabins.

In Switzerland, the aerial tramway on Mount Titlis made the headlines with a new cabin. The New Rotair marked the first time that the entire cabin, rather than just the floor, completes a full rotation about its own axis during the trip. This same principle was applied on Mont Blanc. The two-section aerial tramway known as the Skyway Monte Bianco was opened in June 2015 and offers guests a 360° panoramic view.

Ropeways as transport solution for cities

Doppelmayr completed the first phase of the world's biggest urban ropeway in December 2014. It links the Bolivian cities of La Paz and El Alto. The three ropeway lines, Líneas Roja, Amarilla and Verde, consisting of detachable gondola lifts which serve 11 stations and cover a total route length of roughly 10 kilometers have proved to be a great success. Since the first line went into service at the end of May 2014, some 35 million passengers have been carried. The second phase is already well under way, with another six lines incorporating 23 stations and 20 kilometers of ropeway due to be completed by Doppelmayr in 2019.

The Cable Liner known as the Oakland Airport Connector links Oakland International Airport with the BART public transport network in the San Francisco Bay Area. This installation consists of four trains and is the first of its type built by Doppelmayr Cable Car GmbH & Co KG as a pinched loop system.

Ropeways as an attraction

The Hogwarts Express is a brand new attraction at Universal's Orlando Resort. Hiding behind the detailed reproduction of the renowned steam train from the Harry Potter films is a modern funicular ropeway. During the four-minute ride between Universal's Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida, it offers passengers a very special experience just like the one Harry Potter and his friends had on their way from King's Cross Station in London to Hogsmeade and the school of witchcraft and wizardry.

Success factor employees

Doppelmayr employees work with dedication and ambition to ensure that common goals can be achieved in close collaboration with customers. New employees were again recruited over the past year to strengthen the Doppelmayr team. Global headcount rose from 2,452 to 2,546. It is also particularly gratifying to note the great interest shown by young people in a career with Doppelmayr. The fall saw 22 new apprentices begin their training. This means that 92 future specialists are currently undertaking apprenticeships at the Doppelmayr site in Wolfurt.

Top performance for a successful future

The Doppelmayr teams are currently working on many exciting projects, which include three spectacular ropeways in Vietnam: a reversible aerial tramway in Ha Long Bay, a 3S lift on Mount Fansipan and the world's longest 3S installation with a length of 7,900 meters. This winter season will see the opening of a world first in Austria: The Penkenbahn in Mayrhofen will be the first 3S lift to feature a curved alignment.

In spite of uncertain macroeconomic conditions, Doppelmayr expects to see a stable development in sales revenues and a satisfactory operating result for the financial year 2015/2016. The trust placed in the capabilities of the Group by customers around the globe represents a duty, a challenge and an incentive to continue to develop market-oriented technical innovations, to offer top logistical performance and to build simply the best ropeways in the world.

Inquiries:

Mag. Ekkehard Assmann

Head of Marketing and Public Relations
Rickenbacherstrasse 8-10, Postfach 20
6922 Wolfurt / Austria
Tel. +43 5574/604-223, Fax +43 5574/75590
Email: ekkehard.assmann@doppelmayr.com

Internet: doppelmayr.com