History
A glance back at the past
1888
- Establishment of the business
Gabriel Leitner establishes a business specializing in farm machinery, ropeways for material transportation, waterwheels and sawmills.
1908
- “Kohlernbahn” in Bolzano, Italy
LEITNER is involved in the construction of the first ropeway for passenger transportation in Central Europe, the “Kohlernbahn” in Bolzano, Italy.
1925
- Series production of agricultural machinery
The business has grown from a workshop with just ten employees to a factory for the series production of agricultural machinery.
1947
- First chairlift in Italy
LEITNER builds its first chairlift in Corvara, Italy.
1970
- Manufacturing snow vehicles
As early as 1970, LEITNER finally ceased the production of agricultural machinery and began manufacturing snow vehicles for the preparation of ski slopes.
1980
- New production plant
Creation of a new production plant covering 40,000 m2.
1983
- Development of the detachable grip
Development of the LEITNER detachable grip.
1985
- First detachable gondola lifts and 4-seater chair
First detachable 4-seater chair: CD4 Absam-Meierl in Obereggen, Italy
First detachable gondola lifts in Brunico and Valtournenche, Italy
First detachable gondola lifts in Brunico and Valtournenche, Italy
1991
- Passengers transportation
Development of an innovative system for passengers transportation starts on the company's premises.
1993
- First compact station
First compact station is built in Racines, Italy.
1998
- USA affiliate and first detachable chairlift
Opening of an affiliate in the United States and the acquisition of BM Lifts Ltd. In Barrie, Canada.
Opening of the first detachable chairlift with the new drive-tensioning station in Selva Val Gardena, Italy.
Opening of the first detachable chairlift with the new drive-tensioning station in Selva Val Gardena, Italy.
1999
Acquisition of Waagner Biro.
The world’s first bicable ropeway in Ortisei, Italy.
Realization of the first chairlift with direct drive in Ladurns, Italy.
The world’s first bicable ropeway in Ortisei, Italy.
Realization of the first chairlift with direct drive in Ladurns, Italy.
2000
- New company members
The company Pomagalski joins the group.
The debut of the direct drive for ropeways.
Acquisition of Borer Technik of Büsserach, Switzerland, a snowmaker company. Takeover of snowgroomer producer PRINOTH and snowmaker Snowstar.
LEITNER SKYLINER® transports almost 9 million people during 153 days of EXPO 2000 in Hanover.
The debut of the direct drive for ropeways.
Acquisition of Borer Technik of Büsserach, Switzerland, a snowmaker company. Takeover of snowgroomer producer PRINOTH and snowmaker Snowstar.
LEITNER SKYLINER® transports almost 9 million people during 153 days of EXPO 2000 in Hanover.
2003
- First wind power plant
LEITNER employs the synergies between ropeway and wind power technology to develop the LEITWIND wind turbine, in which the DirectDrive acts as a generator.
The first wind power plant starts operation in Malles, Val Venosta Valley in Italy.
The first wind power plant starts operation in Malles, Val Venosta Valley in Italy.
2008
- Inauguration of the MiniMetro
Inauguration of the MiniMetro, an innovative automatic people mover system, in Perugia, Italy.
2009
- First 3S
LEITNER’s first 3S ”Ritten-Renon” in Bolzano, Italy.
2010
- First 10-seater monocable gondola lift
The first 10-seater monocable gondola lift is built at Kronplatz, Italy.
Takeover of the snow making companies DEMAC and LENKO.
Takeover of the snow making companies DEMAC and LENKO.
2011
- First single-source supplier for winter sports technologies
The group is the first single-source supplier for winter sports technologies. From ropeways and snowgroomers to innovative snow making systems offering ski-area operators an efficient one-stop shop for a full range of products and services.
2013
- LeitDrive
The LeitDrive frequency converter is the result of LEITNER's consistent development of innovative drive technology. It was gradually introduced in the company's ropeways from 2013. Thanks to cutting-edge technology and a modular design, the LeitDrive frequency converter offers the highest degree of cost effectiveness and flexibility. The new technology is especially quiet and environmentally friendly. The waste heat can be used for heating and hot water processing.
2014
- LeitControl
LeitControl - The push of a button is enough to activate complex work processes. The new LeitControl control system from LEITNER not only makes many ropeway processes much easier. With a user-friendly design, advanced ergonomics and uncomplicated user guidance based on modern operating systems, the risk of user errors is also reduced, and the training time of new employees is reduced.
The longest monocable gondola lift in the world is realized in Bursa, Turkey.
The longest monocable gondola lift in the world is realized in Bursa, Turkey.
2015
- Symphony cabin and premium chair
SYMPHONY: The new cabin designed by Pininfarina
LEITNER Premium Chair: Elegant sports seats in genuine leather
LEITNER Premium Chair: Elegant sports seats in genuine leather
2016
- 3S Eisgratbahn on the Stubai glacier
The longest 3S gondola lift in the Alps and the world's first tricable gondola lift in two sections featuring non-stop operation.This marks the first appearance of the elegant new “Symphony” cabins based on a concept from Pininfarina. On top of it, this ropeway is also the first tricable gondola lift in the world to feature the LEITNER DirectDrive.
2017
- Gondola lift in Val Gardena
The LEITNER luxury cabin Symphony 10 celebrates its world premiere in Val Gardena. There, 77 cabins in an elegant black and blue look will transport 3,450 passengers per hour to the start of the famous Sella Ronda ski circuit.
2018
- Matterhorn glacier ride
With the opening of the world's highest 3S gondola lift on the Klein Matterhorn on September 29, 2018, several record-breaking facts have now been rolled into a single project. The four-kilometer journey to almost 4,000 meters above sea level leads to Europe's highest top station. The eight-kilometer long hauling rope weighs an impressive 67 tons and is freely suspended over a distance of three kilometers at the longest span of the system.
2019
- Fleckalmbahn
The "Fleckalmbahn" gondola lift from LEITNER is the first monocable gondola lift in Austria to travel at a speed of 7 m/s. The ergonomically shaped premium sport seats with additional heating elements in the backrest are also unique. A world first on the market.
2020
- Premium Chair EVO 8-seater
Introduction of the new 8-seater Premium Chair EVO by LEITNER. In its premiere year, the new 8-seater chair is already being used on the new Lärchkogelbahn in the Planai ski area and on the new Costoratta in Alta Badia.
2021
- Cablebús 2 in Mexico
The longest ropeway line in Latin America (Guinness World Record) opened on August 8, 2021. Equipped with more than 300 ten-passenger cabins, LEITNER’s “Cablebús 2” ropeway system carries up to 100,000 people per day over a distance of 10.6 kilometers via seven stations.
2021/2022
- ConnX®
LEITNER starts with a Hybrid solution for 1 “Last Mile” mobility. ConnX®, the patented proprietary development, combines ropeways with autonomous driverless transport and promotes the use of e-mobility in public transport.
2022
- EcoDrive
In order to counteract the current energy crisis and the associated price rises, LEITNER is helping with a environmentally friendly technological innovation. With the EcoDrive, an automatic adaptive speed control for ropeways, up to 20 percent of energy can be saved.
