Leitner-Poma
Encyclopedia
Leitner-Poma of America is a North America
n aerial lift
manufacturer based in Grand Junction
, Colorado
. It is the North American subsidiary of French-based Poma
, which is owned by the Italian company Leitner Technologies, part of the Leitner Group
. The North American company was formed in 2000 when the Seeber Group, owner of Leitner, bought Poma. Leitner-Poma's competitors are Doppelmayr CTEC
, which is based in Salt Lake City, and SkyTrac. Leitner-Poma supplies lifts to the United States, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia.
in 1952. The first North American Poma brand chairlift was installed in 1958 in Squaw Valley, California
, for the 1960 Winter Olympics
.
Poma's Grand Junction
, Colorado
, manufacturing facility was opened in 1981 in order for Poma to better serve the North American market.
In 1973, the company built its first Gondola in the United States at Big Sky Resort
in Montana
(removed in 2008). In the following years, Poma built gondolas at Whistler-Blackcomb
, British Columbia
; Squaw Valley, California (replaced by North America's only funitel
); Stowe Mountain Resort
, Vermont
; and Stratton, Vermont
, among others. In total, the company built 205 chairlifts, surface lifts, and gondolas before merging with Leitner.
and Canada
. Customers included Fernie Alpine Resort
, Kimberley Alpine Resort
, and Big White in British Columbia
; Mount Norquay and Lake Louise
in Alberta
; and Jay Peak
, Vermont.
, the North American operations of each were combined. While it was announced as a merger of Leitner Lifts USA/Canada and Poma of America, Leitner's operations were mostly folded into Poma's. The last Leitner designed lifts were installed in 2001, and since 2002, all lifts produced by the company have been of Poma's design.
The company recently won the contract to build the replacement Roosevelt Island Tramway
in New York City
, and is also the supplier of the passenger capsules for both the London Eye
Ferris wheel
in England and the High Roller
Ferris wheel to be built on the Las Vegas Strip
.
Leitner-Poma's market share continues to trail significantly behind Doppelmayr CTEC.
As both Poma and as Leitner-Poma, the company has built some of the most notable lifts in America, including, among others, the only double loading chairlift in North America (Quicksilver Super6) and the highest chairlift in North America, (Imperial Express SuperChair, topping at 12840 feet (3,913.6 m)), both located at Breckenridge Ski Resort
in Colorado.
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
n aerial lift
Aerial lift
An aerial lift is a means of transportation in which cabins, cars, gondolas or open chairs are hauled above the ground by means of one or more cables.Types of aerial lifts include:...
manufacturer based in Grand Junction
Grand Junction, Colorado
The City of Grand Junction is the largest city in western Colorado. It is a city with a council–manager government form that is the county seat and the most populous city of Mesa County, Colorado, United States. Grand Junction is situated west-southwest of the Colorado State Capitol in Denver. As...
, Colorado
Colorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
. It is the North American subsidiary of French-based Poma
Poma
Poma, also known as Pomagalski S.A. is a French company, specialising in construction of cable-driven lift systems, including fixed and detachable chairlifts, gondola lifts, funiculars, aerial tramways, people movers, and surface lifts. Poma has installed more than 7800 devices on five continents,...
, which is owned by the Italian company Leitner Technologies, part of the Leitner Group
Leitner Group
Leitner Group is an Italian conglomerate, based in the province of South Tyrol, that owns and runs several industrial and equipment companies....
. The North American company was formed in 2000 when the Seeber Group, owner of Leitner, bought Poma. Leitner-Poma's competitors are Doppelmayr CTEC
Doppelmayr CTEC
Doppelmayr is an aerial lift manufacturer based in Salt Lake City, Utah, and Saint-Jérôme, Quebec, and a subsidiary of the worldwide Doppelmayr Garaventa Group. The North American company was formed in 2001 after the merger of Garaventa of Goldau, Switzerland, and Doppelmayr of Wolfurt, Austria....
, which is based in Salt Lake City, and SkyTrac. Leitner-Poma supplies lifts to the United States, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia.
Poma of America before merger
Jean Pomagalski invented the detachable Pomalift surface tow in 1936, and first brought it to North AmericaNorth America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
in 1952. The first North American Poma brand chairlift was installed in 1958 in Squaw Valley, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, for the 1960 Winter Olympics
1960 Winter Olympics
The 1960 Winter Olympics, officially known as the VIII Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event held between February 18 and 28, 1960 in Squaw Valley, California, United States. In 1955 at the 50th IOC meeting, the organizing committee made the surprise choice to award Squaw Valley as...
.
Poma's Grand Junction
Grand Junction, Colorado
The City of Grand Junction is the largest city in western Colorado. It is a city with a council–manager government form that is the county seat and the most populous city of Mesa County, Colorado, United States. Grand Junction is situated west-southwest of the Colorado State Capitol in Denver. As...
, Colorado
Colorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
, manufacturing facility was opened in 1981 in order for Poma to better serve the North American market.
In 1973, the company built its first Gondola in the United States at Big Sky Resort
Big Sky Resort
Big Sky Resort is a ski resort located in southwestern Montana in Madison County, an hour south of Bozeman via U.S. Highway 191 in Big Sky.Opened in late 1973, Big Sky has grown over the last 35 years. Trademarked as the "Biggest Skiing in America" through the Biggest Skiing in America Pass,...
in Montana
Montana
Montana is a state in the Western United States. The western third of Montana contains numerous mountain ranges. Smaller, "island ranges" are found in the central third of the state, for a total of 77 named ranges of the Rocky Mountains. This geographical fact is reflected in the state's name,...
(removed in 2008). In the following years, Poma built gondolas at Whistler-Blackcomb
Whistler-Blackcomb
Whistler Blackcomb is a major ski resort located 125 km north of Vancouver, in British Columbia, Canada. By many measures it is the largest ski resort in North America; it is 50% larger than its nearest competitor in terms of size, has the greatest uphill lift capacity, and until 2009, had...
, British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
; Squaw Valley, California (replaced by North America's only funitel
Funitel
A funitel is a type of aerial lift, generally used to transport skiers. The name funitel is a portmanteau between the French words funiculaire and telepherique. Funitels have not only been used as a means to transport skiers; there is one used to transport finished cars between different areas of...
); Stowe Mountain Resort
Stowe Mountain Resort
Stowe Mountain Resort is a ski resort near the town of Stowe in northern Vermont, comprising two separate mountains: Mount Mansfield and Spruce Peak. The vertical drop from Mount Mansfield of is the fifth largest in New England and the fourth largest in Vermont. The resort is primarily owned by...
, Vermont
Vermont
Vermont is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state ranks 43rd in land area, , and 45th in total area. Its population according to the 2010 census, 630,337, is the second smallest in the country, larger only than Wyoming. It is the only New England...
; and Stratton, Vermont
Stratton, Vermont
Stratton is a town in Windham County, Vermont, United States. The population was 136 at the 2000 census.Stratton was one of thirteen Vermont towns isolated by flooding caused by Hurricane Irene in 2011.-Geography:...
, among others. In total, the company built 205 chairlifts, surface lifts, and gondolas before merging with Leitner.
Designs of POMA of America
- Detachable
- Terminals
- Alpha-Falcon
- Falcon
- Falcon Gondola
- Competition
- Challenger
- Competition Gondola
- Phatboy
- Grips
- TB-41
- Double TB-41
- Omega
- Carriers
- Falcon
- Competition
- Omega
- Terminals
- Fixed Grip
- Terminals
- Delta
- Alpha
- Carriers
- Falcon
- Terminals
Leitner Lifts before merger
Leitner had a limited history in North America prior to its merger with Poma of America. Between 1997 and 2001, it installed 21 lifts in the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. Customers included Fernie Alpine Resort
Fernie Alpine Resort
Fernie Alpine Resort is a ski resort, located on Lizard Range, near the town of Fernie, British Columbia in Canada. It is known particularly for its high annual snowfall, reportedly the highest of any resort in the Canadian Rockies, and for its powder skiing...
, Kimberley Alpine Resort
Kimberley Alpine Resort
Kimberley Alpine Resort is a ski resort located in Kimberley, British Columbia, Canada.It is located in the Purcell Mountains, on the east face of North Star Hill...
, and Big White in British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
; Mount Norquay and Lake Louise
Lake Louise
-Canada:*Lake Louise , a lake in Alberta, Canada*Lake Louise, Alberta, a hamlet which takes its name from the lake**Chateau Lake Louise, hotel in Alberta, Canada, one of Canada's Grand Railway Resorts...
in Alberta
Alberta
Alberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces...
; and Jay Peak
Jay Peak
Jay Peak Resort is an American ski resort located on Jay Peak, outside the village of Jay in the town of Jay, Vermont in the Green Mountains. Its vertical drop of is the eighth largest in New England and the fifth largest in Vermont....
, Vermont.
Designs of Leitner in America
- Detachable
- Terminals
- Automatic
- Quintessential
- Plan de Gralba
- Grips
- LA48-95
- Terminals
- Fixed Grip
- N/A
Merger of Leitner and Poma
In 2000, the Seeber Group of Italy purchased Pomagalski, S.A. of France. Although the two remained separate in EuropeEurope
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, the North American operations of each were combined. While it was announced as a merger of Leitner Lifts USA/Canada and Poma of America, Leitner's operations were mostly folded into Poma's. The last Leitner designed lifts were installed in 2001, and since 2002, all lifts produced by the company have been of Poma's design.
After the merger
In 2009, Leitner-Poma of America moved into a new headquarters in Grand Junction along with other companies owned by Leitner Technologies, including Leitwind, a manufacturer of wind turbines, and Prinoth, a maker of snow groomers. Colorado Governor Bill Ritter attended the grand opening ceremony, which took place during the financial crisis of 2007–2010 at which Leitner-Poma promised to create 100 new jobs.The company recently won the contract to build the replacement Roosevelt Island Tramway
Roosevelt Island Tramway
The Roosevelt Island Tramway is an aerial tramway in New York City that spans the East River and connects Roosevelt Island to Manhattan. Prior to the completion of the Mississippi Aerial River Transit in May 1984 and the Portland Aerial Tram in December 2006, it was the only commuter aerial tramway...
in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, and is also the supplier of the passenger capsules for both the London Eye
London Eye
The London Eye is a tall giant Ferris wheel situated on the banks of the River Thames, in London, England.It is the tallest Ferris wheel in Europe, and the most popular paid tourist attraction in the United Kingdom, visited by over 3.5 million people annually...
Ferris wheel
Ferris wheel
A Ferris wheel is a nonbuilding structure consisting of a rotating upright wheel with passenger cars attached to the rim in such a way that as the wheel turns, the cars are kept upright, usually by gravity.Some of the largest and most modern Ferris wheels have cars mounted on...
in England and the High Roller
High Roller (Ferris wheel)
High Roller Observation Wheel is a tall giant Ferris wheel announced in August 2011 as part of Caesars Entertainment Corporation's $550 million Project Linq on the Las Vegas Strip, Nevada...
Ferris wheel to be built on the Las Vegas Strip
Las Vegas Strip
The Las Vegas Strip is an approximately stretch of Las Vegas Boulevard in Clark County, Nevada; adjacent to, but outside the city limits of Las Vegas proper. The Strip lies within the unincorporated townships of Paradise and Winchester...
.
Leitner-Poma's market share continues to trail significantly behind Doppelmayr CTEC.
As both Poma and as Leitner-Poma, the company has built some of the most notable lifts in America, including, among others, the only double loading chairlift in North America (Quicksilver Super6) and the highest chairlift in North America, (Imperial Express SuperChair, topping at 12840 feet (3,913.6 m)), both located at Breckenridge Ski Resort
Breckenridge Ski Resort
Breckenridge Ski Resort, or just Breck, is perenially one of North America's top 2 most visited ski resorts, and is located in Summit County, Colorado in the town of Breckenridge...
in Colorado.
Designs after the merger
Leitner Poma has consistently been changing their designs. Here are the designs after the merger.- Detachable
- Terminals
- Phatboy Terminal
- Omega Terminal (?-2011)
- LPA Terminal (2010-current)
- Grips
- Omega T-Grip (?-2011)
- LPA Grip (2010-current)
- Carriers
- Omega Carrier
- Terminals
- Fixed Grip
- Terminals
- Alpha Terminal (Drive)
- Z-Type (Return)
- N/A (Return)
- Carriers
- Omega Carrier
- Terminals