WIR 02/2018 [EN]

© Bayerische Zugspitzbahn Bergbahn AG-Max Prechtel
Doppelmayr/Garaventa Group
Change in top
management at
Garaventa
István Szalai is handing over his duties
as CEO to Garaventa’s current COO, Arno
Inauen. This will ensure continuity at the
Swiss ropeway company.
27
Garaventa is
always looking to
recruit qualified
people for all areas
of the company
Funiculars and aerial tramways wow passengers
worldwide: on snow-covered mountains, in theme
parks or as a means of transport in cities.
Based in Switzerland
Despite its many international projects, Garaventa
has solid roots in Switzerland. The company
headquarter is located in Rotkreuz, with
further sites in Goldau, Uetendorf and Sion.
Garaventa employs some 390 people and is
currently training 28 apprentices. “Our employees
are key to our success,” says István
Szalai. “A strong focus on promoting employee
know-how is therefore one of our central values.
That’s the only way to enable innovations.
Our colleagues value the excellent working atmosphere
and the team spirit within the company.
We treat people with respect, whether
they are customers or co-workers. The team
openly addresses any problems and works together
to solve them. That makes it easier for
Garaventa to identify and leverage opportunities
for improvement.” |
“Our passion for
building ropeways is
clearly visible in each
of our installations.”
István Szalai,
CEO, Garaventa AG
István Szalai and Arno Inauen
After ten years as Garaventa’s CEO, István
Szalai has taken the decision to pass on
his role to a new pair of hands at an early
stage. This will take effect from April 1,
2018: “A decade ago and at an ideal age,
I was given the opportunity to take over the
reins at Garaventa during an exciting time
and to shape the company during a tenyear
period. This is precisely the opportunity
that I would now like to give my successor.”
During his time as CEO, István Szalai was
instrumental in consolidating Garaventa’s
position as competence center for reversible
aerial tramways and funiculars as well as for
complex rope installation work not just on
the Swiss market but also in the international
arena. As chairman of Garaventa’s board of
directors, he will retain some operational duties
and continue to play a management role
within the Doppelmayr/Garaventa Group.
The new CEO, Arno Inauen, has in-depth
knowledge of the business. He holds a degree
in engineering from ETH Zurich as well
as in business administration. Within the
ropeway industry he possesses an excellent
network of contacts and is an acknowledged
expert in his field. He has held the
post of COO at Garaventa since 2012. The
new CEO is looking forward to his new role:
“I feel totally energized and extremely fortunate
to be continuing the great work of my
predecessor and leading Garaventa toward
a successful future.” |
“Innovation, reliability and quality will continue
to be the hallmarks of the Garaventa brand.”
Arno Inauen, new CEO of Garaventa