GERSTLAUER AMUSEMENT RIDES GMBH - WORLD LEADER IN PRODUCTION OF ATTRACTIONS

Gerstlauer Amusement Rides GmbH in Münsterhausen is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of amusement rides. Whether it’s a spectacular roller coaster or an energy-saving Ferris wheel, no customer request becomes ordinary. The priority is reliability and safety. That’s why Gerstlauer uses cables from LAPP. The world market leader in communications systems offers a very flexible and reliable solution for online stores.

A pleasant, sunny afternoon in the Bavarian-Swabian town of Münsterhausen. A swallow flies over the large courtyard to a place in the canopy of the production workshop. The forklifts are stay still; It’s lunchtime. Anyone who looks at this company from the outside, through the main gate, might think: a completely normal manufacturing company. What the passerby doesn’t see are the tens of tons of long steel rails that lie in heaps behind the hall with swallows and wait for their destination – the roller coaster cars will rush at crazy speed along steep slopes and turn their stomachs on their hinges, giving its passengers real pleasure.

Whether in Europe, the USA, Asia, Africa or Australia, those who like visiting amusement parks have most likely unknowingly encountered Gerstlauer. For example, on a ride in the Golden Rusher, a roller coaster and in the Tatzmania Zoo in Loffingen. The company of 100 people is a true hidden champion of international importance. Gerstlauer realizes ambitious and record-breaking customer wishes: in Japan there is a Gerstlauer roller coaster with the steepest descent in the world and a total distance of more than 1000 meters. And in one of Germany’s largest amusement parks there is one attraction that is the first in the world to offer a free fall backwards.

Gerstlauer is currently building the world’s first “green”, that is, particularly energy-efficient Ferris wheel. A recovery system for braking energy supplies an energy store for the electric drive, which noticeably improves the energy balance of the Ferris wheel. “For us, this project is as exciting as a spectacular roller coaster,” says Erwin Heider, head of the Electronics Department. “Each trip takes us for several months. This ranges from computer simulations and construction in Münsterhausen to assembly and commissioning on site. And when it turns out that everything is completely assembled, it fills me with pride every time. This work is truly enjoyable”.

There is only one thing that makes the people of Münsterhausen not happy at all: “We transport people and want to give them pleasure, so we do not compromise on reliability and safety”, says Erwin Haider with a suddenly very serious look. “Our attractions have been in use for over 20 years and must always function, seven days a week.” Gerstlauer therefore places high demands on the quality of its suppliers. The unusual company contracts not with the cheapest supplier, but with the one they can rely on.

“This is why we rely mainly on local suppliers from southern Germany,” says Erwin Heider. “The reasons are high quality, as well as the development of close personal relationships in spatial proximity. This is important to us because it creates long-term partnerships where both parties focus on consistency and reliability”. This also applies to cable routing. Gerstlauer has relied on LAPP’s wide range of products for over ten years and sources everything from servo motor and control cables to data cables. Gerstlauer needs cables that meet all standards, can withstand all weather conditions and provide long-term functionality for travel used internationally. For example, the VDE-registered oil-resistant PVC control cable ÖLFLEX® CLASSIC 110 and the shielded servo cable for ultra-dynamic use in energy circuits ÖLFLEX®SERVO FD 796 CP from LAPP play a central role in the installation of the Gold Rusher in Tatzmania Park.

Equally important: when building special plants, as in the case of Gerstlauer, there are practically no purchases. Each project has its own requirements, to which LAPP, as a supplier, must respond quickly and reliably. That’s why Gerstlauer makes purchases through the LAPP online store. “Gerstlauer is one of our most important customers in the digital environment”, says Manuel Richter, Digital Sales Manager at LAPP. “For this reason, it goes without saying that we completely adapt our processes to the specific needs of our clients.

Using a smartphone, Gerstlauer employees can access the online store’s mobile website from anywhere in the world – even from the construction site if there is a change of plans at short notice and it becomes clear that more or different cables are needed. “We rarely know 100% what will happen on a construction site,” explains Erwin Heider. “It’s important that we can respond quickly and flexibly and have partners who support us equally”. To order a cable, just scan the barcode. The LAPP online store displays the product and its availability immediately and without confusion. LAPP pre-numbers the ordered cable drums for its customers and delivers them to any desired location, usually the next day, including even weekends. This eliminates the need for Gerstlauer to make detours through the central purchasing department. “This package of services saves the client’s internal resources and allows him/her to fully concentrate on the attractions,” reports Manuel Richter. 

“My field service colleague Hermann Robl also advises Gerstlauer on the optimal solutions on site,” continues Manuel Richter. “From the point of view the modern digital distribution channel, the personal relationships are not neglected, quite the contrary. Erwin Haider emphasizes: “LAPP covers all our needs thanks to comprehensive delivery reliability and an order process that is optimal for us. That’s exactly what we want from a supplier.” Manuel Richter is also enthusiastic about the cooperation: “At Gerstlauer, our cables make dreams come true that make people’s hearts beat faster. And we notice that we completely satisfy our clients with our ordering and delivery process”. The digital sales expert sees the future in such customer-specific solutions. For Gerstlauer, this is already the present with LAPP.