Metallbau Emmeln

Description

Founded in 1968 in Haren, Lower Saxony, Metallbau Emmeln traces its origins to a pivotal moment when co-founders Ernst Thünemann, Fritz Herbers, and Hermann Lohmann established the company after their former employer's insolvency. What began as a manufacturer of metal playground structures and small vehicles for excursion restaurants, including the Motor Scooter and Mini-Railway models still produced today, gradually evolved into a supplier serving the amusement and theme park industry as demand for metal playground equipment declined and the concept of fixed amusement parks arrived from the United States in the 1970s. Over the following decades, Metallbau Emmeln expanded its product range to encompass a broad spectrum of fairground and park attractions. The company's catalogue includes round rides, swing ships, dark rides, water slides, carousels, and horse tracks, with completed installations documented at venues such as Efteling, Europa-Park, Liseberg, Toverland, Plopsaland De Panne, Hansa-Park, Duinrell, and Paultons Park, among others. Deliveries span from the late 1970s through to 2025, reflecting a sustained presence across European parks over multiple generations of attraction procurement. Beyond ride manufacturing, the company developed two additional business lines over time. Access systems, initially mechanical exit turnstiles for amusement parks, were later evolved into barcode-operated units integrated with cash register systems. A separate container manufacturing division, producing customized metal units for industrial and infrastructure clients, was established as a parallel mainstay alongside the core attractions business.