Zamperla

Description

Founded by Antonio Zamperla in Altavilla Vicentina in 1966, the Italian group has grown from a regional manufacturer into one of the most broadly active ride producers in the global amusement industry. Over the course of nearly six decades, the company has developed a portfolio spanning roller coasters, flat rides, kiddie rides, thrill rides, and water attractions, with 368 coasters built worldwide as of 2022 and a current catalog of nine distinct attraction types documented in industry databases. Zamperla's engineering output covers a deliberately wide spectrum. Rather than concentrating exclusively on record-breaking steel coasters, the company has built its reputation on a diverse range of systems designed for mass production, ease of transport, and broad age-group accessibility. Its flat ride lineup includes well-known models such as the Disk'O, Air Race, Power Surge, and Tornado, while its coaster catalogue ranges from powered family circuits like the Dragon Coaster and Volare to high-intensity projects at the opposite end of the scale. The latter category is exemplified by Top Thrill 2 at Cedar Point in Ohio, developed in collaboration with the park and opened in 2024 as the world's tallest and fastest triple-launch coaster, reaching 420 feet and a top speed of 120 miles per hour. The company's operational footprint reflects decades of international expansion. A permanent North American presence was established as early as 1976, followed by offices in Manila, Dubai, and China. In 1992, Zamperla supplied seven of the twelve attractions delivered for the opening of Disneyland Paris. In 2010, the group, through its partnership with Central Amusement International, took over the restoration and operation of Luna Park at Coney Island in New York, installing an all-Zamperla ride lineup that included the inaugural Air Race model. The group also owns and operates Minitalia Leolandia in Italy, acquired in 2007, and developed Luna Farm, which opened in 2020 as Italy's first fully accessible amusement park. On the recognition front, founder Antonio Zamperla was inducted into the IAAPA Hall of Fame in 2005 as the first Italian honoree in that program, with CEO Alberto Zamperla following in 2019.