Company
The World of Bartholet
Bartholet Ropeways AG, headquartered in Flums, Switzerland, is a globally leading company specializing in ropeway systems, mechanical engineering, and lighting solutions. A highly qualified team of more than 350 employees, together with state-of-the-art infrastructure, ensures the efficient and customer-specific execution of complex projects. For over 60 years, Bartholet Ropeways AG has been designing and constructing ropeways in mountain regions and, increasingly, in urban environments. At Bartholet, innovative ideas and the development of new, future-oriented products are given top priority.
Bartholet by the numbers
Our Identity
Bartholet Ropeways AG stands for premium Swiss quality, innovative thinking, and a distinctive design language reflected in all our products. We create movement and connections – between people, places, and experiences. Our work is defined by expertise, agility, and a spirit of partnership that leaves a lasting impression. We take responsibility toward our customers, employees, suppliers, and society as a matter of principle. Safety, precision, and a professional quality management system ensure proven Swiss excellence down to the smallest detail. At the same time, we act with respect for resources, develop environmentally conscious solutions, and maintain sustainable processes that safeguard the long-term value of our projects. Through innovative technologies, we combine efficiency and quality – delivering products that forge meaningful connections between people, places, and experiences.
Our Responsibility
We are committed to supporting our region, promoting local clubs and athletic talent, with a particular focus on winter sports. In addition, our in-house training workshop educates 30 apprentices across seven different professional disciplines. Bartholet Ropeways AG is also the largest employer in Flums.
The History of Bartholet
The history of Bartholet Ropeways AG in Flums began as a one-man operation and is marked by continuous growth. A closer look reveals the foundation of this success story: a Swiss family-owned company deeply rooted in its region and steadily evolving over time.
Anton Bartholet founded the company. What started as a small workshop gradually developed into a significant production operation.
Through consistent expansion and new partnerships, the company’s current structure was established in 1997 under the leadership of Roland Bartholet, the second generation, comprising around 350 employees working in eleven production halls at the Flums site.
At the beginning of the 2024 fiscal year, Markus Menzi and Mathias Meier took over the management of the company. This succession ensures that future generations can continue to build on a proven foundation of success.
How do you divide responsibilities within the co-management structure?
Markus Menzi: «Our collaboration is defined by mutual respect and a shared understanding of the company’s objectives. We leverage different perspectives to make well-grounded decisions and maintain regular, transparent communication – both with each other and with the entire team.»
Mathias Meier: «The foundation of our joint work is based on clear responsibilities, mutual trust and open communication. Each person assumes specific tasks, while strategic decisions are taken jointly in order to systematically further develop the company.»
1962
Company founded by Anton Bartholet
1976
First reversible aerial tramway: Schönhalden
1977
First new ski lift installations in the Sarganserland region
1979
Construction of the Lax production hall
1981
First 2-seater chairlift (Crappa–Twärchamm, SG). This was the first chairlift to be approved by the Federal Office of Transport
1984
First Bartholet chair developed
1989
First international contract in Sweden: Skikarussell series
1994
First heavy-duty transport ropeway (6 tonnes payload)
1996
First white-water ride (South Korea)
1997
Acquisition of the Lochriet workshop facility
2005
Development of the first large reversible aerial tramway Chur–Känzeli (CH)
2006
First monorail system (Bahrain)
2007
First detachable chairlift in Val d’Isère (FR)
2010
Bartholet at the World Expo in Shanghai
2012
Commissioning of Switzerland’s most modern manufacturing centre with a turning diameter of 6 meters and a machining length of 14 meters
2012
First 6-seater chairlift in «Design by Porsche Design Studio» in Laax
2014
Acquisition of Gangloff Cabins: Bartholet becomes a full-service provider in the ropeway industry
2015
First 8-seater gondola lift in Lenzerheide (CH)
2016
World first in Brest: the cabins cross one another vertically instead of side by side
2018
Construction of the new Panorama Hall in Flums for gondola assembly and showroom
2018
Commissioning of the largest carousel turning machine with an 8-meter diameter in Flums
2019
First 10-seater gondola lift in Narvik (NO)
2021
Inauguration of the detachment facility in Flums
2021
Expansion of the Walenstadt production site
2022
Bartholet becomes part of the HTI Group
2023
First gondola lift in Uzbekistan
2023
The first RopeTaxi installation in Flims
2024
Company management handed over to Markus Menzi and Mathias Meier
2026
India’s first urban ropeway in Varanasi