magazine - TechnoAlpin
Transcription
magazine - TechnoAlpin
1- 05 MAGAZINE For the last 15 years: Always one step ahead Simply perfect The new A9 lance A champion is made, not born Bormio 2005: perfect conditions, even without natural snow Deeply rooted yet flexible Both feet have to be firmly planted on the ground to be able to raise your arms to the sky: 15 years of TechnoAlpin Without borders The home court advantage in every corner of the planet Cover picture: The revolutionary head of the A9 TechnoAlpin AG/Spa - Kopernikusstraße 6 A - I-39100 Bozen / Via Copernico, 6 A - I-39100 Bolzano - Tel. +39 (0471) 550 550 - Fax +39 (0471) 200 441 - info@technoalpin.com Austria GmbH - Stadlweg 25 - A-6020 Innsbruck - Tel. +43 (0512) 341 501 - Fax +43 (0512) 341 501-4 info@technoalpin.at Deutschland GmbH - Unterfeldring 27 - D-85256 Pasenbach - Tel. +49 (08139) 995 225 - Fax +49 (08139) 995 226 info@technoalpin.de Schweiz AG - Aschoren - Postfach 43 - CH-6454 Flüelen - Tel. +41 (0)41 874 50 00 - Fax +41 (0) 41 874 50 05 - info@technoalpin.ch France S.A.R.L. - 46 A Chemin du Moulin Carron - F-69570 Dardilly / Lyon - Tel. +33 (0) 437 497 959 - Fax +33 (0) 437 490 022 info@technoalpin.fr Canada, Snow Experts Inc. - Box 42 Pemberton BC - Canada VON 2LO - Tel. +1 (604) 219 8240 - Fax +1 (604) 894 9450 technoalpin@telus.net USA Inc. - 2065 Mahre Dr. - Park City - Utah 84098 - Tel. +1 (435) 649 6610 - Fax +1 (435) 649 7572 - info@technoalpin.us East Europe s.r.o. - Riečna 31 - 01004 Zilina - Slowakische Republik - Tel. +421 (41) 700 2644-5 - Fax +421 (41) 700 2646 - technoalpin@technoalpin.sk Alex - Sofia - Bulgaria - Casli SA - División Nieve - Madrid - Spain - Glassey s/a - Martigny - Switzerland - Hae in Commerce Co., Inc. - Seoul - Korea Monte N. Nulikas & Co. - Veria - Greece - Kessu OY - Helsinki - Finland - Skiare Pty Ltd - Brisbane - Australia - Snowtech AB - Sunne - Sweden TechnoAlpin - Brasov - Romania - TechnoAlpin Liaison Office - Tokyo - Japan - Tehnounion - Ljubljana - Slovenia - TechnoAlpin Russia - Moscow - Russia COLOPHON: Host: © TechnoAlpin AG/Spa · Via Copernico / Kopernikusstr. 6 A · 39100 Bolzano/Bozen · Alto Adige/Südtirol/South Tyrol · Italia/Italien/Italy Tel. +39 0471 550 550 · Fax +39 0471 200 441 · info@technoalpin.com · www.technoalpin.com · Concept and content: Dott.ssa Irmi Prader · Editing: TechnoAlpin Graphic design: dv media, Bressanone · Print: Satzzentrum, Bressanone · Reprints permitted provided the source is indicated and with prior approval by the host. CONTENTS TECHNOLOGY PRACTICE LIFE 15 YEARS WORLDWIDE The new A9 Perfect technology for your progress Adapting instead of replacing The XE valve with countless combinations Efficiency = M12 system Combinding resources 4 5 6 World Ski Championships Bormio 2005 Superb performance Looking at autumn End of season operations 7 9 World Ski Championships Bormio 2005 The main event of the season Meeting friends TechnoAlpin‘s trade show calendar 2005 Knowledge makes the difference Technical training and site visits 11 12 12 Down-to-earth and flexibility The snow experts‘ keys to success 14 Home court advantage! Always at your service! TechnoAlpin‘s international team 18 20 Continuity and progress Always look to the future to leave a mark upon the world. If in the last 15 years TechnoAlpin has become the world market leader in the snowmaking, this is thanks to the trust which you, friends and customers, have placed in the snow experts and their technology. This means a lot to us and is stimulating us to continue with enthusiasm every day. The last year, we have worked very hard to develop new solutions able to offer more advantages in terms of efficiency, price, snow quality and quantity. Our efforts have resulted in the development of the new A9V snow lance, XE valve and M12, which are described at page 4 onwards. Leaving a mark upon the world, being one step ahead of others and managing to maintain this lead in the future: these factors are all closely related to the depth and flexibility of the company. This is why we like to remember the beginning and the present through a photo album remembering, in particular, the event that took place last winter: the Alpine World Ski Championships, organised by FIS in Bormio, where TechnoAlpin were the official supplier. Eng. Canclini, the technical and snowmaking director, will take us on a “behind-the-scenes” tour. A strong territorial tie and the will to always look ahead are values also shared by our staff. Indeed, it is our staff who make the difference, who help us shaping our and your success. We are pleased to introduce the people and organisation behind TechnoAlpin. Your trust is our motivation for the future! TechnoAlpin‘s management board Erich Gummerer Walter Rieder Georg Eisath 2 3 TECHNOLOGY Photo: A9 lance head · A9 in the Dolomites and Bormio Simply perfect! TechnoAlpin’s state-of-the-art A9 snow lance is capable of operating at extreme temperatures and withstanding highly variable wind conditions, as well as producing excellent snow quality. Just like great athletes have to keep training to achieve top results, the TechnoAlpin engineers are continually striving to improve the snow lances. The A9 aims to gain the number one ranking in its market place. The most obvious feature of the A9 is its rounded head, which is a one-piece aluminium casting, containing 8 fixed water nozzles, 6 adjustable water nozzles and nucleators. “The essentials are invisible to the eye”. With this quote from Saint-Exupery we can also describe the outstanding feature inside the lance head: a special antifreeze system that protects it even in extreme conditions. The innovative nozzles feature greater with wind resistance and coverage area. Furthermore, the new nozzles feature increased throw that has positive effect on the crystallisation process, and therefore on the improved snow quality Even the mechanical structure confirms unambiguously the overall high quality of the A9: the lance pipe is made of aluminium, and the pluiting has been raised higher to improve the integration of the control panel and devices on the structure. Space requirements have been reduced, making the A9 even more compact. Because of this the A9 offers greater wind and freezing resistance, increased throw range, enhanced snow quality, ideal control of the snow coverage area, overall weight reduction and excellent operation. Ernst Thurnes, Serfaus (AUT) ski area manager comments: “I’ve been using ten A9 units for 3 months and I’m very satisfied. They don’t freeze and I can assure you that this is a totally new feature for a snow lance, considering the extremely variable wind conditions and very cold water (33° F). Furthermore, the snow quality is exceptional. It’s a very successful product. I can assure you, because I’ve tried many other products. TECHNOLOGY Photo: The XE valve blends in with its surrounding environment with the ease of a chameleon. The adaptable world champion! Flexible with an excellent quality/price ratio! These are some of the unbeatable features of Techno Alpin‘s newest generation of connection points: the XE valve. The XE valve has been designed to provide a modular system with a great price, capable of adapting to customers needs and integrated in existing solutions. The result is a easy to handle and compact valve, which can be opened and closed manually or electrically. The most important advantage, however, is the possibility to change from one operating mode to another at any time, without having to modify the valve. Small ski areas usually start off with a few mobile units (manual or automatic) and the manual XE valves. Later the installation is gradually extended, automated or replaced by fixed snow guns. An XE motor can be attached to the XE valve easily and quickly without having to make any modification, or if the installation is using the E motor, it can be connected to the valve as well. The XE motor valve, for stationary installation inside the shelter, offers the highest level of automation currently available. Construction: The XE valve body consists of the proven conical closure and seat system, water inlet and outlet and a fine thread spindle, delivering precise water flow adjustments. The val- ve can be activated outside the shelter with a value extension. The spindle is provided with an adapter plate that serves as support and guide for the drive unit. The XE valve can be operated in three modes: manually, by locking the lever in the up position, electrically, by means of the E motor, or using the new light XE motor. XE valve with XE motor: light, flexible and versitile The XE motor is the evolution of the E motor, offering a light structure, ease of use and functionality. The structural elements have been assembled with a special technique that has reduced the weight by more than the half. The XE valve with fixed XE motor and camlock fitting can be transferred from one shelter to another and used to adjust water pressure. In this case, the connection need an isolation valve. The complete XE valve may be used for a few mobile units with many connection points. For fixed installations, we recomand that each shelter is equipped with the XE valve, which can be activated by the existing E motor or XE motor. TechnoAlpin’s XE valve represents an important improvement in terms of flexibility, simplicity and cost. 4 5 TECHNOLOGY Photo: M12 automatic Efficiency = M12 system Efficiency = performance / input. The M12 system, the latest star in the M class family, maximises this ratio, due to its central air supply and centralised controls. In terms of turbine structure, the M12 system fits perfectly in the M class range. The reliable and tested TechnoAlpin technologies, such as the Quadrijet nozzles, special nozzle ring, external turbine motor, etc. are all present in the M12 system. The M12 system has been designed for the mounting on all common tower and arm constructions. The M12 is also available as automatic or manual version, on tower, on arm or as mobile version. M12 technical data Total height Working height Weight snow generator Fan engine Min. water pressure Max. water pressure Fixed nozzles Variable nozzles Nucleators 5,25 m (207’’) 4,5 m (177’’) 450 kg (990 lb) 9 kW 8 bar (120 PSI) 40/50 bar (600/750 PSI) 4 8 4 Technical data referring to model M12 system on 3 m (10 ’ - lift). Our primary goal in all our work is to enhance efficiency. There are two ways to achieve it: either increasing performance using the same input, or reducing the input while maintaining the same performance. With the M12, TechnoAlpin offers a completely new solution, which does not sacrifice performance or quality of materials, but redistributes the existing resources, thus drastically reducing costs. These resources are air and controls. The M12 system features centralised air supply; therefore, the machine does not require a stand-alone compressor. Furthermore, the machine is controlled by a centralised control unit, so the snow generator does not require another control panel. With the new M12 system, TechnoAlpin has focused on the mixed installation segment, in order to meet the needs of customers who require a small, compact fan gun that can be used where the snow lance is not enough, where wind conditions limit the use of snow lances and where huge guns on tower are not necessary. The M12 system can be easily integrated in a centralised lance installation or used alone. PRACTICE Photo: Eng. Canalini, “...whereas the guarantee of the snow is of fundamental importance for the success of the event.” Bormio 2005 a challenge won brilliantly Bormio 2005 will be remembered as THE World Championships without a single flake of natural snow. Eng. Pasquale Canclini, technical director and slope manager at Bormio, tells us how this problem was overcome and hew the races were held in the best conditions possible. A month after the World Championships in Bormio, in retrospect, what do you think of it? P.C.: A lot has been said and written on the organisational aspects. But what we remember are the exciting races held on perfect runs, even though there wasn‘t a single flake of natural snow. This confirms what I‘ve always believed: the essential element in an event of this level is the guarantee of snow. If, for example, a ski lift stops, a helicopter can take the athletes to the start gate. But if there are flowers in bloom on the run, there will not be a ski race. What was the hardest challenge to face in these Championships? P.C.: The preparation works were a very difficult challenge. The paste was frenetic as we had very little time to prepare a snowmaking installation of extraordinary dimensions. Then, last fall Mother Nature brought us face to face with the most difficult challenge: extreme warm temperatures throughout December and the big moment was nearing soon. However, we never doubted for a minute that we would have managed to prepare the runs perfectly. On the contrary! On 29th December 2004, about a month before the beginning of the Championships, with the Men‘s World Cup race, we showed the world for the first time what my snowmaking team and our TechnoAlpin installation are capable of: we produced 100,000 m3 (3,6 million cubic feet) of snow in less than 48 hours with a wet bulb temperature of -2° FK (28° F)! What investments were made for the World Championship? P.C.: Bormio has been working with snowmaking installations since 1982. The first high pressure snowmaking line (1 km, 1.600 feet) was installed by Larchmont. In 1984, a high-pressure Valteco system was installed along the Stelvio course, for the World Championships for the following year. In 1988, Lenko machines were used, and between 1990 and 2000, the pipeline was extended and the pumping capacitiy was increased. In 2000, when Bormio was chosen for the World Championships in 2005, the SIB (Società Impianti di Bormio - Bormio Installation Company) announced an investment of 30,000,000 Euro (38.615.000 US Dollar) in this ski area, 8,000,000 Euro (10.240.000 US Dollar) of which were for the snowmaking system. 6 7 Photo: Perfect snow conditions, and not only on the race slopes. The next step was to “entrust” this huge sum to the best snowmaking experts in the market. To be sure of our choice we conducted numerous tests for two entire seasons. We based our choice on the following criteria: a mixed installation, with guns capable of operating at extreme warm temperatures, a reliable and flexible structure and excellent customer service capable of taking rapid action, all this provided by a leading company. We tested the snow generators of Lenko, Nivis, Snowstar, Sufag, TechnoAlpin, Wacht and York, taking into account operating capabilities at extreme temperatures, water capacity, snow quality, weight and sun resistance. Results showed that only TechnoAlpin installations were capable of constantly producing high quality snow, even at +2° C (34° F). We therefore immediately started to extend the installation with the help of TechnoAlpin. A comparison between the previous and present performance: Pumping capacity Water tanks Pipeline Compr. air network Connection points Snow generators 1982 30 l/sec 2005 120 l/sec (475 GPM) (1.900 GPM) 1.700 m3 13.000 m3 (61.200 cubic feet) (468.000 cubic feet) 1 km (3.400’) 1 km (3.400’) 20 16 25 km (85.000’) 20 km (68.000’) 300 160 Do you think that this expansion has been repaid? P.C.: Absolutely (and laughs as he says it). When the installation was completed, I thought that the installation was exaggerated with respect to the needs and that we would never have used its potential completely. But I was wrong! Today I‘m fully satisfied with this installation. We would never have managed without it. For the World Cup at the end of December we produced approximately 100,000 m3 (3,6 million cubic feet) of snow in 48 hours, and then 300,000 m3 (10,8 million cubic feet) for the World Championships, working at extreme warm temperatures for about 70% of the time. But a perfect Stelvio course was not enough for us, we wanted to offer optimal snow conditions to our guests too. So we prepared the other runs with other 300,000 m3 (10,8 million cubic feet) of snow, and they are still now (March, 11th 2005, Editor‘s Note) in perfect conditions. All this considering that Bormio was the Italian ski area with the least snow, according to the website www.skiinfo.it. Throughout the winter season, we didn‘t receive more than 50 cm (20’’) of natural snow at 2,000 m (6.600 feet) of altitude. What was FIS‘s opinion ? P.C.: The FIS representatives were very pleased with the snow conditions of the Stelvio course. I wish to thank all my snowmaking technicians, a great team with 23 (!!) years of experience in the field, together with TechnoAlpin, they did an excellent job! What advice can you give after the experience of the World Championships? P.C.: An event of this scale is the combination of many factors. However, many of these factors are secondary, whereas the guarantee of snow is of fundamental importance for the success of the event. My advice is to choose the right snowmaking partner. In this case, “right” means reliable from every point of view and able to ensure an excellent and punctual service. With TechnoAlpin, I made the right choice. Photo: End of season operations (Davos-Jacobshorn, SUI) Plunge into summer What do a diver and a snow-making manager have in common? For both, the performance ends with a brilliant splash. Completing the end-of-season operations with care and precision means saving precious time in the fall. The snowmaking season is over and the first installations are being prepared for the summer break. If spring operations are performed with care, the new winter season will start-up more smoothly. The snow experts‘ Customer Care department recommends the following operations. General operations: Disconnect all parts from the power supply to avoid damage caused by lightning. Switching off, however, is not sufficient: disconnect all plugs and cables, including the ground connection. Pump station: • Disconnect all analog and digital inputs and out puts, including the control panel • Switch off and disconnect the following components: pressure transmitter, current meter, flowmeter, soft starts, converters, amplifier, automatic switch, safety switch... • Disconnect the ground conductors • Perform maintenance on the pump station as described in the manual Pipelines and Hydrants: • Disconnect all repeaters, hydromats and heating system Snow generators: • Clean dirty nozzles (tip: use vinegar to remove lime deposits!) • Check nucleators • Clean water and air filters • Check the heating system • Check for water leakage • Verify the integrity and noise levels of all mechanical moving parts • Perform pressure tests on water hoses • Dry and coil up water hoses • Cover fixed installations with green covers Our Customer Care team is at your service for any information you may require. Customer Care Hotline +39 0471 550534 8 9 growag Mit Sicherheit aus guten Händen GROWAG, A TEXTILE COMPANY WITH TRADITION. Few companies deal with woven products outside the textile industry. Growag Feuerwehrtechnik AG of Grosswangen (Switzerland), founded back in 1886, took immediate advantage of this factor, leaving the competition “in the dust”. The textile department, the heart of the company Thousands of kilometres of white thread are processed in the twisting and weaving areas, where the yarns are twisted and knotted. Everything literally hangs by a very fine thread. First of all, the thread is fed into the twisting loom where it is twisted with 2 to 12 other threads. Then the reels of thread are sent to the weaving area where they are fitted on one of the five looms. Each of these machines is capable of producing up to 100 metres (335 feet) of tubular fabric per day, with different diameter and quality. This translates into an approximate annual production of over 300,000 metres (630 miles). Depending on the use (fire fighting, snowmaking or other industrial applications), the end product is vulcanized in the rubbing area (binding under steam pressure). One thousand and one uses From fire fighting to snowmaking, industry to agriculture and the army, the uses for Growag hoses are virtually endless. For example, Growag hoses have also been used for the Ariane IV and V launchers. In good hands Reliability is an essential condition in the snowmaking sector. Our snow hoses feature a maximum operating pressure of 64 bar (928 PSI, official test data). Growag hoses and a TechnoAlpin installation: a perfect solution ensuring maximum safety. LIFE Photo above: Swiss horn players in Bormio (in the picture, Bormio 3000) Photos on the left: Delegation from Bansko · The entrance to the World Championships stadium · Group photo of our friends from Americans and Greece · Our friends from Spain TechnoAlpin at the World Championships in Bormio – Some highlights • TechnoAlpin invited about 200 customers from Italy, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, USA, Canada, Sweden, Norway, Bulgaria, Romania, Slovenia, Croatia and Greece, who spent a few exciting days in Bormio and South Tyrol. • TechnoAlpin snow was used for 11 out of 19 World Championship events. • 160 TechnoAlpin snow generators produced 700.000 m3 (25,2 million cubic feet) of snow, ensuring perfect snow conditions on the “Stelvio” course and all over the ski area. • Gold medal winner Bode Miller celebrated the victory with a group of South Tyrolean TechnoAlpin customers. 10 11 TechnoAlpin trade shows, 2005 “Winter is not a season, it‘s an occupation.” Sinclair Lewis, Nobel Prize in Literature 1 INTERALPIN, Innsbruck, April 6th - 8th Come and visit us! We are in Hall 2 A, Stand 2A 00. 2 NSAA Scottsdale / Arizona: May 19th - 22nd 3 Ski & Board Salon, Moscow: November 3rd - 5th March 2005: Visitors from China, Iran, USA, Canada, France, Spain and Russia are updated on the latest snowmaking technology in the TechnoAlpin Headquarter. December 2004: TechnoAlpin & Kässbohrer: technical training days on Mount Arber in Germany 130 installation managers, snowmaking and slope managers participated in a “field” information meeting at the beginning of December. The meeting addressed the following: snow quality in all fields of application (speaker: Georg Eisath, President of TechnoAlpin), new directives related to cablecar transport (speaker: Günter Troy, Doppelmayr sales manager for Germany), safety at work in the snowmaking sector (speaker: Arno Schweiger, safety at work expert), PistenBully application fields (speaker: Wolfgang Lutz, Kässbohrer area sales manager) and fun park planning and building (speaker: Reto Sporrer, Lionhead Consulting). TechnoAlpin: official technological partner with the “German Ski Federation”. From this year, two fully automatic, mobile M20 propeller-driven machines support the Deutscher Skiverband (German Ski Federation) in the World Cup and training of young athletes. The German National Alpine team with Georg Eisath (President of TechnoAlpin) and Harry Gall (CEO of TechnoAlpin Germany) during delivery at Ingolstadt. A unique image for Techno Alpin‘s international sales team TechnoAlpin‘s uniqueness and strength lie not only in its new products but also in its image, by using the same ski clothing all over the world. 12 13 March 2005, Saalbach-Hinterglemm (AUT): 40 Italian customers enthusiastic about the location of the World Championships 1991. Highly successful debut of the World Cup Sljeme, 20th January 2005: Žiljak Drago, manager of the Sljeme ski area, is fully satisfied with the results: “The slope was very compact, but not icy, and according to the FIS, it could have withstood many more races. Notwithstanding the extreme weather conditions in December and at the beginning of January, with a temperature of -1° C (29° F) and air humidity of 60 - 70% (!), thanks to our TechnoAlpin installation (21 mobile M18s, 12 snow lances, pump station with a rate of 70 l/sec (1.106 GPM), ATASS management system), we managed to produce top quality snow. Our first World Cup slalom was a great success!” 15 YEARS TechnoAlpin: 15 years of growing success! TechnoAlpin has marked 15 years of growing success in the technical snow-making market worldwide. In this interview, Georg Eisath, TechnoAlpin’s President and founder, tells us how a small South Tyrolean company managed to become a leader in the international snow-making field. And that’s how it all started... G.E.: As managers of the Obereggen ski area, Walter Rieder and I weren’t at all satisfied with the existing technical snow-making solutions. That’s why, in 1983, we decided to work on the development and production of snow generators. The years between 1988 and 1990 were decisive, as they were years with very little snow: we were under pressure by our customers and no longer able to satisfy all the requirements. Already at that time, we offered a complete range of products, from snow-making systems, complete with accessories, to shelters, hydrants, and pump stations. However, due to the growing demand, we had to face the decision: to be a professional company or continue along the same path as before. We chose the first solution and that’s how TechnoAlpin started... The “TechnoAlpin” brand G.E.: The company’s name is a combination of terms that Walter Rieder and I chose to define the most important aspects of our work: technology, mountains and the Alps. TechnoAlpin is the combination we liked most. The key role of our staff in the process from a local company to world leader in the sector G.E.: The main goals have remained the same: 1) to create an organisation that is able to offer stability and flexibility at the same time; 2) to increase turnover and make TechnoAlpin known worldwide. Our staff is and has always been the backbone of the company. We have always focused on highly qualified, flexible young staff (45% is under 30), who has contributed significantly to the success of our company worldwide. Another decisive factor positively influencing sales has been the successful combination of reliable products and first-class service, from the planning phase to after-sales service. The growing demand in the world market has constituted a most important challenge for all of us: our goal was to expand towards international markets while simultaneously consolidating the company’s position at a local level, that is without ignoring important commercial areas such as Austria, Switzerland, France, Germany or North America. We took on the challenge and considering the results, I can only say that we won it, too! Down-to-earth: the real strength of the snow experts G.E.: Unlike other companies in our field that, thanks to improvisation and sales skills, rapidly appeared in the market and just as rapidly disappeared, our company has consolidated its position in the market and stands out for its natural, “down-to earth” character. Our motto is safety: we offer tested technologies and excellent service. By choosing us, customers can rely on a company that will continue to provide the best support even in ten years’ time. “Stability” is achieved by taking small, wellconsidered steps rather than a giant, risky leap: in our team, which works on a worldwide basis with excellent results, there is no place for lack of professionalism and approximation. Complete installations: the next challenge in the technical snow-making market G.E.: In the last few years, the technical snow-making market has gained a major role, becoming even more important than the ropeway-market. The entire snowmaking sector is dominated by four major companies. Competition, therefore, is very strong. The most critical aspects are no doubt automation and the construction of complete turnkey installations. Alpine ski races will continue to push the technical snowmaking sector, as we have already seen in the last ten years. That’s why I think it’s time to start talking about it. M90, Cortina, Valzoldana, Falcade: Georg Eisath’s winning cards. G.E.: From my personal point of view, the best “piece” of the entire range is the Latemar M90. It’s the first major evolution that achieved great success. I remember very well the first projects we completed in 1988-1990, such as Cortina, Valzoldana and Falcade: they were huge installations, provided with advanced technologies, which already had automatic controls for the pump stations. An automotive comparison: TechnoAlpin and VW Golf G.E.: If I were to compare our company to a car, I would no doubt choose a VW Golf: it may be a bit “conservative” but it’s surely stable and reliable, equipped with tested technology and adaptable to all needs. Of course, it’s nice to drive a Ferrari, but only on the interstate, because it’s in no way suitable for mountain roads. I prefer a Golf: it may not be very fast, but it will always take you safely and reliably to your destination. Indeed, I like the “classification” of TechnoAlpin between the Golfs very much, and I wouldn’t change it for anything in the world. However, I must admit that also the Audi slogan “Vorsprung durch Technik”, that is “Progress through technology”, fits very well with TechnoAlpin’s philosophy. Great admiration for all those who work with enthusiasm G.E.: What’s important for me is not the company itself but the people who work in it. I’m interested in the men and women who work hard and produce results. Managers who go up the ladder only thanks to external or political help, are not for me. Thank God, today I can take my hat off to many good workers. 14 15 15 YEARS: IMMAGES From around the world Photos on the left: · 1991 the first TechnoAlpin snow generator in Chile · 1992 technical snow for Greece · 1991 great interest in the legendary M90 even in Slovakia Photos above: 1988 WI.TE on the Pisten-Bully 1997 baby automatic on tower 1998 expansion to New Zealand 1991 Happy Finns 1999 Japan, a good buy 16 17 WORLDWIDE Photo: TechnoAlpin establishments and partners (see page 2 for the addresses) Home court advantage all over the planet! In Italy, Scandinavia, USA, Canada, Russia, China or Australia: with TechnoAlpin every customer always feels at home! Thanks to TechnoAlpin‘s widespread organisation in every corner of the world, our professional Customer Care service knows no boundaries. On the way to the heights of world success, TechnoAlpin has left traces in every continent with over 500 customers worldwide. Relying on TechnoAlpin means trusting our technical solutions and, above all, the people, the organisational structure and company solidity. Project management, production and logistics, installation start-up, after-sales service, spare part supply: all these departments are a tangible demonstration of our dedication to our customers. TechnoAlpin has created a worldwide organisation to make every customer always feel at home. of TechnoAlpin branch offices: in Switzerland, for example, our branch office is located in the middle of the country so that customers can reach us in less than three hours by car. All branch offices work in close contact with the TechnoAlpin headquarters in Bolzano, which serves as main service centre. Operations that require international coordination and allow us to offer efficient services at favourable prices are managed at the corporate site in Bolzano: research and development, purchases, production, software programming, planning, working out offers and marketing. 20 branch offices worldwide TechnoAlpin is in every corner of the world with 20 branch offices, each of which has its own managers, sales team, technical staff and spare part warehouse. This is the only way to ensure a highly professional, fast and efficient Customer Care service. Logistics has been a key factor in choosing the physical location From Bolzano to every corner of the world in only 4 days Approximately 6,000 different items are available in the Bolzano and Pineta di Laives warehouses. Every component of every TechnoAlpin snowmaking installation is available as a spare part. This enables us to ensure that any component sent by courier is deliver- Photo: Karlheinz, our Service technician in New Zealand Photo: The TechnoAlpin warehouse at Pineta di Laives (BZ) ed to the customer in less than 4 days, so we waste as few snowmaking days as possible. The Bolzano warehouse stocks all the small parts, whereas the Pineta di Laives warehouse stocks fittings, pumps, Alpinal pipes, valves, flanges, shelters, cooling towers, control panels, data cables, aluminium cables, etc. At your service 24 hours a day For TechnoAlpin, delivering a professional customer care service means providing precisely what the customer needs when the customer needs it. We know that each missed hour of snowmaking translates into lower turnover. For this reason, TechnoAlpin‘s Customer Care service is available 24 hours a day. You will always find someone who can coordinate operations, even at international level, by calling the Bolzano number 0039 0471 550 534. Of course, the local branch office should be contacted first. The ATASS (Automatic TechnoAlpin Snowmaking System) management software allows us to save time: with the consent of the customer, the Bolzano software department can operate in any part of the world and on any installation, performing updates or carrying out preliminary error analyses before sending a technician to the site. Another way to save precious time. Directly at your site! For TechnoAlpin, offering an efficient Customer Care service means saving time and making communication as direct as possible, even with the top management floors. The founders and owners of TechnoAlpin, Georg Eisath, Walter Rieder and Erich Gummerer, are in charge of the installation construction, technology and management sector: they work side by side and are always at the disposal of customers and staff. Open doors In spring, about 300 customers and potential customers visited the company‘s headquarter in Bolzano and had the opportunity to see the production processes first hand, as well as the latest developments for 2005. TechnoAlpin is thrilled with the high interest shown for the initiative. 18 19 Alain De Cian Alexander Comploj Alexander Stangl Anja Berents Arno Hafner Astrid Torggler Christine Wunsch Dagmar Geis Daniele Neri Erich Gummerer Erika Unterweger Georg Eisath Gerald Reichegger Giorgia Cassiolari Gregor Lochmann Hannes Thurner Hansi Kaufmann Heidi Vonmetz Heinz Viehweider Irmi Prader Ivan Gross Joachim Stuefer Juri Menegot Juris Panzani Karlheinz Terrabona Klaus Bacher Lukas Schmittner Manfred Scherer Marco Benvenuto Marco Moratti Marion Barbieri Markus Mahlknecht Markus Pfeifer Martin Coser Martin Eppacher Martin Gamberoni Martin Hofer Martin Margesin Mauro Freno Michael Lentsch Paolo Nardone Patrick Peintner Peter Rottensteiner Philipp Schenk Philippe Ronin René Schiess Robert Moaret Robert Reider Roberto Begliatti Sigi Rieder Sigrid Gummerer Stefan Egger Stefan Malfer Stefan Mutschlechner Stefano Bruscagin Stefano Cianchi Stefano Locatelli Thomas Möltner Thomas Pichler Thomas Burger Thomas Lunger Thomas Lutz Umberto Marchesan Valentin Profanter Walter Rieder Walter Weger Wolfgang Hanni Wolfgang Lechner Eberhard Gall Manfred Huber Ralf Behrends Sandra Daniel Ulrich Gall Reto Saner Sarah Gisler Sascha Zgraggen Christophe Moullin Geir Vik Nikki Clifford Kirsten Kotvall Andreas Dorfmann Christoph Brand Franck Fontaine Franck Tiffreau Russell Schwartz Markus Egger Robert Kramberger Alexander Reindl Annelise Kneidl Kurt Bissig Markus Zgraggen Martin Kuhn Melanie Zurbriggen Remo Bulgheroni Jean-Luc Rouillet Laurent Magnette Michael Payan Séverine Lopez Valérie Vacher Katarína Jesenska Martin Merka Miro Patras Rudo Machácek Rosa López Glassey Albert Glassey Skiare Thomas Peintner Snowtech Christer Jansson Christian Andersson Serban Sovaiala Tokyo Kiyohiro Kawakami Tehnounion Gregor Vehovec Frantisek Jany Jan Duchlansky Ján Lietavec Casli Ángel Jaraiz Blas Olmos Christina Gonzáles Jesús C. Peso Juan Francisco C. Peso Raul Garcia Curt Boström Jan Mangborg Krister Blomander Lasse Nordström Niklas Blomander Brasov Petre Popa Brian Tito Alex ALEX Akexander Mechkov Stanislava Mechkova Stefka Miteva