Von Roll Holding

Von Roll Holding AG

Type	Limited Corporation
Founded	1803
Headquarters	Gerlafingen, Canton of Solothurn, Switzerland
Key people	Thomas P. Limberger (CEO) and (Vice President) Markus Scherbel (CFO)
Employees	2086 (31.12.2007)

Von Roll Holding AG is a Swiss industrial group that operates worldwide, specializing in energy production.

History

Von Roll has its roots in the Eisenwerke der Handelsgesellschaft der Gebrüder Dürholz & Co. (Ironworks of the commercial firm of the Brothers Durholz & Co.) which was established in 1803. This firm was then taken over in 1810 by Von Roll & Cie, newly formed by Ludwig Freiherr von Roll (1771–1839) and Jakob von Glutz. In May 1823, Ludwig von Roll founded the Gesellschaft der Ludwig von Roll'schen Eisenwerke which benefited from industrialization and railroad construction that demanded much iron.

Following this, the business developed into one of the most important industrial groups in Switzerland and reached its high point in the 1970s with more than 10,000 employees. But, like other Swiss companies, Von Roll suffered during the oil crisis of 1973 and the economic crisis it triggered. The company underwent financial restructuring after financial restructuring, seemingly without end. As recently as 2003, Von Roll had to fight for its survival. At the end of 2002, following the accumulated losses of previous years, Von Roll’s equity capital had shrunk to 10.3 million. But in 2004 the company initiated a new strategy to focus on the insulation business, beginning its turnaround.

Business divisions/company structure

Von Roll Holding AG is a Swiss industrial company that is active worldwide and today focuses on products and systems for power generation, transmission and distribution. The company’s operating activities are split into the segments Von Roll Insulation, Von Roll Composites and Von Roll Transformers. The company has been listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange since 1987, under the symbol ROL. Historically, Von Roll was principally known for its ironworks and foundries. Von Roll Holding AG is represented by approximately 3,100 employees at 30 locations in 19 countries, and achieved sales of CHF 710 million in 2008.

Von Roll is a global market leader in the areas of insulation products and systems for the electrical machinery industry as well as in the production of composite materials and components for industrial applications. In addition, Von Roll provides thermal and fire-resistant insulation products, which are used in cable manufacturing and in the electronics industry. Von Roll therefore covers the entire value creation chain, from engineering and production to application.

The operating activities of Von Roll Holding AG are split into three segments: Von Roll Insulation (formerly Electrical), Von Roll Composites (formerly Industrial) and Von Roll Elco Transformers, which was created in the fourth quarter of 2008.

Von Roll Insulation produces and markets electrical insulation materials for large-scale generators, high-voltage rotating machines, wind turbines, traction and machine motors for low-voltage rotating machines, and transformers. Products in this segment include enamelled wires and coils, resins and varnishes, mica tapes, and rigid and flexible laminates. Von Roll supplies both individual products and complete insulation systems.

Von Roll Composites provides products and services that focus on the mechanical, thermal and chemical properties of insulating materials. The segment is divided into the product lines composite materials, moulded parts and cables (mainly fire-resistant).

The latest segment Von Roll Transformers creates and supplies solutions for power transmission and distribution. This includes the installation, maintenance and repair of high-voltage transformers (up to 850 MVA) in particular, and of mid-size and small transformers. The product range also includes distribution transformers, mobile substations for temporary use (for example in disaster situations) and special transformers developed for the specific requirements of the electrochemical industry for instance. Furthermore, Von Roll offers various services in the areas of consulting and testing. These include consulting on the special design of workplaces, the optimisation of manufacturing processes, the reorganisation of production flows, the layout of plants, turnkey projects, the reengineering of electrical insulation systems, the introduction of complete electrical insulation systems, and the training of operators and engineers.

Von Roll has laboratories where it tests systems and materials in the field of electrical insulating materials and electrical insulation systems. The high-voltage laboratory in Breitenbach, Switzerland, is specialised in the mechanical and electrical testing of high-voltage materials and systems. The UL laboratory in Schenectady, USA, focuses on all types of UL testing for low and medium voltages, mostly UL 1446 testing.

Von Roll Seilbahnen AG

Von Roll Seilbahnen AG was the aerial tramway and cableway division that was sold to Austrian manufacturer Doppelmayr in 1996.

Products

VonRoll type 101s ever built

1. Flims, GR, CH Flims-Foppa 16.12.1945 SB 2
2. Gstaad, BE, CH Gstaad-Werdenvorsaas 02.02.1946 SB 2
3. Gstaad, BE, CH Werdenvorsaas-Wasserngrat 06.04.1946 SB 2
4. Beatenberg, BE, CH Beatenberg-Vorsaas 14.08.1946 SB 2
5. Beatenberg, BE, CH Vorsaas-Niederhorn 15.09.1946 SB 2
6. Grindelwald, BE, CH Grindelwald-Oberhaus 28.12.1946 SB 2
7. Grindelwald, BE, CH Oberhaus-Bort 28.12.1946 SB 2
8. Flims, GR, CH Foppa-Naraus 08.02.1947 SB 2
9. Grindelwald, BE, CH Bort-Egg 08.02.1947 SB 2
10. Grindelwald, BE, CH Egg-First 08.02.1947 SB 2
11. Zermatt, VS, CH Zermatt-Sunnegga 24.12.1947 SB 2
12. Braunwald, GL, CH Braunwald-Kleiner Gumen 01.01.1948 SB 2
13. Kandersteg, BE, CH Kandersteg-Oeschinen 07.02.1948 SB 2
14. Lenk, BE, CH Lenk-Stoss 23.12.1948 SB 2
15. Snezka, Riesengebirge, Tschechien, ehem. CSFR Schneekoppe 1. Sektion 1948 SB 2
16. Snezka, Riesengebirge, Tschechien, ehem. CSFR Schneekoppe 2. Sektion 1949 SB 2
17. Thun, BE, CH KABA 1949 1949 SB 2 Ausstellung
18. Wildhaus, SG, CH Wildhaus-Oberdorf 23.12.1949 SB 2
19. Jasná, Nied. Tantra, Slowakei, ehem. CSFR Kosodrevina-Chopok (Nord) 1949 SB 2
20. Jasná, Nied. Tantra, Slowakei, ehem. CSFR Chopok 1. Sektion (Süd) 1949 SB 2
21. Jasná, Nied. Tantra, Slowakei, ehem. CSFR Luková-Chopok (Süd) 1949 SB 2
22. Chlieb, Nied. Tantra, Slowakei, ehem. CSFR Terchová 1949 SB 2
23. Oberstdorf, Bayern, D Söllereck 1950 SB 2
24. Oberdorf, SO, CH Oberdorf-Nesselboden 29.12.1950 SB 2
25. Oberdorf, SO, CH Nesselboden-Weissenstein 29.12.1950 SB 2
26. Adelboden, BE, CH Adelboden-Tschentenalp 30.12.1950 SB 2
27. Stuttgart, DE Höhenpark Killesberg, Gartenschau 1950 1950 SB 2
28. Milano, IT Triennale 1951 1951 SB 2 Ausstellung
29. Miglieglia, TI, CH Miglieglia-Monte Lema 06.04.1952 SB 2
30. Neapel, IT Base del Cono-Vesuvio 1952 SB 2
31. Valdeblore, Alpes Maritimes, F La Colmiane 1952 SB 2
32. Teplice, Erz-Gebirge, Tschechien, ehem. CSFR Komári Hurka 1952 SB 2
33. Borgosesia, Piemont, I Scopello-Mera 1953 SB 2
34. Berchtesgaden, DE Königsee-Jennerwiesen 1953 SB 2
35. Berchtesgaden, DE Jennerwiesen-Jenner 1953 SB 2
36. München, DE Verkehrsausstellung 1953 1953 SB Ausstellung
37. Bern, BE, CH HOSPES 1954 1954 SB Ausstellung
38. Luzern, LU, CH Schw. Landwirtschaftsausstellung 1954 SB Ausstellung
39. Kassel, DE Bundesgartenschau 1955 1955 GB Ausstellung
40. Rotterdam, NL Kabelbaan Rotterdam 1955 GB 2 Ausstellung
41. Namur, BE Namur-Citadelle 1956 GB 2
42. Anaheim, California, USA Disneyland 1956 GB 4
43. Lenk, BE, CH Stoss-Betelberg 12.09.1957 SB 2
44. Norden, California, USA Sugar Bowl 1957 GB 4
45. Berlin, DE Interbau 1958 1958 GB Ausstellung
46. Bruxelles, BE Exposition Mondiale 1958 1. Sektion 1958 GB Ausstellung
47. Bruxelles, BE Exposition Mondiale 1958 2. Sektion 1958 GB Ausstellung
48. Bruxelles, BE Exposition Mondiale 1958 3. Sektion 1958 GB Ausstellung
49. Santa Monica, California, USA Pacific Ocean Park 1958 GB 2
50. Zürich, CH SAFFA 1958 1958 GB Ausstellung
51. Lake Louise, Alberta, CDN Whitehorn 1959 GB 2
52. Rotterdam, NL Int. Tuinbouwtentoostellung 1960 GB Ausstellung
53. New York, USA Freedomland 1 1960 GB 2 Ausstellung
54. New York, USA Freedomland 2 1960 GB 2 Ausstellung
55. Memphis, Tenn., USA Lakeland 1960 GB 4
56. Blackpool, GB Blackpool Pleasure Beach 1960 GB 2
57. Bern, BE, CH HYSPA 1961 1961 GB Ausstellung
58. Arlington, Texas, USA Six Flags Over Texas 1961 GB 4
59. Panama City, Florida, USA Magic World 1961 GB 2
60. Milano, I Triennale 1962 1962 GB Ausstellung
61. Seattle, Washington, USA World's Fair 1962 1962 GB Ausstellung
62. Sandusky, Ohio, USA Cedar Point Nr. 1 1962 GB 2
63. Knoxville, Tenn., USA Cherokee Wonderland 1962 GB 2
64. Century 21, Seattle, USA Century 21 1962 GB 2-3 oval
65. Tel Aviv Superland 1962 GB 4 offen
66. Braunlage, Harz, D Wurmberg 2. Sektion 1962 GB 2
67. Saas-Fee, VS, CH Saas-Fee – Plattjen 12.04.1963 GB 2
68. Hamburg, DE Int. Gartenbauausstellung 1963 GB Ausstellung
69. Brooklyn, New York, N.Y., USA Coney Island, Astroland Park 1963 GB 2-3 kugelförmig
70. San Marcos, Texas, USA Aquarena Springs 1963 GB 2-3 kugelförmig
71. Phoenix, Arizona, USA Legend City 1963 GB 4
72. Bursa, Turkey Uludağ aerial tramway open in 29.10.1963
73. Chicago, Illinois, USA Riverview Park 1963 GB 4
74. Lausanne, VD, CH EXPO 1964 1964 GB 4 (2) Ausstellung
75. Palisades, New Jersey, USA Palisades Amusement Park 1964 GB 4
76. Minneapolis, Minn., USA Minneapolis State Fair 1964 GB 2
77. New York, N.Y., USA World's Fair 1964 1 1964 GB Ausstellung
78. New York, N.Y., USA World's Fair 1964 2 1964 GB Ausstellung
79. Dallas, Texas, USA Texas State Fair 1964 GB 4
80. San Antonio, Texas, USA Brackenridge 1964 GB 4
81. Bursa, TR Sarialan 1964 GB 2
82. Cincinnati, Ohio, USA Coney Island 1965 GB 2-3 oval, offen
83. Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA Bell's Amusement Park 1965 GB 4
84. Kings Mill, Ohio, USA Kings Island 1965 GB 2-3
85. Atlanta, Georgia, USA Six Flags over Georgia 1967 GB 4
86. San Diego, Kalifornien, USA Seaworld 1967 GB 4
87. Barry Island Camp, GB Barry Island 1967 GB 2
88. Braunlage, Harz, D Wurmberg 1. Sektion 1967 GB 2
89. San Antonio, Texas, USA Hemisfair 1967 GB 4
90. Houston, Texas, USA Astroworld 1967 GB 4
91. Sierra Nevada, Granada, E Prado Llano-Borreguiles 1968 GB 4
92. North Creek, N.Y., USA Gore Mountain 1. Sektion 1968 GB 4
93. North Creek, N.Y., USA Gore Mountain 2. Sektion 1968 GB 4
94. Pirates World, Dania, Florida, USA Pirates World 1968 GB 4
95. Sandusky, Ohio, USA Cedar Point Nr. 2 1969 GB 4
96. San Diego, Kalifornien, USA San Diego Zoo 1969 GB 4
97. St. Louis, Missouri, USA Six Flags Over Mid-America 1970 GB 4
98. Lake Buena Vista, Florida, USA Disney World 1971 GB 4
99. Barcelona, E Castello de Montjuich 1971 GB 4
100. Nashville, Tennessee, USA Opryland 1972 GB 4
101. Bedford, GB Woburn Abbey 1972 GB 4
102. New York, N.Y., USA Bronx Zoo 1972 GB 4
103. Tampa, Florida, USA Busch-Gardens 1974 GB 4
104. Agawam, Massachusetts Riverside Park 1974 GB 4 offen
105. Jakarta, RI Gondola-Lift 1974 GB 4
106. Williamsburg, Virginia, USA Busch Gardens 1975 GB 4
107. Santa Clara, USA Marriott-Park 1975 GB 4 offen
108. Chicago, Illinois, USA Marriott-Park Nr. 1 1975 GB 4 offen
109. Chicago, Illionois, USA Marriott-Park Nr. 2 1977 GB 4 offen

Monorail

The Mk II and Mk III monorail automated people mover (APM) systems were installed in a variety of locations before the technology was sold on to Adtranz (later Bombardier), which continues to supply the parts for the monorail systems.

The monorail cars at Alton Towers theme park in England were built for Expo 86 in Vancouver, BC, Canada.

The Jurong Bird Park Panorail in Jurong Bird Park, Singapore is a four-car straddle-beam monorail that began operation in 1991.

Felseneggbahn

On December 30, 1954, Felseneggbahn was given to operational service; it was built by Von Roll within seven months for one million Swiss francs.

External links

• http://www.vonroll.com/