Cable cars over car craze: Doppelmayr expands in US, turns Trump tariffs into opportunity

Austrian cable car manufacturer Doppelmayr is expanding its factory in the mountainous US state of Utah. Despite the tariffs imposed during the Trump era, the company continues its growth strategy. In fact, these tariffs have become an opportunity rather than an obstacle for Doppelmayr. By producing locally, the company avoids import costs and gains a competitive advantage in the US market. The real growth potential, however, lies beyond ski slopes—in urban transportation solutions.

Doppelmayr offers cable car systems as a solution to traffic congestion in major cities. Many US cities are turning to cable car projects to reduce car dependency and create eco-friendly transportation alternatives. This allows the company to shift its market from ski resorts to urban areas. At its Utah factory, Doppelmayr produces both ski lifts and urban transit systems. This diversification accelerates the company's growth in the US.

Trump's steel and aluminum tariffs initially negatively affected foreign manufacturers. However, Doppelmayr minimized the impact by increasing local production capacity. In fact, by manufacturing in the US, the company gained an advantage over other importers. This strategy helped Doppelmayr increase its market share in the US. The company also managed to reduce costs by working with local suppliers.

Utah, with its mountainous terrain and growing cities, offers an ideal market for cable car systems. Doppelmayr provides cable car solutions not only to ski resorts but also to cities like Salt Lake City. The company aims to double its production capacity by expanding its Utah factory. This investment will create hundreds of new jobs in the region. Additionally, the company's R&D center is located in Utah, developing next-generation cable car technologies.

Doppelmayr's success in the US inspires other European manufacturers. Instead of viewing tariffs as a threat, the company turned them into an opportunity through local production and innovation. The increasing preference for cable cars in urban transportation indicates that Doppelmayr will continue to grow in the coming years. The company contributes to reducing the carbon footprint in the US with sustainable transportation solutions.