Just two days after opening a massive new ski lift manufacturing facility in Salt Lake City, Utah, Doppelmayr celebrated another major expansion of its North American operations, this time across the border in Quebec.
Doppelmayr Canada officially inaugurated its new 150,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Saint-Jérôme on October 21. The $42.8 million project nearly doubles the company’s manufacturing capacity in Quebec and strengthens its ability to produce chairlifts and other cable transportation systems for ski resorts throughout North America.
The new facility replaces aging manufacturing infrastructure that dates back to 1978 and consolidates operations previously spread across three separate locations. Approximately 150 employees will work at the new complex.
More Manufacturing Capacity for North American Ski Resorts
According to the official inauguration announcement, the facility includes approximately 120,000 square feet of manufacturing space, 32,000 square feet of office space and an additional 31,000 square feet of covered outdoor space.
The factory is equipped with four production bays, 10 overhead cranes, 16 motorized jib cranes and an outdoor gantry crane capable of lifting 20 tons. New manufacturing equipment includes a CNC milling machine capable of handling components up to 21 feet in diameter, a plasma cutting table, a shot-blasting machine and a paint booth.
The additional space and equipment will support manufacturing of detachable chairlift systems, one of Doppelmayr Canada’s specialties. The upgraded facility also allows the company to store approximately 80% of its raw materials indoors, an important consideration during Quebec’s long winters.
A Factory Built With Sustainability in Mind
Beyond increasing production, Doppelmayr placed considerable emphasis on environmental performance.
The new building earned Zero Carbon Building Design Standard v3 certification from the Canada Green Building Council. The certification evaluates a building’s planned energy performance, carbon emissions and environmental impact. It is a design certification rather than a measurement of the factory’s actual emissions during operation.
The facility also features upgraded ventilation, temperature and humidity controls, natural lighting and improved material-handling equipment. Employee amenities include a gym, bicycle storage and a multifunctional gathering space.
The opening ceremony brought together company executives from Austria, including Michael Doppelmayr and Gerhard Gassner, along with employees, retirees, customers and local government officials.
The Canadian project received financial support from Investissement Québec and Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, including a $2,140,000 repayable contribution from the federal government.
With new manufacturing facilities now inaugurated in both Utah and Quebec, Doppelmayr has significantly expanded its North American production footprint in a single week.
