Skytrac Becomes North America's Newest Lift Manufacturer

News Search

03 December 2010

Push to The Latest: No

SAM Magazine-Salt Lake City, Dec. 2, 2010-Skytrac, Inc., which has started manufacturing lifts in the U.S., is the first new North American aerial ropeway manufacturer to be created in almost 30 years. It is headed by longtime lift builder Jan Leonard, and includes several lift industry veterans, among them Alan Hepner, John Pentesco, David Metivier, Carl Skylling, Tim Nikou, and Maynard Russell-all of whom have at least 21years of experience in the industry.

Skytrac is a lift design, manufacture, and installation company utilizing North American designs and components. Its design and manufacturing facility is in Salt Lake City, where it will manufacture a line of fixed-grip lifts in a variety of configurations-doubles, triples, and quads, to include different lift speeds, bullwheel diameters, and horsepowers-using its own components. The focus will be to provide designs and equipment of high quality, but with value pricing, Leonard said.

The equipment will also be suited for lift retrofits. Adaptations can be made to most current and orphaned lift manufacturers, according to Leonard. Over the past three years, Skytrac, Inc, has done several lift retrofits, modifications, and reinstallations across the U.S. The company recently designed and completed two fixed drive terminal retrofits, one at Monarch Mountain, Colo., and one at Pine Knob Ski Resort, Mich. "We are a full service ropeway company with all lift-required capabilities, including design, manufacturing, installation, and the all-important service needs," said Leonard.

Skytrac's sister company, Hilltrac, Inc., offers a Utah-designed and manufactured line of inclined passenger transportation systems for all slope applications. Several of these self-powered, cog-driven systems have been constructed in Utah to access ski slopes or bluffs from homes or condominiums.

In addition, Skytrac has an agreement for tramway equipment with Swiss lift manufacturer BMF, AG (Bartholet Manufacturing, AG). BMF has been building aerial lifts for more than 35 years, and has built tramways, 6 packs and quad detachable lifts. BMF is also a premier ropeway manufacturer in the amusement industry, with many installations worldwide, including North America.