Intamin is a Swiss-founded, Liechtenstein-headquartered ride manufacturer that has spent nearly six decades pushing roller coasters to new physical extremes. Founded in 1967 in Bern, Switzerland by Robert Spieldiener, Reinhold Spieldiener, and Alfons Saiko, the company’s name is a syllabic abbreviation of “international amusement installations.” Today Intamin is headquartered in Schaan, Liechtenstein, with a network of independent partner companies operating worldwide.
Intamin built its reputation on engineering firsts rather than a single signature ride model. The company introduced hydraulic launch technology, pioneered river rapids rides and modern free-fall towers, and later developed linear synchronous motor (LSM) launch systems capable of repeated high-speed acceleration. That engineering has repeatedly produced world-record-breaking coasters, from Kingda Ka’s record height in 2005 to Falcons Flight’s 2025 sweep of the tallest, fastest, and longest titles.
Stats at a Glance
- Founded: 1967, in Bern, Switzerland
- Founders: Robert Spieldiener, Reinhold Spieldiener, Alfons Saiko
- Headquarters: Schaan, Liechtenstein
- Product lines: Roller coasters, water rides, observation towers, free-fall towers, round rides
- Notable records: Kingda Ka (tallest, 2005-2024), Formula Rossa (fastest, 2010-2025), Falcons Flight (tallest/fastest/longest, opened 2025)
- Signature technology: Hydraulic and LSM launch systems
A Legacy Built on Firsts
Rather than specializing in one type of ride, Intamin built its identity around solving engineering problems no other manufacturer had attempted. It introduced the first modern river rapids ride in 1980, the first free-fall drop tower in 1982, and rare-earth magnetic braking for drop rides in 1995. These innovations became industry standards that competitors later adopted across the amusement industry.
Intamin’s launch technology has been especially influential. Early hydraulic launch systems allowed coasters to reach high speeds without traditional lift hills, enabling compact, intense layouts. The company later advanced to LSM (linear synchronous motor) launches, which power some of its most extreme modern rides, including multi-stage launch coasters that accelerate riders in progressive bursts.
Record-Breaking Coasters
Intamin’s most famous rides are defined by superlatives. Kingda Ka at Six Flags Great Adventure held the title of world’s tallest roller coaster for nearly two decades after opening in 2005, while Formula Rossa at Ferrari World Abu Dhabi held the world speed record from 2010 until 2025. Millennium Force at Cedar Point is widely credited with launching the modern “giga coaster” category.
In late 2025, Intamin’s Falcons Flight opened at Six Flags Qiddiya City in Saudi Arabia, simultaneously claiming the titles of world’s tallest, fastest, and longest roller coaster at 163 meters tall and 250 km/h. Intamin classifies rides of this scale under a new “Exa Coaster” category, reflecting the company’s continued push into previously untested engineering territory.
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Notable Intamin Coasters on ThrillZing
- Cheetah Hunt — Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
- El Toro — Six Flags Great Adventure
- Fahrenheit — Hersheypark
- Falcons Flight — Six Flags Qiddiya City
- Hyperion — Energylandia
- Millennium Force — Cedar Point
- Pantherian — Kings Dominion
- Skyrush — Hersheypark
- Storm Runner — Hersheypark
- TH13TEEN — Alton Towers
- Taron — Phantasialand
- Top Thrill 2 — Cedar Point
- VelociCoaster — Universal’s Islands of Adventure
- Xcelerator — Knott’s Berry Farm
Browse every ride profile in our roller coaster guides.
Intamin FAQs
Where is Intamin headquartered?
Intamin is headquartered in Schaan, Liechtenstein, though it was originally founded in Bern, Switzerland, in 1967.
What is Intamin best known for?
Intamin is best known for building record-breaking roller coasters, including Kingda Ka, Formula Rossa, and Falcons Flight, and for pioneering hydraulic and LSM launch technology.
What does the name Intamin mean?
Intamin is a syllabic abbreviation of “international amusement installations,” reflecting the company’s global scope from its founding.
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Photo: Dusso Janladde / CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
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