Antonio Zamperla S.p.A. is an Italian amusement ride manufacturer based in Altavilla Vicentina, near Vicenza, founded in 1966 by Antonio Zamperla. The company’s roots trace back further to a family tradition of traveling circuses and street cinemas, with Zamperla himself starting out as a showman who built and toured his own rides at fairs before other operators began commissioning him to build for them.
Zamperla has grown into one of the world’s most prolific ride builders, credited with constructing more than 368 roller coasters globally by 2022, alongside thousands of flat rides, carousels, bumper cars, and coin-operated kiddie attractions. Rather than chasing record-breaking extreme thrill machines, Zamperla built its reputation on family-friendly rides engineered to be mass-produced, transported, and installed efficiently, making it a fixture at traveling fairs, shopping malls, and major theme parks alike.
Stats at a Glance
- Founded: 1966
- Founder: Antonio Zamperla
- Headquarters: Altavilla Vicentina, Vicenza, Italy
- Coasters built: over 368 (as of 2022)
- 2019 revenue: about 120 million EUR
- Employees: around 450 (2012)
- Notable project: Top Thrill 2 at Cedar Point (with Intamin, 2024)
From Traveling Fairs to Global Manufacturer
Zamperla’s early business centered on portable rides built for Italian traveling fairs, including bumper cars, carousels, and small spinning attractions. As demand grew from other showmen wanting similar rides, Antonio Zamperla shifted from operating rides himself to manufacturing them at a dedicated production facility in the Vicenza area. Leadership passed to his son Alberto Zamperla in 1994, and after Alberto’s death in 2022, the company continued under his sons, Antonio Jr. and Alessandro Zamperla.
Rides Found Around the World
Zamperla’s product line spans compact family coasters like the Dragon Coaster and Mini Mouse to larger thrill models such as the Volare flying coaster and Motocoaster. The company also supplies Ferris wheels, pendulum rides, and water flume attractions to parks worldwide. Its highest-profile recent project paired Zamperla with original builder Intamin to transform Cedar Point’s Top Thrill Dragster into Top Thrill 2, adding a second launch tower and a new linear synchronous motor launch system for its 2024 debut.
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Zamperla FAQs
When was Zamperla founded?
Zamperla was founded in 1966 by Antonio Zamperla, though the family’s ride-building roots trace back to an earlier tradition of traveling circuses and fairs.
Where is Zamperla headquartered?
Zamperla is headquartered in Altavilla Vicentina, near Vicenza, in the Veneto region of Italy.
What is Zamperla known for building?
Zamperla is known for family-friendly roller coasters, flat rides, carousels, and kiddie rides, and it has built more than 368 coasters worldwide, including its work on Cedar Point’s Top Thrill 2.
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Photo: I am / Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.