Zierer Karussell- und Spezialmaschinenbau GmbH & Co. KG is a German amusement ride manufacturer headquartered in Deggendorf, Bavaria. Founded in 1930, the company began by building wooden living wagons and market stalls for traveling showmen before evolving into one of Europe’s most prolific coaster builders. Zierer now operates as part of the Max Streicher Group and remains one of the industry’s few long-running family-rooted manufacturers.
Rather than chasing record-breaking hypercoasters, Zierer built its reputation on reliable, low-maintenance rides aimed at family and regional parks, alongside flat rides like wave swingers, panoramic wheels, and Kontiki boats. Its Tivoli and Force coaster lines have been installed at parks across Europe, North America, Asia, and beyond, and the company has also collaborated with other manufacturers, including a partnership with Schwarzkopf on rides such as Knightmare at Camelot Theme Park.
Stats at a Glance
- Founded: 1930
- Headquarters: Deggendorf, Bavaria, Germany
- Parent company: Max Streicher GmbH & Co. KG aA
- Coasters built: Over 190 worldwide (per RCDB, more than 200 installations)
- Signature lines: Tivoli, Force, ESC
- Other ride types: Wave swingers, panoramic wheels, Kontiki boats, flying carpets, Hexentanz
From Showmen’s Wagons to Coaster Manufacturing
Zierer’s roots trace back to Vitus Zierer, who built a living wagon for his showman brother Max in the company’s founding year. Through the 1930s, the firm’s work centered on wooden sales wagons and pack wagons for traveling fairs, a trade that gradually gave the family the fabrication skills to move into amusement ride construction.
That shift eventually turned Zierer into a full-scale ride builder, producing everything from compact kiddie coasters to larger family thrill rides. The company’s long transition from wagon builder to coaster manufacturer is part of what distinguishes it from manufacturers that started as pure engineering firms.
Tivoli, Force, and a Global Footprint
Zierer’s Tivoli line became a mainstay of mid-sized family parks, prized for compact footprints and smooth, low-intensity layouts, while the Force line pushed into larger, faster terrain-following coasters for bigger regional and destination parks. Together these product families account for the bulk of Zierer’s installations.
Beyond coasters, Zierer built a parallel business supplying wave swingers, panoramic wheels, and other flat rides, giving parks a one-stop source for mid-market attractions. The company has also partnered with other manufacturers on individual projects, including work alongside Schwarzkopf on rides like Knightmare at Camelot Theme Park in the UK.
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Notable Zierer Coasters on ThrillZing
- Verbolten — Busch Gardens Williamsburg
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Zierer FAQs
When was Zierer founded?
Zierer was founded in 1930 in Bavaria, Germany, and began as a builder of wooden wagons for traveling showmen before moving into amusement ride manufacturing.
What is Zierer best known for?
Zierer is best known for its Tivoli and Force lines of family-oriented roller coasters, along with flat rides such as wave swingers and panoramic wheels, installed at parks worldwide.
Is Zierer still an independent company?
Zierer operates as part of the Max Streicher Group, a German engineering and manufacturing group, while continuing to design and build rides under its own name.
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Photo: Davehi1 / Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.