Gerstlauer

Gerstlauer is a German company specializing in the design and manufacture of roller coasters, amusement rides, and interactive attractions. Founded in 1928 as a carpentry workshop, it later transformed into a manufacturer of amusement equipment, with products in theme parks worldwide.

Gerstlauer's history is closely connected with the German amusement-ride manufacturing tradition associated with Anton Schwarzkopf. In 1982, Hubert Gerstlauer, who had worked for Schwarzkopf Industries GmbH, founded Gerstlauer Elektro GmbH. The original business supplied electrical and pneumatic equipment for Schwarzkopf's facilities. Its early role was therefore primarily technical and industrial, supporting ride production and operation rather than immediately competing as a full-line roller-coaster designer. The decisive change came after Schwarzkopf Industries entered its final bankruptcy in 1992. Gerstlauer Elektro GmbH acquired part of the former company's production sites and equipment and continued the manufacture of amusement rides and roller coasters. This transition preserved some industrial capabilities and expertise from the earlier manufacturer while giving Gerstlauer the opportunity to establish its own product identity. Over time, the company moved beyond component and systems work into the design and construction of complete amusement attractions. Gerstlauer's first own-designed and manufactured roller coaster was G'sengte Sau, a bobsled coaster built at Erlebnispark Tripsdrill in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. The project marked the company's emergence as an independent coaster designer and manufacturer. The company later expanded its product range beyond bobsled-style systems into several coaster formats and other amusement attractions. From 2003, the Euro-Fighter became a central part of Gerstlauer's public identity. The model's characteristic beyond-vertical first drop, exceeding 90 degrees, enabled parks to offer a visually distinctive and intense thrill experience within comparatively compact layouts. Euro-Fighter installations appeared in Europe and the United States and were produced in different configurations. Gerstlauer subsequently developed other coaster concepts, including spinning coasters with seating that faces riders toward one another, as well as additional systems such as the Infinity Coaster. In March 2007, Gerstlauer Elektro GmbH changed its name to Gerstlauer Amusement Rides GmbH. The renaming reflected the company's evolution from an electrical and pneumatic equipment supplier into a manufacturer of amusement rides and roller coasters. Its activities have included both original Gerstlauer ride designs and the production of trains for selected wooden roller coasters. One cited example is The Boss at Six Flags St. Louis, although not every coaster connected with Gerstlauer-built trains remains in operation. Gerstlauer's business now covers roller coasters, flat rides, track rides, and transportable attractions. Its projects are installed internationally, with documented markets including Europe and the United States. Reference material states that 113 Gerstlauer-made roller coasters were still operating at their original parks as of May 2024, apart from specified exceptions: Seifenkiste was in storage, while Pandemonium had been relocated from Six Flags Discovery Kingdom to Six Flags Mexico and was operating there under the name Joker. A later count reported 115 Gerstlauer-built roller coasters worldwide by August 2024. The company continues to operate from Münsterhausen, Germany. Because it is not a publicly listed corporation and has limited broadly available corporate disclosure, information about its current executives, ownership, finances, and strategic plans is not established in the supplied reference material.

1. 2024More than one hundred Gerstlauer roller coasters are recorded

   Reference material records 113 Gerstlauer-made roller coasters still operating in May and 115 built worldwide by August, with some rides relocated or in storage.

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2. 2007Corporate name changes to Gerstlauer Amusement Rides GmbH

   In March 2007, Gerstlauer Elektro GmbH adopts the name Gerstlauer Amusement Rides GmbH.

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3. 2003Euro-Fighter gains prominence

   Gerstlauer becomes associated with the Euro-Fighter roller-coaster model, whose defining feature is a first drop beyond 90 degrees.

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4. 1992Production facilities are acquired after Schwarzkopf's bankruptcy

   Following the final bankruptcy of Schwarzkopf Industries GmbH, Gerstlauer Elektro GmbH acquires part of its production sites and facilities and continues manufacturing amusement rides and roller coasters.

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5. 1982Gerstlauer Elektro GmbH is founded

   Hubert Gerstlauer establishes Gerstlauer Elektro GmbH after working for Schwarzkopf Industries. The new company initially supplies electrical and pneumatic equipment for amusement-ride facilities.

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6. G'sengte Sau becomes the first independently designed Gerstlauer coaster

   Gerstlauer designs and manufactures G'sengte Sau, a bobsled roller coaster built at Erlebnispark Tripsdrill in Baden-Württemberg.

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Specialist mid-to-high-end amusement-ride manufacturer focused on engineered roller-coaster systems, compact thrill attractions, and custom park installations.

• Euro-FighterRoller coaster2003

  A Gerstlauer roller-coaster family known for a first drop that exceeds 90 degrees. Euro-Fighter installations have been delivered in multiple configurations and are associated with compact, intense layouts suitable for parks seeking a strong thrill attraction without the footprint of a very large traditional coaster. The model has been installed in Europe and the United States.

• Infinity CoasterRoller coaster

  A Gerstlauer roller-coaster product family included among the company's flagship offerings. The system represents the company's later-generation approach to high-intensity coaster design and supports park-specific layouts and attraction concepts. Detailed technical specifications and launch information are not established in the supplied reference material.

• G'sengte SauBobsled roller coaster

  G'sengte Sau was Gerstlauer's first independently designed and manufactured roller coaster. Built at Erlebnispark Tripsdrill in Baden-Württemberg, it is a bobsled-style attraction and an important early demonstration of the company's transition from technical equipment supply into complete ride design and manufacturing.

• Spinning coasterRoller coaster

  Gerstlauer has manufactured spinning roller coasters in which riders sit facing one another and the vehicles rotate as part of the ride experience. The format forms part of the company's broader range of alternative coaster systems alongside its vertical-drop and other thrill-ride designs.

• Wooden-coaster trainsRoller-coaster trains

  In addition to complete Gerstlauer coaster systems, the company has built trains for selected wooden roller coasters. The cited example is The Boss at Six Flags St. Louis. Some wooden coasters associated with Gerstlauer-built trains are no longer operating.

• Flat rides and track ridesAmusement rides

  Gerstlauer manufactures amusement attractions beyond roller coasters, including flat rides and track rides. These products extend the company's offering to parks and operators seeking a broader mix of attractions, although individual model names and technical specifications are not detailed in the supplied material.

1. Gerstlauer
2. Gerstlauer Amusement Rides GmbH official website