Acquisition Of Venetbahn By Pletzer Group Confirmed
The municipalities of Landeck and Zams and the TirolWest Tourism Association have set the course for a new direction for the Venetbahn: the PLETZER Group will become the new majority owner with 80 percent.
"The preservation and continuation of small ski areas, especially for the locals, is an important responsibility that our industry and politicians must face together. In this respect, our group's entry into Venet Bergbahnen should be a model for others," stressed KR Anton Pletzer after today's resolutions, which were passed with a large majority.
Contact with the PLETZER Group was made through the mediation of former state governor Günther Platter and the process was closely monitored: "It wasn't exactly the case that there was a queue of interested parties. But it was also a major personal concern of mine that the Venetbahn be preserved as an important regional infrastructure facility and year-round recreational mountain for future generations."
Municipalities and TVB will retain 20 percent "and thus ensure the inclusion of local interests in the future," as Landeck's mayor Herbert Mayer emphasizes: "Without our new partner, the closure of the Venetbahn would probably have been the only option." Zamm mayor Benedikt Lentsch also welcomes the new solution: "The costs of operating and maintaining the Venetbahn have increasingly become a burden for the municipality and have put other important investments at risk. I am now happy that we have found a strong partner to be able to preserve our local recreation area in the long term."
For TVB chairman Konrad Geiger, a comprehensive new start can now begin: "The situation in recent years has not been satisfactory for the owners and customers and is no longer sustainable in the long term. The entry of the PLETZER Group is therefore a unique opportunity for the region."
With its participation in the Pillersee, St. Johann, Hopfgarten-Itter, Reutte and Sudelfeld (Bavaria) cable cars, the PLETZER Group is one of the leading cable car companies in the DACH region and has extensive expertise. "We now want to bring this expertise to the Venetbahn immediately," explains KR Anton Pletzer: "The most important thing is a detailed analysis of the cable car's inventory. Modernization or new construction is an option here. Overall, we are expecting extensive investments in the coming years." In addition, the new majority owner has given a 20-year operation and inventory guarantee.
The new owner will present a detailed investment and future concept for the Venet before the summer.
Course set for restart at Venetbahn
After the previous owners clearly voted in favor of the PLETZER Group joining, things are now moving quickly: On Friday, the new bodies were appointed at the Annual General Meeting. KR Anton Pletzer will in future act as sole CEO of Venet Bergbahnen AG and will be supported by Hermann Schwarzenbacher as authorized signatory and operations manager. The supervisory board was also newly appointed under the chairmanship of former state governor Günther Platter and consists of seven members: Friedl Eberl (PLETZER Group), the mayors Benedikt Lentsch and Herbert Mayer, TVB chairman Konrad Geiger, entrepreneur Rainer Haag and lawyer Roswitha Seekirchner.
During the general meeting, the new owner once again assured that winter operations would resume in 2024/2025. The Rifenal and Weinberg cable cars are to be upgraded accordingly. Meanwhile, the inventory analysis of the cable car is also in full swing. "We are currently on site with our technicians to assess the condition of the cable car in detail," emphasizes KR Anton Pletzer: "My basic ambition is to build a new cable car. However, there are still many steps to be taken here - from securing financing to discussions and the approval of the landowners. In any case, we want to show a perspective here by the summer and are very confident that we will succeed in this new start on the Venet."
