VICENZA, Italy – It was a labor of love for Alberto Zamperla as he began putting together celebratory preparations for his company’s 50th anniversary.

The anniversary is year-long, but Zamperla wanted to bring his friends and customers together to show his appreciation of their support throughout the years.

And, that is what he did on June 9 and 10. More than 120 guests were invited to this small city just under 40 miles west of Venice, a city known for the architectural influences of Andrea Palladio in the 16th century.

Guests were wined, dined, toured and, most of all, appreciated.

“They are my reason for success,” Zamperla said, adding that he not only builds amusement rides but he also builds relationships.
In fact, to him, that is what it is all about.

The birth of Antonio Zamperla S.p.A., Albert Zamperla’s father, came in 1966. But, the foundation dates back to a century long family tradition which started with an equestrian circus at the beginning of the 20th century, moving through the establishment and management of one of the first street-cinemas in Italy, and then to the craftsmanship and production of amusement rides.

Antonio Zamperla’s entrepreneurial adventure began in those years, when he realized that popular adult attractions could be successfully reproduced for children. Three years after founding Antonio Zamperla S.p.A., the company produced mini bumper cars, which since have been renamed mini scooters. They could be trailer mounted and moved, a novelty for the time.

In 1971, the company came out with the Punchball game.

In 1972, Alberto Zamperla moved to the U.S. to open a business here. He told those attending the celebration in Vicenza that it was very difficult for him when he first entered the U.S. and tried to sell products since he had no references and that was what park and carnival management wanted to see.

In 1975, Zamperla came out with the Mini Jet 6 and Alberto Zamperla made his first sale of the ride to Reithoffer Shows.
He finally had a reference. In 1976, the U.S. office was opened.

Today, Zamperla produces over 260 rides a year and not only has the headquarters in Vicenza and an office in the U.S., but has a global presence. In 2015, the production report broken up into ride types showed 46.18 percent of the rides produced that year were major and thrill rides. Family rides produced took up 30.88 percent; roller coasters, 15.04 percent; and kiddie rides, 7.90 percent.

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