POMA celebrates 90 years of cable transport innovation

Based in Isère, the POMA group is celebrating its 90th anniversary. Founded in 1936 by Jean Pomagalski, the company is a major player in cable transport and has evolved significantly over the years. The group, headquartered in Voreppe, employs 1,700 people worldwide, with 935 in France. POMA claims to have more than 8,000 installations in 90 countries, generating revenue of 550 million euros. Approximately 30% of its revenue comes from France, nearly 30% from Asia, 25% from North America, and 15% from South America.

Sigmacabins factory produces 2,500 cabins annually

In Veyrins-Thuellin, the Sigmacabins factory is one of four industrial sites of POMA in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. It has 110 employees and produces cabins for various installations globally. In 2026, the site produced about 2,500 cabins, distributed among 18 models. The engineering office is located next to the workshops, facilitating exchanges between design and production. According to Fabien Felli, president of the group, "Our cabins are so different that we could not afford to automate everything. It is important for us to keep a human behind each machine."

POMA's global presence and diverse markets

POMA is present in 90 countries, with 30 subsidiaries worldwide. The company has two main competitors: Doppelmayr-Garaventa (Austrian-Swiss) and Leitner (Italian). The mountain remains a historical market for POMA, representing 40% of its activity, with the rest covering tourism, sacred sites, material transport, wind power, and specific projects. POMA also focuses on developing cable transport in urban environments, emphasizing its potential to address mobility challenges. In Lyon, the group and its subsidiaries maintain and renovate the Saint-Just and Fourvière funiculars.

Sustainability and long-term operation of equipment

As the Alpine sector prepares for the 2030 Winter Olympics and Paralympics, accessibility and mobility evolution are significant issues for the industry. POMA's Life range aims to balance technical mastery, cutting-edge technology, and sustainability. According to Fabien Felli, 95% of the components used are recyclable. The group also works on motors to reduce energy consumption and noise pollution. It collaborates with the Grenoble-based startup MagREEsource to remagnetize magnets and give them a second life.

Focus on long-term equipment durability

The duration of equipment operation is another challenge. Fabien Felli notes that when delivering a mechanical lift, it is an asset that will live for decades. Some cabins can function for more than 30 years with proper maintenance. POMA therefore develops its renovation, maintenance, and spare parts supply activities. Several Life range installations are expected to be put into service before the end of the year, notably at the Col de Balme, La Clusaz, and with the Radaz gondola at Megève. Other projects are planned in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc in 2027, then in Trappe and the Autannes in 2028.

Introducing the Pure cabin for the future

To mark its 90th anniversary, POMA is preparing the arrival of the Pure cabin, a new generation of cabins designed to combine comfort, aesthetics, and performance. With its rounded shape, it claims to inherit from the iconic "egg," introduced in 1966 with the SP4 cable car. Fabien Felli recalls that the cabins were once like soap boxes, lacking comfort or atmosphere, but the "egg" created a cocoon shape and brought people closer. For the first time, POMA has worked with architects to design the entire cabin, from its structure to its interior. With a capacity of ten seats, it features a 360-degree view, LED lighting, speakers from the Grenoble-based manufacturer Focal, and retractable seats allowing the boarding of bicycles. A ventilation system is also expected to improve passenger comfort. The project is now entering a finalization phase following the feedback collected at the Mountain Planet trade show. Victor Chéné, project manager at Sigmacabins, notes that the process might last several more months, including internal tests and tests by operating authorities. POMA plans to have 50 Pure cabins by September 2027.