Italy: Antonio Zamperla Jr. Takes over Management of Zamperla S.p.A. – Industry Veterans Join Top Management Team

Antonio Zamperla Jr., who previously served as Chief Innovation Officer for the family-owned manufacturing company Antonio Zamperla S.p.A., has officially taken over the management of the business. After some 20 years of experience in all business areas of the Zamperla Group, which today counts over 400 employees, the grandson of company founder Antonio Zamperla Sr. (†) and son of company president Alberto Zamperla, takes over the responsibility as CEO. Furthermore, two new managers are expanding the Italian company’s management team effective immediately: Valerio Ferrari, who already worked for Zamperla from 1991 through 2018 and most recently held the position of Co-CEO at Liechtenstein-based manufacturer Intamin, has now returned to Zamperla as Chief Sales Officer. The position as Sales & Marketing Director for Zamperla’s rollercoaster division was taken over by industry veteran Adam Sandy, who was previously responsible for business development at the US company Ride Entertainment for over 16 years.

“Today we can proudly say that there is no amusement park in the world without at least a Zamperla ride. However, the near future, even following the global pandemic that has hit us, needs extraordinary interventions to be able to change gear, manage the next challenges and push innovation to the maximum. I think that the appointment of Antonio as CEO, the return of Valerio and the arrival of Adam are exactly the extraordinary interventions that our company needs. My father founded Antonio Zamperla S.p.A. in 1966 and entrusted me with the objective of making our company international. Now it is high time for the third generation to bring the contribution that new technologies and new processes can guarantee to a reality like ours. Antonio will be supported by two out-of-class managers who will make it possible to attain that mixed family and managerial governance model in which we have always believed. In America Antonio's brother Alessandro Zamperla, CEO of Central Amusement International Inc. which manages Coney Island in NY and the overseas business, remains a firm point of reference. We will be ready to ride the recovery after the ongoing pandemic! […],“ comments the company’s President, Alberto Zamperla.

Antonio Zamperla is looking forward to the next chapter of the company’s history: "I've been trying the rides with my father since I was a child and my grandfather has always been one of my superheroes ... I've never been afraid of even the most adrenaline-pumping roller coasters, so I'm not afraid of this new challenge that I will face with determination, commitment and the spirit of the Zamperla family.“ Based in Altavilla Vicentina (northern Italy), the Zamperla Group today generates an annual turnover of around 100 million euros. (eap)