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One history. Innumerable facets.
Discover the key events of the last 100 years. Keep an eye out for the special ones! Because we’ll be activating our “milestones” with your help and taking an interactive journey into the past! Want to join in? Find out here what our milestones are all about.
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Chapter 1906 - 1919
A bicycle hub changes the world
Roots of the Rotax brand and initial successIn the beginning is a pioneer. Friedrich Gottschalk is the owner of a successful bicycle components factory in Dresden. As a member of a cycling association, he’s at home in the saddle himself, too. He is an all-round producer, making everything a gentleman could require in relation to bicycles. Brakes, tires and saddles, but also caps, bicycle clips and gaiters. Then he notices the first bicycle hubs, US-produced models that are spreading through Germany. And he quickly realizes that they could be done better! He files a patent application in 1906, and the “Rotax” freewheel hub trademark is registered and quickly becomes a million-seller. Anyone who rates themselves as a cyclist wants a bicycle with a Rotax freewheel hub. Even competitive cycling, for example the popular cycle races in front of the Berlin Sportpalast, is soon organized under the Rotax banner. Renowned racers are proud to carry the name of Rotax on their jerseys. Whether it’s in an amateur environment or amongst the cycling elite, Friedrich Gottschalk’s bicycle hub is popular and soon leaves the competition behind.
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THE ROTAX PATENT
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“I covered 6,443 km in the space of 70 days with your hub..”
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ENTREPRENEUR, INVENTOR & PIONEER
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“... constantly reinforce the global reputation of Rotax's freewheel hub”
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A CITY
ON THE MOVE- Economy
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Milestone Chapter
- Milestone
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“but nothing [...] can surpass your Rotax freewheel hub!”
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ROTAX WINS HEARTS
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- People
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“King of freewheel hubs...”
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THE ROTAX BRAND EMERGES
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Chapter 1920 - 1937
Founding and development of Rotax-Werk AG
From the beginnings in Dresden to the relocation to SchweinfurtFriedrich Gottschalk has been a manufacturer for decades, focusing on the development of his bestseller - the freewheel hub. But his entrepreneurial zeal is thwarted by the economic repercussions of the First World War. On November 27, 1920, the Rotax brand becomes the company Rotax-Werk AG; Friedrich Gottschalk re-establishes his business, and with the help of friends puts it back on the road to success. His big competitor, Fichtel & Sachs, soon becomes aware of the young company. And as economic fortunes shift once again, Gottschalk decides in 1930 to sell Rotax-Werk AG to Fichtel & Sachs, and the company moves to Schweinfurt. Fichtel & Sachs immediately focuses on the production of engines. The importance of bicycle hubs declines, as does the importance of Rotax for Fichtel & Sachs.
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The end
of an era- People
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Takeover by Fichtel & Sachs
- Economy
- People
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“(...) purchased little by little, in order to eliminate an unwelcome competitor.”
- Brand
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“the race for the Great Rotax Prize, sponsored by the Rotax hub plant in Dresden...”
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FOUNDATION OF ROTAX-WERK AG
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“The operation also remained shut down in this financial year. The sale of our finished goods warehouse went ahead.”
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THE END OF PRODUCTION FOR BICYCLE HUBS
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Milestone Chapter
- Milestone
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On water, on land and in the air
- History
- People
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MOBILIZATION MEANS MOTORIZATION
- History
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Fichtel & Sachs
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Chapter 1938 - 1945
Rotax-Werk AG in the National Socialist era
Moving to Wels as a front for Fichtel & SachsThe year is 1943. Fichtel & Sachs in Schweinfurt has long been an armaments plant for the National Socialist regime. Air raids are becoming more frequent. Management is considering whether to transfer ball bearings and engines production, which is critical to the war effort, to a safer location. Then they remember their subsidiary Rotax, which they have somewhat neglected in recent years. What could be more natural than to disguise their engine production under the familiar name of the bicycle hub manufacturer? The city of Wels is the chosen location and the munitions authority assigns the relocated operation to the Reformwerke Bauer & Co premises. Employees come direct from Schweinfurt to Wels and the first armaments engines come off the production lines in 1943. Wels’ role is confined to production; all directives are issued by the Fichtel & Sachs headquarters in Schweinfurt. Rotax survives the war with minimal bomb damage. Although the future remains uncertain, the company is producing around 1,500 engines for agricultural and industrial machinery by June 1945, and starting to gain a foothold in the market again. The switch from wartime to civilian production is a success.
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AN IMPORTANT INDUSTRIAL COMPANY IN THE REGION
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“The general meeting of 6 January 1939 changed the name of the firm to Rotax-Werk A.G. Schweinfurt (...).”
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- History
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SPARED THE BOMBARDMENT
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TRANSFER TO WELS
- History
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“Manufacture and sale of accessories for the bicycle industry”
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Chapter 1945 - 1958
Sachs engines are turned into high performance Rotax engines
From public management to reprivatizationEveryday life in the post-war period is characterized by deprivation but also by the optimism of reconstruction. At Christmas 1946, Rotax employees enjoy a Christmas bonus from the management. Rotax, still a “German asset”, is managed by the public authorities. The new Gunskirchen site is acquired in 1947. The company now turns its engine production know-how predominantly to the modernization of agricultural units, but Gunskirchen engines are also installed in small motorcycles, mopeds and scooters. This is an arrangement that quickly pays off, with Rotax being awarded the State Prize First Class in 1952 for its contribution to the reconstruction. Rotax constructs company accommodation for its employees for the first time. And there’s another innovation:In 1955, Rotax welcomes its first female employee. Rotax also continues to pick up the pace technologically. With the Rotax engine being used as the powertrain for Austria’s first two-seater, three-gear moped, the dapper Lohner Sissy, Rotax now finds itself smack in the middle of the 1950s economic miracle. The company’s powertrain for the Lohner scooter puts it back in the leisure driving segment for the first time since the days of its bicycle hub.
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“ROTAX engines win the only gold medal for the national team in the Austrian Six Day Race.”
Newspaper "Oberösterreichische Nachrichten" on motorsport successes, 09/29/1956 -
ROTAX AS A “GERMAN ASSET”
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“...that the 100,000th engine since 1945 was delivered a few months ago.”
Oberösterreichische Nachrichten, 08/10/1954 -
ROTAX RELOCATES
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STATE AWARD FIRST CLASS AT THE WELS VOLKFEST TRADE FAIR
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“Since demand […] has increased, production must accelerate.”
NARA files, Original Exhibits, 12/06/1948
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AUSTRIA’S FIRST TWO-SEATER MOPED
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ROTAX IS AUSTRIAN
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UPGRADING THE GUNSKIRCHEN SITE
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Milestone Chapter
- Milestone
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INCREASED PRODUCTION AND AN EXPANDED PRODUCT RANGE
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- Technology
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“20 stationary Sachs Type Stamo 12 engines, 120 ccm capacity”
First post-war order from the Josef Panhuber company, 09/20/1945
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Chapter 1959 - 1969
Rotax under the ownership of Lohner-Werke
A multiplicity of engines: from the Sissy scooter to the first Ski-DoosIn producing powertrains for scooters and mopeds, Rotax is meeting the needs of drivers for leisure, adventure and independence. Amongst the many moped and motorcycle producers, one Rotax customer stands out: Lohner-Werke from Vienna. The long-standing producer of luxury coaches makes the switch to Rotax early and Lohner scooters are soon powered by Rotax engines. Rotax is Lohner’s most important supplier and is soon so indispensable that the Viennese company buys Rotax out of being administered by the Republic of Austria. The Gunskirchen firm is now part of a family business again. While the mobility surge continues in the 1960s, the company renews its focus on product and staff development, its training workshop in 1965. Integrated training plans provide Rotax apprentices with the best career prospects in the region. An important customer from Valcourt in Canada also sees favorable prospects. The company has been welcoming Joseph Armand Bombardier since 1961, but those involved aren’t yet aware that Bombardier represents the start of a new chapter for the business. Initially, Rotax and the Canadian businessman are simply pleased with the success of the Ski-Doo, which has a Rotax engine at its heart and becomes a sought-after sports and leisure vehicle.
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AWARD OF THE NATIONAL COAT OF ARMS
- Brand
- History
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THE TRAINING WORKSHOP IS ESTABLISHED
- People
- Locations
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“First Rotax engines for Ski-Doos...”
- Economy
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ROTAX BECOMES A FAMILY BUSINESS AGAIN
- Brand
- Economy
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SETTING NEW RECORDS WITH ROTAX POWER
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- Technology
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- People
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ROTAX with 0101000001000011
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THE START OF A SUCCESSFUL COLLABORATION
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BRP
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A LANDMARK VISIT
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BRP
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ROTAX...ON WATER
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BRP
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“Rotax supplies to Bombardier account for 45 percent of all Austrian exports”
Company report – Rotax, 1968 -
NEW OWNERS: WIENER LOHNERWERKE
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Milestone Chapter
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Chapter 1970 - 1990
Power for Canada – entering a new era with Bombardier
Conquering new territory with Rotax enginesFor the second time in Rotax’ history, a customer turns into an owner. In 1970, after intensive negotiations, the Lohner family sells its business to Bombardier. The new Canadian owner is happy with its acquisition, because Rotax is impressive: With an export rate of 90 percent, it supplies high-performance engines to 18 countries across the globe. Rotax and its almost one thousand employees now trade under the name of Bombardier-Rotax GmbH. Investment in the Gunskirchen location underlines the renewed drive and provides strategic security. Ski-Doo engines remain a core part of the business. At the same time, Rotax engineers have left the modified Sachs engine of the Lohner era far behind and are using their own expertise to develop Rotax engines. Bombardier and Rotax are ideally matched as they collaborate and take advantage of the seventies’ motorcycle craze. Rotax-powered Can-Am Bombardier motorcycles become top sellers. Rotax quality standards are also valued by other motorcycle producers including SWM, Kramer, Aprilia, BMW and Buell. This is an era that is characterized not only by production but by individuals: It is the era of CEO Karl Pötzlberger. A multilingual and eloquent technophile, he understands how to develop strategies with the new owners and to protect Gunskirchen as a location. The end of the 1980s sees large-scale modernization of the location and acceleration of automation. Rotax has long had new wind beneath its wings, but has now also become a world market leader in engines for ultra-light aircraft. The aircraft engines segment is a path that will become even more important in the future.
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New motto: more power
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BRP
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MODERNIZATION IN GUNSKIRCHEN
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“Rotax depended on us – and we depended on Rotax”
Laurent Beaudoin, Bombardier CEO, remenisces, 1967 -
TAKEOVER BY BOMBARDIER AND INVESTMENT IN GUNSKIRCHEN
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“Thailand was more relevant for us than Canada at a much earlier stage...”
Dr. Heinz Lippitsch on the success of Rotax in Thailand, 1960 -
SKI RACING IN VOGUE
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BRP
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EMBODYING THE SPIRIT OF ROTAX
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CONQUERING THE SKIES
Flying high with Rotax engines -
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Milestone Chapter
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“The first racing kart engines are being produced.”
BRP-Rotax company archive, 1983 -
ROTAX ACHIEVES LOFTY HEIGHTS
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THE HIGHPOINT: SUCCESS WITH COMPETITIVE MOTORCYCLING
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Chapter 1990 - 2002
Lean production and technological creativity point the way to success
Rotax as an exporter – the region's largest employerThe 1990s bring more opportunities for Rotax to develop, with engines for karts, Sea-Doos and all-terrain vehicles broadening Rotax’ market reach yet further. The Sea-Doo with a Rotax engine surpasses its Japanese competition by the middle of the decade and Rotax engines in ATVs quickly transform that sector. And because quality is no accident, Rotax takes another step forward in quality assurance. The Rotax-Quality-Production-System, or RQPS for short, optimizes all processes and ensures future models will roll off the production line even better. Innovation becomes an integral part of the operation. The principles of lean production are applied and safety, productivity and quality standards are readjusted. At Rotax, innovation means not only technological virtuosity, it also means modern leadership. Everything depends on teamwork and a collaborative leadership style. At Rotax you're an employee and not a machine operator: you're proactively involved with the management of the company. The future is only ever a heartbeat away. So Rotax is one of the first businesses to use a 3D printer to produce prototypes.
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“Rotax receives the Province of Upper Austria Innovation Award.”
The award is for the development of the RFI Rotax fuel injection system for two stroke engines, 1999 -
EXPORT RATE OF 95 PERCENT
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“Bombardier sponsors the Olympic Games in Salt Lake City, 2002”
100 ATVs und 125 Ski-Doos powered by Rotax are provided. 2002 -
“The SAP system is introduced in Gunskirchen in 1997.”
Interview with Harald Okruch, BRP Rotax Director Information Systems, 2019 -
THREE LITTLE LETTERS AND A KARTING REVOLUTION
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Milestone Chapter
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ROTAX MAX CHALLENGE GRAND FINALS & ROTAX MAX CHALLENGE
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“(...) chosen the Gunskirchen site for the development of a revolutionary new range of engines.”
Unser Oberösterreich magazine, 02/11/2000, on Bombardier's focus on the Gunskirchen site.
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“First-ever training of two girls at Rotax, Gunskirchen.”
Training campaign for young people in and around Wels., 2002 -
2ND SUCCESSFUL START-UP
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BRP
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Conquering new territory
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BRP
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JAMES BOND FAVORS ROTAX
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BRP
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“These changes took us by surprise at first, but ultimately, they were a huge success.”
Wolfgang Rapberger, GM BRP-Rotax / Representative of the Management Board, VP Global Sourcing & Operations Powertrain, talking about RQPS, interview, 2019 -
EVERYONE’S OPINION MATTERS
Introduction of the company suggestions scheme (RVVS)
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Chapter 2003 - 2011
Gaining momentum with Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP)
From economic challenges to the opening of the RICThe first decade of the new millennium is a phase full of far-reaching changes and groundbreaking developments for Rotax. After the Rotax Quality Production System has fundamentally restructured the inner workings of the company in the preceding years, there are significant changes in external circumstances, too. From 2003 Rotax forms part of the newly-founded BRP (Bombardier Recreational Products). Hived off from Bombardier, Gunskirchen trades under the name of BRP-Rotax GmbH & Co KG, focusing more strongly than ever on the production of complex premium powertrain systems. Powertrains for the new side-by-side vehicles breathe new life into the off-road sector, where Rotax’ success once began. Rotax powertrains also deliver high performance for the fast-paced Can-Am Spyder, a combination of motorcycle and roadster. And the company continues to invest heavily in the future, extending the production hall in 2007, and promoting employee health through the construction of a fitness center. Group restructuring in the wake of the global economic downturn of 2008 leads to Rotax being integrated into BRP’s new Powertrain Division. The Powertrain Division is now centered on Gunskirchen, giving the location a more prominent position and developing it into a pioneer of powertrain technology. Investment in a unique innovation center, the Regional Innovation Center (RIC), cushions the impact of the global economic and financial crisis. Since then the RIC has been THE educational engine of the region, providing education and training for all ages.
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THE BRP FAMILY IS BORN
- Brand
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START ME UP
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BRP
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INNOVATION: CAN-AM SPYDER ROADSTER
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BRP
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Milestone Chapter
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ROTAX EARTH DAY
Responsibility for resources and the environment
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“Safety and health are the pillars on which our corporate philosophy rests.”
Marking the first ROTAX Safety Week. -
ATV TRIUMPH AT THE TOUGHEST RALLY
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BRP
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“The production hall is expanded, the fitness center is established”
Construction initiatives to make the location more attractive, 2006 -
POWERTRAIN DIVISION
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BRP
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BRP’s first side-by-side vehicle
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BRP
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“The 7,000,000th engines is produced in April 2011”
A 998 Rotax V-Twin Motor for the Can-Am Spyder
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Chapter 2012 - 2020
Rotax as a premium brand – the ultimate 21st century driving experience
Ready for the challenges of the future with Gunskirchen 2020Rotax premium products stand for speed. And Rotax’ own development is also progressing at speed, with the introduction of the Gunskirchen 2020 modernization and innovation program on December 12, 2012. The establishment of the new Business Units, the construction of new assembly lines and the introduction of recruitment and training processes focused on competencies accelerates the development of Gunskirchen as a location. Industry 4.0, state-of-the-art control technology, automation technology, flexible assembly lines, digital assistance systems, added value manufacturing and mechatronics are just a few of the current and future issues. The group is becoming increasingly international and networked: A new plant is opened in Queretaro, Mexico, for example. Since 2015 the business has traded as BRP-Rotax GmbH & Co KG and, following a short phase as BRP-Powertrain GmbH & Co, it thus once again bears the name of Rotax. The disruption of people’s experience of mobility that began 100 years ago continues today. Thanks to its innovation and quality standards, Rotax has played a leading role in the history of mobility. Over the last 50 years it has developed 350 engine models. In 2018 the 9 millionth, but surely not the last, engine comes off the production line. One phase of development comes to an end with Gunskirchen 2020, but the next program, entitled “Rotax 100 plus”, is already in the starting gate. Initial e-mobility projects are being very well received in the karting world, but traditional powertrain technologies are also being streamlined to improve their performance and efficiency. Thus our statement of intent, “We keep your heart beating” will be no empty promise after 2020, it will be a reality – on land, on water and in the air!
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GUNSKIRCHEN 2020
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¡HOLA MEXICO!
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BRP
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ACTIVE AND HEALTHY EMPLOYEES
- People
- Locations
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“The strongest of the strong with 300 HP”
- Technology
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The Rotax 915 iS aircraft engine
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Rotax THUNDeR
- History
- Technology
- Locations
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“Nine millionth engine is produced”
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The 100th anniversary
- History
- Locations
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Lynx HySnow
- Technology
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HIGH-ALTITUDE EFFICIENCY
- Brand
- Technology
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CSR: A RESPONSIBLE FUTURE
- People
- Locations
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BRP
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Fit For Future
- Economy
- People
- Locations
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THE BIRTH OF THE ROTAX ACADEMY
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“Changing the name to BRP-Rotax GmbH & Co KG”
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BRP
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“The formation of RIC Tech GmbH.”
- Technology
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INDUSTRY 4.0 – LIVING THE FUTURE AT BRP-ROTAX
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- Technology
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THE ROTAX MAX DOME OPENS
- Technology
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“ISO 14001:2004 – Environmental Management Standard met”
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Milestone Chapter
E-MOBILITY IS NOW 100%achieved -
55 YEARS OF THE TRAINING WORKSHOP
- People
- Locations
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ROTAX-BOMBARDIER GOLDEN JUBILEE
Rotax & Bombardier celebrate 50 years of collaboration
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