Urban ropeway transportation network operation

ETAC's mission is to ensure the operation and maintenance of the entire network of urban ropeway transportation systems in Algeria. Due to the size of its network and the number of urban gondola lifts and ropeways, ETAC is the world's leading urban ropeway transportation operator, acknowledged as a key player in the development of services for the mobility of locals.

Network maintenance

With the main objective being “the safety of employees and users”, ETAC is responsible for preventive and curative maintenance of Algerian gondola lift and ropeway equipment. Supervision, checks, technical support, digital operation reports and logs, etc., all these tools are mastered in-house and allow incredibly smooth operation and maintenance of the ropeway equipment. ETAC's teams are experts in all ropeway technologies, from the oldest systems that opened in 1956 to the most recent.

The POMA group's operational training core

Since its creation, ETAC has placed the development of human capital at the centre of its priorities, with the transfer of skills as a fundamental lever. ETAC has already trained over 600 people at its training centre in the operation and maintenance of ropeway transportation systems. This is the equivalent of over 12,000 hours of training, using the most innovative specialised interactive learning material on the market: UPILOT®.

With such highly prized skills, ETAC's expertise in operation and maintenance is exported beyond the Algerian borders.

Feasibility studies and creating new installations

Ropeway transportation is particularly well suited to the topography of Algerian cities. To meet the demand, ETAC is responsible for the feasibility studies and the creation of new installations across the country. A team dedicated to major projects and made up of civil engineers and architects, etc. has been set up to complete these projects, from the statement of requirements stage to final acceptance of the installation.

The first 3D simulator cabin

POMA designed a gondola lift 3D simulator that has been installed in the ETAC training centre. Trainees acquire skills more quickly and serenely. Several scenarios are available to trainees who can learn how to control the equipment, test operations under normal operating conditions, learn how to diagnose a failure and resolve it, and even manage operations in degraded situations (complicated weather, external incidents, etc.). This practical application of theoretical knowledge allows trainees to make mistakes without endangering people or property.

A training centre like no other

ETAC owns a training centre to develop the skills of its personnel. By promoting digital training tools and multimedia material such as LMS (Learning Management System), a learning platform for completing a training course and publishing content online, and the process trainer, which uses guided and automatic videos for familiarisation with procedures through active and dynamic learning

The creation of ETAC was an important step in the development of the POMA group. A leader in the design and construction of ropeway transportation systems, POMA expands its field of expertise and develops new services from new professions dedicated to the operation and maintenance of ropeways in urban areas.

Technical and commercial assistance 24 hours a day

POMA Vietnam is the preferred point of contact for East Asian customers whenever they encounter a technical problem or any other need. With the creation of POMA Vietnam, customers obtain an immediate response to the most urgent technical problems or if repairs are required due to unexpected external events.

Maintenance level monitoring

POMA Vietnam guarantees the level of service and maintenance of its customers' ropeways. Frequent inspections and operations on each system ensure that customers maintain a high level of safety and availability. The solutions offered are always optimised from a performance as well as budgetary point of view.

Development of new projects

POMA Vietnam supports the design and construction of new ropeway and gondola projects. Sharing the same language and the same culture as well as having a permanent local presence allows us to understand the regional market and anticipate the needs of urban or tourist mobility.

Annual maintenance plan for each system

By adapting the regulatory preventive maintenance plan to the needs of each customer, POMA Vietnam draws up a specific annual maintenance plan for each ropeway system. This plan ensures high-level maintenance while minimising downtime and costs to the customer.

Technical and commercial assistance 24 hours a day

POMA Vietnam is the preferred point of contact for East Asian customers whenever they encounter a technical problem or any other need. With the creation of POMA Vietnam, customers obtain an immediate response to the most urgent technical problems or if repairs are required due to unexpected external events.

Maintenance level monitoring

POMA Vietnam guarantees the level of service and maintenance of its customers' ropeways. Frequent inspections and operations on each system ensure that customers maintain a high level of safety and availability. The solutions offered are always optimised from a performance as well as budgetary point of view.

Development of new projects

POMA Vietnam supports the design and construction of new ropeway and gondola projects. Sharing the same language and the same culture as well as having a permanent local presence allows us to understand the regional market and anticipate the needs of urban or tourist mobility.

After sales activities

The POMA Korea subsidiary plays a decisive role in the customer service for POMA ropeway transport systems in South Korea. Through regular interactions with customers, it provides concrete and specific solutions to resolve their operation and maintenance issues throughout the life of the systems, and even offers targeted assistance to improve their performance.

POMA Korea also supports its customers at each stage, including  maintenance, inspection, revision and renovation of the systems. Resolve, know-how, commitment and proximity make all the difference.

Mechanical welding of ropeway transport sub-assemblies

For more than 60 years, SACMI has been producing metal parts for ropeway transport structures. The industrial mastery of the manufacturing processes (sheet metal making, manual and robot welding) allows SACMI to adapt to different request and to remain flexible in terms of deadlines and costs, while complying with demanding quality standards (SACMI is notably EN 1090 EXC4 and ISO 9001 certified).

Machining of specific components

SACMI is equipped with a machining centre to ensure optimal surface finish and geometry. The functionality and the level of safety of the parts processed on site are controlled from A to Z. Machining centres are able to handle small series of parts just as well as large custom components.

Installation and pre-assembly of mechanical sub-assemblies

SACMI’s assembly workshops produce mechanical sub-assemblies from mechanically-welded and machined structures.
Station modules, station structures, motor units, voltage units, sheaves and line elements for the Group's mono-cable and multi-cable systems are pre-assembled, adjusted, wired and tested in the workshop before being shipped to the site.
This work is carried out in collaboration with POMA teams and other subsidiaries in order to maximise the added value produced in the workshop and thus reduce exposure to the constraints of external sites.

The Group’s logistics platform

The SACMI logistics department manages the flow of parts for the Group. Its main missions are the unloading and inspection of goods, inventory management, preparation of components necessary for production, loading and shipping of components to subcontractors or to construction sites.
SACMI is the main logistics platform of the POMA Group.

The 5-part sheave is a major development for the industry. Sheaves are parts at the heart of the system and are used to drive the rope. They are manufactured entirely by SACMI (assembly, welding, machining, painting and mounting of the liner) and can measure up to 6 metres in diameter.
The 5-part sheave consists of a hub and 4 quarter sheaves, which are assembled on site. This innovation optimises the possibilities of packaging, transport and handling of the equipment until it is installed on site during the construction phase.

As part of its social commitment, SACMI regularly organises site visits to promote the “Made in France” industry and its unique know-how.
Last year, SACMI had the pleasure of welcoming:

• Students from engineering and management schools, vocational high schools,
• Professionals from the region, the sector, business associations including Talents Féminins de Savoie,
• Customers and delegations

Operations and maintenance

Given POMA Egypt's primary area of expertise, the subsidiary initially focused on its activity as an operator, under an exclusive contract with Cairo Airport. The APM under operation now has an availability rate of 99.9%, supported by structured preventive maintenance, a demanding quality system comprising procedures, tests and continuous improvement, led by an expert team.
POMA Egypt has become a benchmark throughout the Group, and has laid the foundation for a benchmark standard for the Operation and Maintenance of installations worldwide.

Training and skills transfer centre

Being able to count on staff who are perfectly proficient in ropeway transport systems is essential to achieving the required level of safety and availability. For this purpose, POMA has been training operating and maintenance teams, even the most inexperienced in the field, for many years.

As experts, POMA Egypt employees are qualified to help upgrade the skills of operating teams. In addition to a proven training method for a variety of audiences, POMA Egypt trainers recommend best operating and maintenance practices, share their feedback and help improve the overall level of customer knowledge. The POMA Egypt training team are key players in the POMA Group's trainer network, which operates around the world.

POMA's commercial roots in Egypt

Africa and the Middle East are experiencing strong demographic growth and are facing the mobility challenges of tomorrow's cities. POMA Egypt uses its experience to support transportation projects and promote the development of more sustainable transport solutions in the region.

Rope Monitoring technology

To optimise maintenance operations, POMA Egypt has installed a cable monitoring system developed by our partner HALEC, which helps to monitor the condition of cables throughout the life cycle of the equipment. With full knowledge of all the operating challenges of a cable (including downtime, costs, transport, etc.), the information collected is capitalised and used for the continuous improvement of the systems.

Vibration monitoring

POMA Egypt uses a vibration monitoring solution on the Cairo APM which is essential for monitoring the operation of the APM’s critical components. The solution, with its proven benefits for the system, has been deployed on many other sites of the POMA Group.

Dedicated computer network

The Galala tourist gondola lift was the first site to be equipped with a complete computer network between its two stations, allowing the collection of operating data and secure remote access to video surveillance and fault diagnosis as well as to the ticket office. A POMA innovation!