Old ropeway ropes for new bridges

Ropeway and elevator ropes as a component of suspension bridges in the third world - many readers might think that is not a good fit. "By no means," the company FATZER AG Wire Ropes from Romanshorn opposes and shows how thousands of people in third world countries are helped with discarded ropes and the "iron" will of an engineer.

"This bridge builder, is he part of an organization?" A strong wind blew towards Toni Rüttimann as he tried to convince the relentless military junta in Myanmar of his bridge-building project in 2008. 

Today, 10 years later, Toni Rüttimann is back in Myanmar, together with a rope expert from FATZER AG Wire Ropes: During his three-month sabbatical, project manager Matthias Stacher supports charitable bridge building and thus becomes part of a mission that now enables millions of people in third world and emerging countries to cross canyons and rivers at any time of the year and regardless of the water level. 

The constructions have been perfected and the bridges are wide enough for the small tractors and oxe carriages of the locals by now. Thanks to the proven lifespan of 20 years, they are invaluable to the rural population.

Efficient recycling

In the past 12 years, FATZER AG Wire Ropes has donated a total of 231 tonnes or 291,000 metres of high-tensile stranded and spiral ropes. Together with old conveyor belt mats from Zurich Airport, steel pipes from pipelines from Argentina and metal sheets, more than 800 bridges have been built to date.

Thanks to the regular donations, Toni "El Suizo" Rüttimann still has enough material for another 80 bridges, which will make it easier or even possible for many people to access schools, markets and medical facilities. This year, FATZER has once again contributed to Toni Rüttimann continuing to build his bridges for charity.