Leading The Future Of Ropeway Safety: Curt Panter Joins TÜV SÜD America As Chief Ropeway Engineer

Published on December 9, 2025

TÜV SÜD America has announced the appointment of Curt Panter as its Chief Ropeway Engineer for the Americas. In this role, he will lead the company’s accredited ropeway services throughout North and South America. This change is part of TÜV SÜD America’s ongoing efforts to improve its capabilities in the ropeway sector, with a focus on safety and technical quality. Panter brings over 35 years of experience in engineering and ropeway safety. He will manage technical reviews, audits, and consultations for various ropeway systems, including ski lifts and urban transport systems.

The announcement occurred at the company’s offices in Wakefield, Massachusetts. It signifies a strategic investment in ensuring safety and quality within the ropeway industry. With his extensive technical knowledge and regulatory experience, Panter will assist TÜV SÜD America in maintaining its leadership in the ropeway engineering field.

Curt Panter’s Background and Expertise

Curt Panter has a career spanning over three decades, with significant experience in ropeway safety and civil engineering. His previous role at the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service allowed him to provide civil and structural engineering oversight. This experience gave him valuable knowledge about ensuring the safe operation of ropeways, particularly in national forests. During his time there, Panter worked to ensure compliance with national safety standards for ropeways on National Forest lands.

Panter’s experience extends beyond oversight. He has played a key role in developing and enforcing ASTM International F24 safety standards for recreational facilities across the Western United States. Since becoming a registered professional engineer in 1994, his regulatory expertise has been essential in improving safety protocols for ropeways in various regions.

Alongside his work at the Forest Service, Panter has been actively involved in many national and international ropeway safety organizations. His contributions to committees such as the ANSI B77.1 Committee, the Utah Passenger Ropeway Safety Committee, OITAF, and ITTAB have significantly shaped safety standards for ropeways around the world.

Key Responsibilities for Panter

As Chief Ropeway Engineer, Curt Panter will oversee technical reviews, audits, and consultation services related to ropeways and similar systems. This will involve managing safety checks for ski lifts, urban transport systems, and other ropeway infrastructure. A crucial part of his role will be to ensure the efficient delivery of TÜV SÜD America’s ropeway services.

Panter will also represent TÜV SÜD America at industry events and forums, engaging with global stakeholders to promote progress in ropeway technology and safety. His role includes coordinating technical resources across different markets in the Americas, helping TÜV SÜD America stay at the leading edge of ropeway engineering and certification.

The Growing Role of TÜV SÜD America in the Ropeway Industry

TÜV SÜD America has established itself as a leading player in testing, inspection, and certification services globally. With over 95 years of experience, the company has worked on more than 100 amusement park projects and inspected over 18,000 rides worldwide. Its services cover testing, certification, and consultation for amusement rides, water parks, and ropeways.

The company’s hub in Tampa, Florida, acts as the main base for testing, inspection, and certification services for the amusement ride and theme park industry. With its broad expertise and wide industry reach, TÜV SÜD America plays a vital role in ensuring the safe operation of amusement parks, water parks, and ropeways in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.

With Curt Panter joining the team, TÜV SÜD America is set to enhance its ropeway services in North and South America and continue its commitment to high safety standards for ropeway operators and manufacturers.

A Focus on Safety and Industry Leadership

The appointment of Curt Panter emphasizes TÜV SÜD America’s dedication to maintaining top safety standards in the ropeway industry. Panter’s regulatory knowledge, combined with his engineering experience, will allow TÜV SÜD America to lead in ensuring the safety and reliability of ropeway systems throughout the Americas.

The ropeway sector, which includes ski lifts, urban transport systems, and cable cars, plays a critical role in transportation and recreation in many areas. Given the importance of ropeway safety, Panter’s leadership will strengthen TÜV SÜD America’s ability to provide safety assurance at all stages of ropeway operation, from design to maintenance.

TÜV SÜD’s Global Reach and Future Outlook

TÜV SÜD’s ropeway division has become a significant player in the global ropeway engineering and safety market. As the industry evolves with new technology, TÜV SÜD America is committed to keeping pace with these changes and offering new solutions to meet the demands of the ropeway sector.

Panter’s appointment is part of TÜV SÜD America’s plan to expand its skills and services to address the rising demand for high-quality ropeway systems in the Americas. With his rich experience and strong grasp of regulatory and safety standards, Panter will be essential in helping TÜV SÜD America stay at the forefront of ropeway technology and safety.

As the company continues to grow its services and expertise, it is well-positioned to meet the needs of ropeway operators, manufacturers, and regulatory bodies in the Americas. This will provide essential support to guarantee the safe and efficient operation of these systems in the future.

Conclusion

The appointment of Curt Panter as Chief Ropeway Engineer at TÜV SÜD America marks an important step in the company’s efforts to lead the ropeway industry in safety and technical excellence. With his extensive experience in ropeway engineering and safety standards, Panter is prepared to help TÜV SÜD America maintain its reputation as a leader in testing, inspection, and certification. As TÜV SÜD America continues to expand its role in the ropeway sector, Panter’s leadership will be crucial in advancing safety standards and supporting the growth of the ropeway industry across the Americas.