Pioneering spirit, craftsmanship & relentless drive for innovation
Franz Mack (1921–2010) was a family entrepreneur who combined tradition and progress in a unique way. With his tireless innovative spirit and deep craftsmanship, he shaped the global leisure industry. As the founding father of Europa-Park, he realised a vision that would inspire generations.
Together with his son Roland Mack, he risked almost his entire private fortune in 1975 to create a theme park that is now one of the best in the world. His life's work is reflected in the companies of the MACK Group, which continue to build on his values of quality, diligence and modesty to this day.
Be modest and persevere – that was my father's motto in life, which we still live by today in our family and in our company.
Family tradition & economic foresight
Franz Mack was born in Waldkirch in 1921 and grew up surrounded by the family business, which had made a name for itself since 1780 with its precision craftsmanship and innovative strength. From an early age, he developed a fascination for technology and design that would later make him one of the world's leading manufacturers of them park rides. After training as a master coachbuilder, he played a key role in the development of MACK Rides and led the company to national and international success.
A life dedicated to technology and entrepreneurship
Despite extremely adverse circumstances - including being a prisoner of war during the Second World War - Franz Mack never lost his entrepreneurial spirit. On his return to Germany in 1958, he and his brothers took over the management of MACK Rides and turned the company into a world-renowned manufacturer of theme park rides. The globe he designed with the slogan 'The wide world is my field' symbolised his global ambitions. With developments such as the revolutionary carousel rides of the 1950s and the introduction of polythene in ride construction, he set new standards in the industry and catapulted the Mack family business to the top of the world.
The big move: The founding of Europa-Park
In 1975, Franz Mack and his son Roland made the bold decision to found Europa-Park in Rust. Although the park was originally intended as a showcase for MACK Rides' attractions, it quickly became a major tourist attraction. Despite initial scepticism and major financial challenges, Franz Mack had complete confidence in his vision and invested all his resources into the project. His tireless dedication, entrepreneurial courage, and keen sense of quality have created a world of experiences that has thrilled over 150 million visitors to date.
His motto, ‘Be modest and stick with it’, was more than just a slogan; it was a deeply ingrained philosophy of life that made him a role model for many generations. It was this attitude that shaped Europa-Park into a place where dreams come true and people from all over the world experience joy. His commitment to the highest quality transformed a small family business into a globally renowned company whose values remain intact to this day.
Our father was a great role model to all of us, right until the end of his life. He embodied modesty, diligence, perseverance, sincerity, emotional intelligence and openness. These values have had a lasting impact on our family and our company.
The cornerstone of his success was his family
Innovations that revolutionised the leisure industry
Not only was Franz Mack an outstanding entrepreneur, he was also a visionary designer whose inventions have had a lasting impact on the leisure industry. In the 1950s, he created a real box-office hit with the revolutionary Calypso carousel, which the industry celebrated as the ‘economic miracle carousel’ and which made MACK Rides internationally famous.
Some of his most innovative designs can still be found at Europa-Park today:
- Eurosat - a dark rollercoaster that became a symbol of the park thanks to its sophisticated technology and iconic dome
- Euro-Mir - a unique spinning coaster that set new standards with its rotating gondolas and futuristic design
Franz Mack's creations were not just technical masterpieces; they were also an expression of his extraordinary inventive spirit and passion for inspiring people with groundbreaking experiences.
Honours for an extraordinary life's work
His pioneering work has been recognised with numerous prestigious awards:
- 1984 – Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany
- 1997 – Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany, 1st class
- 2005 – Inducted into the Hall of Fame of the IAAPA (International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions)
- 2019 – Establishment of the Franz Mack Foundation to preserve his legacy
