Grand Pier supplier profile
Gravitron attractions a key part of pier redevelopment
The redevelopment of the Grand Pier in Weston-super-Mare, has highlighted the work of UK ride and attractions manufacturer Gravitron, with the Gloucester-based company designing and building many of the attractions which will entertain visitors to the pier. Andrew Mellor takes a closer look at the company which has made such a major contribution to what must surely rank as the country’s most ambitious seaside pier project to date
GRAVITRON has its roots in Dursley, Gloucestershire, UK, having been founded there by Heather Latham and Morgan Nicholas in 1995 for the purpose of manufacturing electric vehicles. Having soon identified an opportunity to
create and market the petrol-free electric go- karts which accounted for much of the growth of the company in its early years, this success led Gravitron to develop its business to incorporate the design and manufacture of comparable products such as children’s karts, electric boats and snow mobiles. More recently, and with further expansion
being necessary, the company relocated to Stroud, also in Gloucestershire, where today it has a staff of 40 including world-class designers, engineers, welders, electricians, carpenters and artists, all engaged in the design, construction and installation of a wide range of bespoke rides and attractions aimed at the leisure and entertainment industry. Currently, the customer base covers venues such as piers, amusement and theme parks, historic homes and holiday parks, throughout the UK and around the world.
24 The company’s key skill is in the
field of robust, low-maintenance, AC brushless electric motors suitable for a wide range of applications in the automotive industry and other sectors, as well as in the vehicles, rides and amusements it produces for leisure industry customers. These days, of course, operators are always
looking to be as environmentally friendly as they possibly can, something Gravitron is clearly set up to benefit from. Despite the fact that electric go-karts can cost as much as three times more than their petrol powered counterparts, low maintenance and running costs mean that the total outlay over a three-year period is lower and as electric go-karts are “greener” with none of the fumes and pollution associated with fossil fuels, they are ideal for indoor installation, negating the requirement for costly extraction systems. Gravitron’s extensive design and consultancy
services, which incorporate feasibility studies and rapid prototyping, are fundamental to the
business and the creation of custom designed products to meet the individual need of its clients. All fabrication and manufacturing is carried out at the company’s factory premises, with all rides being tested prior to shipping, while Gravitron also carries out the installation and commissioning processes to take projects right through to handover to the customer. And now the company has a spectacular
showcase of its capabilities and products with the installations it has completed at the Grand Pier, approximately 50 miles from its headquarters premises, where Gravitron has designed, built, installed and commissioned eight bespoke rides and attractions, in a contract worth in excess of £3m. Pride of place among these must go to the 300m (984ft) long, two-level go-kart track – the
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60