RIDES
MAURER-SÖHNE WOLFGANG BROST
VICE PRESIDENT SALES & MARKETING, AMUSEMENT RIDES
Tell us about your most recent thrill coaster offering. The first coaster equipped with our new X-Train will soon open in Ningbo, China. With X-Train, we’re aiming for a niche between classical coasters with lots of elements on a compact footprint and the big hypercoasters which typically have a lot of camelbacks, (which I find rather boring). Our train is developed according to the latest global standards, withstanding high g-forces and running through very tight radii. Our aim is to create coasters for customers who want a hypercoaster with heights of 50 metres- plus (164 feet) and high capacities.
What have been the major developments at Maurer lately? The all-new X-Car Evolution, equipped with our Multimedia X-Seat. With these new products we’re not only fulfilling the latest standards but also future standards. We’ll see general improvements like king-pin- steering, spring-loaded side wheels and enhanced theming possibilities. Moreover, we’ll enable customers to use sound and light effects and interactivity on new rides.
Where do you see trends going? We’re beyond the time when everybody tried to break records – the fastest,
highest, most thrilling, most inversions. At some point riding these coasters becomes more like a test of courage than fun! I see a trend to more theming and storytelling, creating immersive, appealing attractions rather than pure coasters. Our Saturn V project, which we made
in collaboration with Raven Sun, is an example of this. We show that you don’t need Disney budgets to create a fully themed attraction. The space theming is one example of how this can be very affordable (and with low maintenance costs) even for family and mid-size parks. Hersheypark will be opening this attraction, Laff Trakk, in 2015 and it’s
Hersheypark’s indoor, spinning, glow coaster is due to open soon (left); the new 24-seat X-Train is the next generation of the X-Car
the first project born out of this idea, with completely different theming. Another trend is parks focusing on
areas instead of single attractions. We’re seeing makeovers of areas using famous brand IPs and in some cases complete parks are branded. In response, Maurer has teamed up with One World Studios and Porsche and can offer a very interesting concept for a fully themed park area featuring the Porsche Iconic Ride.
How is the market climate? The aftermath of the recession is finally behind us, and new investment’s coming into the market. The industry’s in a stronger position than ever. Speeding up with products and concepts is imperative, and staying ahead of the competition means being innovative and coming up with new ideas to fill niches in the market.
What are you doing that other coaster makers aren’t? Our business division is totally focused on rollercoasters. We have all competencies and capabilities in-house from the first sketch for a new ride until its grand opening. We cover the whole process of innovating, engineering, manufacturing, erecting and commissioning the rides.
The X-Car Evolution guarantees a smooth ride of up to 100kph 72 Read Attractions Management online
attractionsmanagement.com/digital
Do you have any concerns about the industry? With the new standards released lately, my only concern is that there might be manufacturers in other parts of the world who do not follow these standards and harm the overall image of our industry.
AM 4 2014 ©Cybertrek 2014
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