originally posted on 5/12/2023
Railblazer is one of RMC’s two original single-rail roller coasters and remains one of California's Great America’s most popular attractions.
Photo: Tom Zeliff. View full-sized image.
While it has become somewhat commonplace for amusement parks to change hands through mergers of operators, it is rare when two suppliers join forces. The varying nature of Larson International and Rocky Mountain Construction’s (RMC) areas of expertise had their announced union sounding like an April Fool’s Day joke a couple weeks too late, but a closer look revealed it was serious news with wide-reaching implications.
Air Crow is an example of Larson International’s Flying Scooters – a reimagining of an industry classic that has become a staple at amusement parks in recent years.
Photo: Jeffrey Seifert. View full-sized image.
Larson International, founded in 1967 as a farm equipment manufacturer, is now established as a supplier of well-known flat rides like the Tilt-A-Whirl, Flying Scooters and Giant Loop, while RMC has proved itself to be an innovative builder of roller coasters since its 2001 inception. Yet it is the differing nature of the two companies that perhaps makes them perfectly poised for success in a changing industry landscape.
Numerous factors came into play but to find the true catalyst behind the merger, the focus shifts to the retirement of Jeff Novotny. Starting with Larson while a student at Texas Tech, Novotny ended up purchasing the company from founder Walter Larson. During his tenure as owner of Larson, he founded the Roller Coaster Hall of Fame, solidifying his legacy as an industry innovator and leader.
Larson International.
Photo: Cheri Armstrong. View full-sized image.
Rocky Mountain Construction.
Photo: Jeffrey Seifert. View full-sized image.
“After working closely with RMC for several years, Novotny believed that a combined entity would be a powerhouse in the industry,” said Darren Torr, RMC’s President and Chief Executive Officer who will oversee leadership of the new company. His belief is the broad ride catalog offered by the business – offering everything from proven flat rides to roller coasters appealing to riders of all kinds and offered to parks at a multitude of price points – will establish it as a premier supplier across the globe.
Larson International’s offerings include the Giant Loop and new variations of the iconic Tilt-A-Whirl.
Photo: Tim Baldwin. View full-sized image.
Photo: Jeff Filicko. View full-sized image.
In the immediate future, the company will maintain both the RMC and Larson brands, with the latter maintained to provide continuity, especially due to its domestic focus. However, the RMC brand will eventually receive increased emphasis in the market due to the advantages of building upon the good will the brand has developed outside of the United States. The combined company will include both original sites utilized in reference to their unique capabilities and workload, and staffing will be aligned as dictated by business requirements.
“RMC has invested heavily in design talent and is looking forward to accelerating innovation,” said Torr. “We plan to build on Larson’s iconic portfolio to modernize existing rides as well as innovate based on current ride platforms.”
Among those innovations is a new roller coaster design that will be marketed to select customers beginning this summer. Although Torr remains tight-lipped regarding the details, he states it will be a family-oriented concept employing a variation of the company’s innovative welded steel track – what Torr refers to as the “secret sauce.”
RMC’s I-Box track has made possible a new breed of roller coaster, and its innovations will form the basis for the company’s upcoming expansion with new products.
Photo: Tim Baldwin. View full-sized image.
“Our I-Box track is naturally flexed unlike tubular track that has to be bent and kinked into shape,” explained Torr while hinting at what’s to come. “It will be fun, not intimidating, but still offer what we’re known for, including airtime and off-axis sections.”
Fun Spot America’s Atlanta location is home to RMC’s newest creation, ArieForce One. The company’s upcoming new products will offer something decidedly less intense.
Photo: Jack Lathrop. View full-sized image.
Meanwhile, the company is moving forward with 208 RetraK, an innovation that replaces traditional wooden track on existing roller coasters.
“I expect over time customers will completely replace wood track with 208 RetraK,” said Torr, citing reduced operational expenses, a smoother ride, and less wear and tear on structural components. “The value proposition is very strong – about 15 percent more than replacement wood track, but four to five times the lifespan, and maybe more.”
208 RetraK takes advantage of RMC’s unique circumstances – because it involves only replacing the track, there is no need to worry about motors, electric systems, and programmable logic controllers. It gives the company better control over the construction of its products while eliminating outside markups.
RMC believes its unique manufacturing techniques will enable parks with wood roller coasters to cut back on maintenance requirements and costs while maintaining the original spirit of the rides’ designs.
Photo: Tim Baldwin. View full-sized image.
To date, both Silverwood Theme Park’s (Athol, Idaho) Timber Terror and Tremors wood coasters have received 208 RetraK, and Fun Spot America’s (Kissimmee, Florida) Mine Blower is currently undergoing a major overhaul with the assistance of RMC’s new innovation. Torr is proud of this but also understands wood coaster purists will endure conflicted emotions.
“High G turns are demanding with their lateral loads and need to be replaced every three years.” This results in parks spending upwards of $300-400k annually replacing wood track, in addition to needing to employ a staff of carpenters to perform regular work.
“We maintain the original profiles,” insisted Torr. “After all, I love the out of control feeling of banging around wood coasters, but many guests appreciate the improved smoothness of the replacement track and parks appreciate the higher guest satisfaction.”
— Rob Ascough, ACE News Editor
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