The Insights from IAAPA specials from Barcelona comes to a close for this edition with an exclusive interview with Tomas Havlik, Head of Sales at ABC Rides Switzerland. The discussion features the range of products ABC Rides Switzerland offers, market focus, and future outlook.
Tell us about your company and your professional background
“I’m Thomas Havlik, the head of sales in ABC Rides Switzerland. We are a company running since 1997. One of most successful rides in our portfolio is our Mini Flume, a very nice water ride that could be the first ride for small kids before entering the huge one. We are now fitting an installation for a customer in the Netherlands. We are also right now in the first steps of the project executions in Brazil for a customer.
“Our flagship product right now is our AGV system, which we have placed a lot of energy into. You can see it also in the media that we are pushing the AGV Tractor. But the tractor is just a kind of a design which we decide to go with first. But you can also decide to have it with a safari design or a fireworker car. It is a really unique concept which you will not find right now on the market that much.
“It’s a completely autonomous driven system. You have the possibility to steer and accelerate by yourself. On top of that, there is a system which is covering you in a way that the track, once is defined, you cannot leave it. So even if you don’t see fences, the system brings you back on track very smoothly. You have a multiple path choosing, which is also really unique. So, if the track is designed well, the guests can experience this ride multiple times and can choose another direction, so it brings a big difference. There are different obstacles that can be built on the track. And we have inclinations which are quite funny to drive over. In short, this is our product which we are pushing a lot – this year our booth is about the AGV tractor.
“We have also other products we are now pushing into the market. We’ve sold two projects with an updated ride system which has this rope pulling the boats around the channel. We have designed a completely new system where you have a chain lying on the ground, completely attached. You don’t need a high-water level and it’s perfect for small, compact, maybe also indoor solutions where you want to have a boat system dark ride surrounding. We are opening two projects with this system over the next two years.
“We also have forged a close cooperation to Intamin. There are some synergies between us which will bring ABC in a good direction.”
Which of the markets are especially working well for ABC Rides Switzerland?
“I have support from my colleague Johan Forsbergh who is focussing more on Europe and a little bit outside Europe. The US market is always not that easy, but in the past we have some project there, Asia as well. Me personally, I am responsible for sales towards the German speaking market. I see a lot of potential because in Germany you find a lot of small parks and also something that we are now pushing the last two years is a little bit the zoos. I think they are also going to be transferred in their way of creating new situations for the customers because you have a lot of zoos already which are trying some new ways.
“For instance, at Leipzig Zoo they have the town code system, which was provided by Intamin some years ago and has become really successful. Of course, it’s not the way to go there and offer a big coaster but people are looking at some of our AGV models, for example models which are designed as a Jeep ride could be a very nice, themed ride which you can find in a zoo, for example. The zoos are always pushing towards the educational direction, which is also not a problem because we can build our tractors with a really nice audio system, which when it’s triggered, you can tell your own bespoke story. So, I see there a lot of potential in small to mid-size parks, plus zoos, wild parks; this is the market we are focussed on right now. We are open for everything.
“ABC Rides has a strong reputation for prototypes, which I personally like very much. We have what we call a human catapult. It’s called the “Ultra Shock” and it is found in a park in the middle of Germany. It’s a really unique ride. So, we are open for everything in the market.”
How you see attractions developing in the future?
“I think the direction which a lot of parks are asking for, and of which is an area what we can provide with our AGV, is the storytelling systems involving dark rides possibilities. We can present a good combination between a ride which is able to perform inside and outside. I think storytelling is something that in the future is an area that is going to be asked about more and place more emphasis on this trend.”
Expectations to take from IAAPA Expo Europe
“We are always hoping for new contacts, but honestly, most of the contacts one already has. You’re doing a good job if all the contacts you meet here are the first contacts. But the beauty of IAAPA is you never know. It’s always the one or the other contact which was not expected and just happens randomly.
“The IAAPA Expos are a good opportunity to take some inspirations from the industry in general. It’s always a pleasure to meet colleagues, even other competitors and socialising in the evening. So, it’s always worth it. For sure it’s an exhausting week but in a good way. The show here seems a lot busier than previously. For me, it’s my third show and my impression today is it is really, really busy. It’s not a secret anymore that the European exhibition is growing. I think for some customers from Europe it’s not necessary anymore to travel to Orlando maybe because they made all the contacts here in Europe. I always return from this event with a positive vibe.”
