The Insights from IAAPA specials continue with reaction and exclusive interviews from the latest IAAPA Expo Europe held in Barcelona. We sat down with Edward Cromheecke, Vice President Fabbri Group to discuss the success of their show in Barcelona, new ride sales, and the current state of the visitor attraction market.
How was the IAAPA Show?
“I think in general the show was very good because it was a good attendance. I think also the people that you have in the show are very motivated people. We also have our normal clients just come and say hello. And many people ask for our new rides.”
Tell us about your new ride sales
“We have a new ride called Impact, which is in a park version and also in the mobile version. The mobile version we sold two times already here in Spain. And maybe there is a third potential sale coming up for the Netherlands. We are also promoting our new tower versions to parks. So, we are doing one in Dubai and one in Mexico. We are a global manufacturer, and we need to be that because the diversification in the world is very, very important.
“Our Ferris wheels are very important for us. So, we are promoting also the higher wheels, the giant wheels, starting from 53metres up to 100metres. Also, we have a client in Germany who’s going for probably a 100metre wheel.
“Furthermore, we are building up at the moment in Colombia a 63-metre wheel and from there we have get a lot of requests now from other South American countries to build the same wheel and then in another country. So, we make promotion with the assembly of a wheel in one country for another country.
“Here in the show, we have an American park is interested in multiple rides, currently in the infant stage of discussion.”
How do you see the current climate of the visitor attraction market?
“I think that the mobile market, because we are also showing the mobile market, is going down. Because right after the COVID, there has been great attendance in all the fun fairs. And this is coming down again like the situation a little bit before COVID. Whereas the parts also show us a growing interest right after the COVID and now I have the idea that it’s calming a little bit down.
“But if you meet in the show three of your clients that are interested in new things and you do a contract, then everything will be fine. Have that optimism and things are going to be bouncing back.
“But for 2026, our company is really good for the production. Therefore, we are concentrating on the 27 and 28 years. You have to have that forward planning of thinking one, three, five years in advance in terms of what you’re doing with your clients, not just a short term.
“We are focusing on the smaller and the middle grade parks. We are not really focusing on the very, very big parks like Universal, like Disney, because it’s not really our target. Because you have to look also to what your organisation is and what your clients can be. That is very important.
“We are focusing on that part of the market and also with the pricing, you need to be a little bit careful. You cannot ask the prices that you should ask with Disney alone, where the requirements are also different. So, we are focusing on that market, and that market is still healthy.”
How long have you worked with the company?
“I have been in the company since 2006 so 19 years and I’ve been in the business for 25 years. And I still will be in the business for almost six years. And then I keep on working.
“Our company is based in the northeast of Italy. So, we are 120km from Venice. Or 60km from the Garda Lake. That’s a very nice environment. We also have a ride there called Spinning Mouse.”
Image: Fabbri Group
