No, I do not think B&M will remain the premier coaster manufacturer........their coasters are getting repetitive, and parks are discovering other companies with new fresh ideas (the ones above).
Definitely Giovanola, Arrow, Intamin, Vekoma, and S&S. If B&M doesn't do anything NEW and exciting they'll end up fading away. The thing that made B&M really popular in the 90's is the smoothness of their rides. But now Giovanola, Intamin, and the new Arrows are just as smooth. And IMHO much more exciting.
I think that Intamin has a very bright future.
Vekoma, S&S, Arrow, Giovanola, and Intamin. B&M has to build LIM or LSM coasters. Parks are getting tired of the same ol' thing. All the companies I listed have some excellent ideas and have attained B&M's smoothness. B&M should definitely look into building an LIM coaster.
You might not of heard of them now but JMC is gonna be big in 15-20 yrs. Its stands for just more coasters and Jack, Matt, and Charlie. Of course Charlie(me)will be the brains of the company.
---------------------------- You can't run and you can't hide...the beasts at PKI
Hmm - in the next 5 years I could see the following companies doing very well:
1. Intamin - Why? They're aggressively expanding their market between the shuttles, full circuit and now wood coasters - had some rough spots in the beginning but now their designs are top notch and if quality follows watch out!
2. B&M - Rock Solid. Quality. Expensive. They deliver exactly what their customer orders - expensive however so that definitely limits their market and why I have Intamin on top.
3. CCI - Solid Design philosophy, I think their relationship with Gerstlauer is dragging them down though. A rising star and very likely to corner the premium wood market.
4. Vekoma - another Why? They're cheap, the general public likes the coasters and they can drop down a new one fairly quickly - big plus for the majority of the amusement park market, so their market share will grow - they even have flashes of brillance on occasion.
5. Big tie here S&S/Giovanola/Arrow - all are now starting into the market full swing. Arrow has to regain its past glory (minus using coat hangers for designs) which can be a tough job even with all the prototypes they're tossing around (one 1 has been bought so far). Giovanola is just getting its teeth into the large scale coaster market, I wasn't impressed with Goliath, but a wait-and-see attitude is beneficial here. S&S is just starting out as well - but Thrust Air has massive potential, lets see if it gets used! Plus their new designs could rocket them right up the charts so its a little early to put them higher on the list but they have great potential.
Have Fun!
George
*** This post was edited by CoasterGeorge on 4/14/2001. ***
TrBiggar said: [i5. Schwarzkopf (I hope his son can bring back this great company)
------------- V2, Deja Vu... how can it be better? Add Viper! Oh, wait. It's already there!"
I think that that is what Intamin would be.
And how do you know that his son would be as talent as he is.
------------- What is life with out coasters, geniuses, and/or SFA
In no particular order: 1] Arrow - If their X project goes well, I foresee them doing very well in the future because X is only $11 million I believe, a pretty close figure to many custom inverts. And it's 200 feet high! It seems they have the're on the right track with a pretty low price. 2] Giovanola - From what I've heard they have a solid product that competes with B&M with a lower price. 'Nuff said. 3] Vekoma - It's been proven: while their coasters may not be that exciting to us enthusiasts, the GP loves them, plus they are cheap and they take up little space. 4] CCI - They have the ingenuity to keep themselves in business: great custom wooden coasters, competitive prices, and flexible techniques (aka Cornball Express, Hoosier Hurricane). 5]Intamin - Awesome, smooth coasters; great use of technology (magnetic brakes, anti-roll backs), and a large list of popular coasters.
------------- A New World. A New Technology. One Last Hope for Salvation. --Neon Genesis Evangelion
