Can Arrow survive? - CoasterBuzz

I think ARROW has build A LOT more of their Wild Mouses than people realize recently. And not just in the states. ARROW is doing a TON and I mean a TON of business outside the states right now...and not just on roller coasters. They (other countries) pay almost twice as much for the same product ARROW could build here. Just because we haven't seen much from them here (aka: X/Tornado), doesn't mean they are struggling. Parks (Big and Small) are popping up and expanding over accross the ocean so much that it makes the "coaster wars" over here look like nothing.

"The Future of Roller Coasters"
-RollerCoasterGod

Just because we haven't seen much from them here (aka: X/Tornado), doesn't mean they are struggling. Parks (Big and Small) are popping up and expanding over accross the ocean so much that it makes the "coaster wars" over here look like nothing.

Have you not heard? Arrow is bankrupt, millions in debt, and looking to be sold.

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- Peabody

quote: "ARROW is doing a TON and I mean a TON of business outside the states right now"

exactly what business?! i havent heard of any arrow project this year, in or out of the US!

*** This post was edited by laurence on 6/4/2002. ***

A ton of business. Wow, that must be a small coaster if it only weighs a ton.

*** This post was edited by Incidentalist on 6/4/2002. ***

Arrow is'nt doing squat! They are waiting until the 13th to see who's going to own them. my guess is its going to be a bidding war between 6 flags and Stan checkets. Arrow has ripped all their cranes out and the steel is stacked in the front parking lot. Also lifetime products is occuping half of their building (h12) and is soon slated to move into the other half.

*** This post was edited by coasterdummie on 6/4/2002. ***

I'm not saying I don't believe you Dummie, but do you live next to the plant? Is this heresay? Do you have photos or any proof or was this in a magazine? I need to see or read something that is that vivid, I guess, sorry. Please, feel free to let me know.

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There's nothing like a woodie...

I work about a mile away, Also I was employed there for 10 years up until last november

He's right.. pretty much everything is gone. They have sold almost all of their assets. They do have their intellectual property that is currently up for sale. Premier seems to be showing the most interest at this point. I think there are less than 5 employees left. Too bad they overextended themselves. But remember, Gary Story and SF had ALOT to do with their demise. It's not all Arrow's fault!

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WCUSA-The World's largest theme park is coming!
Theme parks will NEVER be the same!

This is a sad way for such a groundbreaking company to go; piece by piece :( . I hope the 4D patent gets sold to a good followup company.

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Chris Godsey said:

But remember, Gary Story and SF had ALOT to do with their demise. It's not all Arrow's fault!
Why do you say that? I would assume that Arrow and SF signed a contract saying they would deliver a working ride for X million. If Arrow went over budget it is SF's fault?
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- Peabody

What if Six Flags were to buy out one of the two? I mean with all the little parks Six Flags has been scooping up... You heard it here first if it ever happens, but I don't think It will.

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Planned parks: Astroland, Knoebel's, Hersheypark, SFNE, SFGadv,SFGam,CP,PKI,PKD,PCW,HW,Indiana Beach,SFWOA,SFKK,SFDL,SFSTL,Lakemont,DelGrosso's... Need I say more?

Intamin or B&M would be the best company's to continue with the 4-D design IMO. Too bad they aren't looking to purchase Arrow.

BTW-I think that guy is just trying to piss you guys off.

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"Tea & Cake Or Death?-Eddie Izzard"~My No Limits Designs...http://coastergames.net/author.php?author=BKF%20Master

*** This post was edited by B&M-TYCOON on 6/4/2002. ***

I personally don't think ARROW neads to go into Chapter 11...it's tough to say without seeing all the "X" papers. They do a lot of off shore business still. Problem being is they aren't being A)managed right or B) they haven't done enough true engineering tests. Hard to say. They have sold stuff...they just aren't making a profit. Most people think it's because their ride(s) suck. Which in part is true. The only way I see them coming out of a bad time is sticking to what they know works...and improve on those.

Personally I think the only thing wrong with MOST ARROW coasters is the transitions. The main elements are fine. But is the change in directions (lateral mostly) that get people.
IE: Steel Phantom and Shockwave.
Both have great drops...but than comes the pullout. SP has a nice straightaway, than up. Shockwave has this violent pull out than loop. Or ARROWS "boomerang loops" ARROW has this thing with they think they should make the train do this "fake left" before going right into their duel loops. Why? I don't know, but most do that. Most of their rides actually track smoothly when going up and down and straight. But start twisting them and look out. I'm sure we'll see them pull out of this in the long run one way or another. And I'm sure we will see another ARROW coaster (hopefully one that works) soon :)If someone does buy them out, I'm sure the buyer will realize...like most companies to stick with what works for a while than build from there.

"The Future of Roller Coasters"
-RollerCoasterGod
http://OhioThemeParks.com

But what is this mysterious overseas buisness you speak of. Arrow has built NOTHING overseas for years. Many industry mags print lists of every coaster being built around the world sorted by manufacturer. Last year Arrow built Psycho Mouse and X, this year nothing. Vekoma is doing lots of overseas buisness, but not Arrow. There is no overseas buisness with rollercoasters for them.

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- Peabody

ARROW does more than just build Roller Coasters. They do other rides. They do more than just rides also...like most business do. They almost always have. Roller Coasters actually became a second project to them when they starting designing them. Then they became 1/2 and 1/2. Than they made quite a few. Then they went back to 1/2 and 1/2 and so on.

"The Future of Roller Coasters"
-RollerCoasterGod
http://OhioThemeParks.com

From talking to my Arrow salesman(who I dont think is there anymore), he told me to "story" about when Gary came into the Arrow office almost 2 years ago and asked for the most thrilling innovation in development. Alan Schilke pulled out his designs and Gary said.. "that's what I want.. get on it.. we want it for 2001!" At that time, Arrow hadn't finished the initial R&D on it and was pushed to deliver the 4d before it was realistically ready. They rushed through the engineering process and the ongoing train problems are the result. SF is very rigid when it comes to their ride contracts. They have a few clauses that protect them from paying design overruns and deadline overages. Gary did the EXACT same thing with the Vekoma GIB design.. he pushed them into rushing the ride and we all know what kind of problems that thing has....

Also, all of the future Arrow clients backed out of their contracts when Arrow went up for sale. They have sold absolutely NO amusement attractions for 2003. Arrow did have an ArrowBATic and a Virginia Reel sold to a park in Asia, but they too backed out at the last minute.

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WCUSA-The World's largest theme park is coming!
Theme parks will NEVER be the same!

*** This post was edited by Chris Godsey on 6/4/2002. ***

B&M-TYCOON said:

Intamin or B&M would be the best company's to continue with the 4-D design IMO. Too bad they aren't looking to purchase Arrow.

why? simply because you like b&m coasters and intamin coasters?

just because you have enjoyed a few coasters that a company has produced doesn't mean that that company should gain the intellectual copyright to the 4D design. who knows.... those companies you listed may not have the adequate manpower or resources to recreate a product that is comparible to arrow's 4D.

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seek first to understand
then to be understood

Cool, thanks for the information, C-Dummie. I just never know who I'm talking to without hitting the info button on the forums. Thanks again.....just trying to edumicate myself.

And B&M-Tycoon.....were you speaking of lil' ol' me? ; )

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There's nothing like a woodie...

*** This post was edited by Woody on 6/5/2002. ***

Chris, you are totally right, Arrow has nothing, no contracts just a dwindling spare parts business. I was there when Gary Storey came through, hell I even rode the prototype in the shop with him. the fact is Arrow is going to be sold/liquidated on the 13th probably just for the drawings and spare parts business which amounts to about 5 million a year in sales maybe less since a lot of parks are not buying their spares from arrow anymore.

I think Six Flags should buy Arrow and create an in house coaster desin company. Psyclone in MM was made in house, it runs decently.

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Texas Coasters... wow I'm lucky... IM me if you feel like talking about coasters.