Meisho/Arrow Partnership

At one time, was there a partnership between Arrow and Meisho? I remember reading this in the past, and when comparing some of their coasters, they are very similar. *** Edited 12/17/2005 12:20:48 AM UTC by CoasterKrazy***

Never heard of that, but it wouldn't surprise me. They had a deal with Vekoma for a long time. Theone Meisho coaster I rode (The defunt Double Loop at Fuji-Q HIghland) bore strong resemblance to an Arrow.

I thought Meisho was a vekoma thing?

Arrow was not partnered with Meisho, that I know of. They started out as Arrow Development Co. in Mountian View CA in the 50's. Karl Bacon and Dana Morgans father started the co. They put some rides in at the "new" Disneyland". Klaus HUSS bought them and moved the whole operation to Salt Lake (Clearview) called Arrow/Huss. Huss went under and Ron Toomer - their chief engineer for years, took over the co. It was taken over by an investment group and then called Arrow Rides (I think - can't remember it all) then they were taken over by another group and called Arrow Dynamics. Eventually S&S bought them out and they are now called Arrow/S&S. This whole thing is about 95% accurate, without digging my files out (and thats a pain in a). *** Edited 12/18/2005 1:27:17 PM UTC by Jim Hancock***

I wasn't sure if Meisho partnered with Arrow or Vekoma, but considering the support structure found on Thunder Coaster at Nasu Highland park (http://www.rcdb.com/ig1265.htm?picture=1) I thought my chances were better with Arrow because as far as I know, Vekoma didn't use those type of supports.

Jim, that's a wonderful history of Arrow's management, but who owned the company doesn't necessarily indicate who they had a relationship with. Remember, Arrow licensed their track and trains to Vekoma, so it's possible that they did the same thing with Meisho.

Your right - I'll go right to the horses mouth and get the facts about the licensing and partnership.

I 'll get the scoop on Vekoma and Meisho - give me a week or so to get back.

Most rides in Japan are sold through a Japanese rep. such as rep. like Meisho or Hanwa. Most have industrial production components so they produce certain parts of the ride unit depending upon the contract. I believe Vekoma, Arrow and S&S have used Meisho at different times in their histories.

Adam

Kinda like how Intamin *brokered* rides then...?

Or is this a different situation because of the Japanese gov't involvement in international business?

OK------------- here's the straight scoop. Got it quicker than expected.

First the History:

Karl Bacon & Edgar Morgan started Arrow in 1945 as Arrow Developement. First 10 years they made replacement parts for trucks during the war. Then they started making Carrousels which led them to meet Walt Disney - the rest they say is history.

Arrow was sold to Rio Grande Industries in 1973

Then sold to Klaus Huss in 81' named Arrow-Huss

Went into bankruptcy in 84'

Court awarded Arrow to group of employees in 86' named Arrow Dynamics

Finally went into bankrupcty again and sold to S&S - now S&S-Arrow

Vekoma & Meisho:
Around 74' signed agreements with Mack & Vekoma to make specific rides in Europe. Vekoma received the track design. There was NO agreement with Meisho.

And that my friends is all I know.

" Kinda like how Intamin *brokered* rides then...?"

Sort of, but not really. In the early-to-mid 70's Intamin gathered ride manufacturers (some like Huss that had no easy way to sell to the US market, others like Schwarzkopf were already in the market) together and sold that block of rides to US buyers (much like Mickey Hughes did in the 60's). Financially (and business culturally) it is difficult for a heavy industry company to sell things directly to a Japanese buyer. The companies use a Japanese trading company for a lot of things. It can be anything from simply acting as a sales rep. that got the contract signed to liscening drawings so the ride is fully produced in Japan and the US company gets a cut. It varies depending upon how the US company and thier chosen Japanese company work together.

Adam