S&S – Sansei Technologies
Industry | Manufacturing |
---|---|
Predecessor | Arrow Development Arrow HUSS Arrow Dynamics S&S Sports Inc. S&S Power |
Founded | 1994 |
Founder | Stan Checketts |
Headquarters | , United States |
Area served | Worldwide |
Products | Amusement rides, roller coasters |
Parent | Sansei Technologies |
Website | s-s |
S&S – Sansei Technologies, formerly S&S Worldwide, is an American company known for its pneumatically powered amusement rides and roller coaster designing.
History
S&S – Sansei Technologies was founded by Stan Checketts with his wife Sandy (Stan & Sandy) as S&S Sports, Inc. S&S Sports manufactured bungee jumping and trampoline equipment. In 1994, S&S began manufacturing air-powered amusement rides which is now the main stay of the company.[1] S&S Sports was sold in 1996. Sansei Technologies is based in Logan, Utah.
In 2002, S&S began looking for opportunities to expand their business, citing acquisitions as the best method to do so.[2] Following the bankruptcy filing of wooden roller coaster manufacturer Custom Coasters International (CCI), S&S hired founder Denise Dinn-Larrick and several other former CCI employees to start a new wooden coaster division for the company.[2] In October 2002, S&S founded S&S Arrow, a limited liability company which purchased the assets of the bankrupt Arrow Dynamics.[3] However, the only Arrow Dynamics coaster design S&S continues to offer is the 4th dimension coaster.
In 2004, after four wooden roller coasters were built, S&S closed that division of the company.[4]
In 2006, S&S Power opened Celebration Centre, a Family Entertainment Center featuring a number of S&S rides and prototypes. The facility was later sold and is currently no longer operating.[5]
On August 25, 2006 S&S Power, Inc. announced that Stan Checketts and Gene Mulvihill, both original founding partners of S&S, had formed a group to purchase a controlling interest of S & S. The negotiations took several months. CEO Checketts was to direct the company based on the same principles upon which it was founded; "...to provide the amusement industry with thrilling, high-quality rides the entire family can enjoy." Checketts also announced that the business operations of S&S would remain under the direction of Rich Allen, who would continue in his role as Chief Operating Officer.
In February 2009, Larsen MacColl Partners acquired a significant equity interest in S&S, including all shares previously owned by Checketts. The Koffman family and affiliated shareholders were to maintain their ownership interest. Checketts ended his consulting relationship with the company in order to pursue other business interests.[6] As of December 2013, those interests included Soaring Eagle Zipline Inc., of Logan Utah.
In November 2012, S&S Worldwide Inc., entered into a binding agreement with Sansei Technologies Co., Ltd., of Osaka, Japan, whereby Sansei acquired 77.3% interest in S&S.[7][8] Signage at the 2012 and 2013 IAAPA Attractions Expos promoted the new company as S&S – Sansei Technologies.
On March 30, 2018, it was announced that Sansei Technologies had acquired amusement ride manufacturer Vekoma.
Types of amusement rides
Roller coasters
Model | First produced | Description |
---|---|---|
4-D Free Spin | 2015 | Variation of a wing coaster in which seats are able to rotate along the pitch axis at 360 degrees. The track does not veer off or bank in any way, as opposed to S&S' other 4th Dimension model.[9] |
4th Dimension | 2006 | Variation of a wing coaster in which seats are able to rotate along the pitch axis at 360 degrees. The track is laid out like a traditional sit-down roller coaster with additional rails to control seat rotation.[10] |
Axis Coaster[11] | 2019 (Prototype) | Steel roller coaster utilising unique trains which rotate freely (although regulated by magnets) through a layout with multiple inversions. This coaster model currently only exists at S&S' testing facility in Utah. |
El Loco | 2008 | Slower-paced roller coaster containing a beyond-vertical drop and thin rails.[12] |
Free Fly | 2009 | Inverted roller coaster with track inversions that are made obsolete due to a revolving carriage.[13] |
Family Inverted Coaster | 2018 | An inverted roller coaster with seating below the rails. |
Wooden Coaster | 2003 (discontinued) | Standard wooden roller coaster with several variations in track layout.[14] |
Screaming Squirrel | 2005 (discontinued) | Variation of the wild mouse roller coaster where there is no defined primary drop, consisting of several "hairpins" and saxophone inversions.[15] |
Air-Launched Coaster | 2001 | Name given to a variety of roller coasters utilizing compressed air launch systems. |
Steeplechase | 2017 | A family roller coaster with various vehicle theme options; revival of an Arrow coaster of the same name. |
Looping Coaster | 2019 | A sit down coaster with multiple inversions. |
Towers
- Space Shot[16]
- Turbo Drop[16]
- Double Shot[17]
- Combo Tower Ride[16]
- Rotating Tower[16]
- Spin Shot[16]
- Sky Sling[18] No longer available
- Choose Your Thrill Tower (1 Tower Is Small, Another Is Medium Sized, And Last Tower Is The Tallest)
- Sonic Boom (Prototype)
Flat rides
- Sky Swat[19] No longer available
- Screamin' Swing[20]
- Frog Hopper[21]
- Jungle Swing[22]
- Monkey Madness[23]
List of roller coasters
As of 2019, S&S – Sansei Technologies has built 39 roller coasters around the world.[24]
Name | Model | Park | Country | Opened | Status | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Powder Keg: A Blast into the Wilderness Formerly BuzzSaw Falls |
Air-Launched Coaster | Silver Dollar City | United States | 2005 | Operating | [25] |
Hypersonic XLC | Air-Launched Coaster | Kings Dominion | United States | 2001 | Removed | [26] |
Do-Dodonpa Formerly Dodonpa |
Air-Launched Coaster | Fuji-Q Highland | Japan | 2001 | Operating | [27] |
Timberhawk: Ride of Prey | Wooden Coaster | Wild Waves Theme & Water Park | United States | 2003 | Operating | [28] |
Falken | Wooden Coaster | Fårup Sommerland | Denmark | 2004 | Operating | [29] |
Avalanche | Wooden Coaster | Timber Falls Adventure Park | United States | 2004 | Removed | [30] |
Hell Cat Formerly J2 Formerly Tsunami |
Wooden Coaster | Clementon Park | United States | 2004 | Closed | [31] |
Sequoia Magic Loop Formerly Sequoia Adventure |
Screaming Squirrel | Gardaland | Italy | 2005 | Operating | [32] |
Man-O-War Formerly Screamin Squirrel |
Screaming Squirrel | Mysterious Island | China | 2006 | Operating | [33] |
Eejanaika | 4th Dimension | Fuji-Q Highland | Japan | 2006 | Operating | [34] |
Afterburner | Screaming Squirrel | Wonder Island | Russia | 2007 | Removed | [35] |
Steel Hawg | El Loco | Indiana Beach | United States | 2008 | Operating | [36] |
Tranan | Free Fly | Skara Sommarland | Sweden | 2009 | Operating | [37] |
Mumbo Jumbo | El Loco | Flamingo Land | United Kingdom | 2009 | Operating | [38] |
Extreme Rusher | Air-Launched Coaster | Happy Valley Beijing | China | 2011 | Operating | [39] |
Timber Drop | El Loco | Fraispertuis City | France | 2011 | Operating | [40] |
Green Lantern Coaster | El Loco | Warner Bros. Movie World | Australia | 2011 | Operating | [41] |
Dinoconda | 4th Dimension | China Dinosaurs Park | China | 2012 | Operating | [42] |
Bullet Coaster | Air-Launched Coaster | Happy Valley Shenzhen | China | 2012 | Operating | [43] |
Eldorado | Family Coaster | Etnaland | Italy | 2013 | Operating | [44] |
ring°racer | Air-Launched Coaster | Nürburgring | Germany | 2013 | Closed | [45] |
Crazy Bird | El Loco | Happy Valley Tianjin | China | 2013 | Operating | [46] |
El Loco | El Loco | Adventuredome | United States | 2014 | Operating | [47] |
OCT Thrust SSC1000 | Air-Launched Coaster | Happy Valley Wuhan | China | 2014 | Operating | [48] |
Batman: The Ride | 4D Free Spin | Six Flags Fiesta Texas | United States | 2015 | Operating | [49] |
The Joker | 4D Free Spin | Six Flags Great Adventure | United States | 2016 | Operating | [50] |
The Joker | 4D Free Spin | Six Flags Great America | United States | 2017 | Operating | [51] |
The Joker | 4D Free Spin | Six Flags New England | United States | 2017 | Operating | [52] |
The Joker | 4D Free Spin | Six Flags Over Texas | United States | 2017 | Operating | [53] |
Arashi | 4D Free Spin | Nagashima Spa Land | Japan | 2017 | Operating | [54] |
GaleForce | Launch Coaster | Playland's Castaway Cove | United States | 2017 | Operating | [55] |
Merlin's Mayhem | Family Inverted Coaster | Dutch Wonderland | United States | 2018 | Operating | [56] |
Wonder Woman Coaster | 4D Free Spin | Six Flags Mexico | Mexico | 2018 | Operating | [57] |
Launch Coaster | Air-Launched Coaster | Sun Tzu Cultural Park | China | 2020 | Operating | [58] |
Steel Curtain | Looping Coaster | Kennywood | United States | 2019 | Operating | [59] |
Maxx Force | Air-Launched Coaster | Six Flags Great America | United States | 2019 | Operating | [60] |
Batman: The Ride | 4D Free Spin | Six Flags Discovery Kingdom | United States | 2019 | Operating | [61] |
Unknown | Air-Launched Coaster | Window of the World | China | 2021 | Under construction | [62] |
Unknown | 4D Free Spin | World Fairytale Land | China | 2021 | Under construction | [63] |
Dragon Slayer | 4D Free Spin | Adventureland (Iowa) | United States | 2021 | Under construction | [64] |
unknown | 4D Free Spin | Kings Dominion | United States | 2022 | Under construction | [65] |
List of other attractions
Name | Model | Park | Country | Opened | Status | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Space Shot | Space Shot | Action Park | United States | 1996 | Removed | |
Barnstormer | Screamin' Swing | Dollywood | United States | 2011 | Operating | |
Hershey Triple Tower | Double Shot/Combo tower/Choose your thrill tower | Hersheypark | United States | 2017 | Operating | [66] |
Giant Barn Swing | Screamin' Swing | Silver Dollar City | United States | 2007 | Operating | |
Uppswinget | Screamin' Swing | Liseberg | Sweden | 2007 | Operating | [67] |
Rush | Screamin' Swing | Thorpe Park | United Kingdom | 2005 | Operating | [68] |
Skyhawk | Screamin' Swing | Cedar Point | United States | 2006 | Operating | |
Thunder and Lightning | Screamin' Swing | Lake Compounce | United States | 2006 | Operating | |
Xtreme Swing | Screamin' Swing | Valleyfair | United States | 2006 | Operating | |
Giant Canyon Swing | Screamin' Swing | Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park | United States | 2010 | Operating | |
Finnegan's Flyer | Screamin' Swing | Busch Gardens Williamsburg | United States | 2019 | Operating | |
Batwing Spaceshot | Space Shot | Warner Bros. Movie World | Australia | 2006 | Operating | [69] |
Big Shot | Space Shot | Stratosphere Las Vegas | United States | 1996 | Operating | [70] |
Detonator | Space Shot | Worlds of Fun | United States | 1996 | Operating | [71] |
Doctor Doom's Fearfall | Space Shot | Islands of Adventure | United States | 1999 | Operating | [72] |
The Volcano | Space Shot | Fantasy Island | United Kingdom | 1998 | Operating | |
Ice Blast: The Ride | Space Shot | Blackpool Pleasure Beach | United Kingdom | 1997 | Operating | [73] |
Maliboomer | Space Shot | Disney California Adventure Park | United States | 2001 | Removed | [74] |
Raketti | Space Shot | Linnanmäki | Finland | 1999 | Operating | |
Moon Shot | Space Shot | U.S. Space & Rocket Center | United States | Unknown | Operating | |
Space Shot | Space Shot | Walibi Holland | Netherlands | 1998 | Operating | |
Columbia & Discovery | Multi-tower Ride | Mirabilandia | Italy | 1997 | Operating | |
Dominator | Multi-tower Ride | Dorney Park | United States | 1999 | Operating | |
Power Tower | Multi-tower Ride | Cedar Point | United States | 1998 | Operating | |
Power Tower | Multi-tower Ride | Valleyfair | United States | 2000 | Operating | |
Sasquatch | Multi-tower Ride | Great Escape | United States | 2009 | Operating | |
The Rocket | Multi-tower Ride | Lagoon | United States | 1999 | Operating | |
Hellevator | Combo Tower Ride | Playland | Canada | 2000 | Operating | |
Scream! | Combo Tower Ride | Six Flags Fiesta Texas | United States | 1999 | Operating | |
Superman: Tower of Power | Combo Tower Ride | Six Flags Over Texas | United States | 2003 | Operating | |
Scream! | Turbo Drop | Six Flags New England | United States | 1998 | Operating | [75] |
Kilauea | Combo Tower Ride | Six Flags México | México | 2000 | Operating | |
Down Time | Turbo Drop | Lake Compounce | United States | 2004 | Operating | |
Supreme Scream | Turbo Drop | Knott's Berry Farm | United States | 1998 | Operating | [76] |
Catapult Formerly SWAT |
Sky Swat | Six Flags New England Six Flags AstroWorld |
United States | 2006 2003 to 2005 |
Removed | [77] |
Slammer | Sky Swat | Thorpe Park | United Kingdom | 2005 | Removed | [19] |
VertiGo | Sky Sling | Cedar Point | United States | 2001 | Removed | |
VertiGo | Sky Sling | Knott's Berry Farm | United States | 2001 | Removed |
References
- ^ "Company". S&S Worldwide. Archived from the original on August 7, 2011. Retrieved July 4, 2011.
- ^ a b O'Brien, Tim (August 12, 2002). "S&S moves to snap up defunct rivals". Amusement Business. 114 (32): 1, 9.
- ^ O'Brien, Tim (November 4, 2002). "S&S affiliate catches Arrow". Amusement Business. 114 (44): 8.
- ^ Seifert, Jeffrey (2012). "The Custom Coasters Revolution". RollerCoaster! Magazine. 33 (4). Zanesville, Ohio: American Coaster Enthusiasts: 21–31. ISSN 0896-7261.
- ^ Logan Celebration Centre – Home
- ^ "Stan Checketts Out as S&S Worldwide Inc. Announces Ownership Change". ACE News Now. American Coaster Enthusiasts. September 30, 2007. Retrieved January 9, 2014.
- ^ "S&S Worldwide, Sansei Yusoki Co. join forces". Amusement Today. November 19, 2012. Retrieved November 20, 2012.
- ^ "SANSEI YUSOKI CO LTD to Acquire S&S Worldwide, Inc". Reuters News. November 5, 2012. Retrieved November 20, 2012.
- ^ "4th Dimension". S&S Worldwide. Archived from the original on July 18, 2011. Retrieved July 4, 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "4th Dimension (Logan, Utah)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved June 12, 2015.
- ^ "Axis Coaster". SandS. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
- ^ "El Loco". S&S Worldwide. Retrieved July 4, 2011.
- ^ "Free Fly". S&S Worldwide. Retrieved July 4, 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Roller Coaster Search Results (S&S Wooden Roller Coasters)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved July 4, 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Screaming Squirrel (Logan, Utah)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved June 12, 2015.
- ^ a b c d e "Tower Rides". S&S Worldwide. Retrieved July 4, 2011.
- ^ "Double Shot". S&S Worldwide. Archived from the original on August 7, 2011. Retrieved July 4, 2011.
- ^ Moon, Jacob (September 30, 2002). "Cache native breaks a speed record". The Utah Statesman. Retrieved July 4, 2011.
- ^ a b "Slammer (Thorpe Park)". Parkz. Retrieved July 4, 2011.
- ^ "Screamin' Swing". S&S Worldwide. Archived from the original on July 18, 2011. Retrieved July 4, 2011.
- ^ "Frog Hopper". S&S Worldwide. Archived from the original on July 18, 2011. Retrieved July 4, 2011.
- ^ "Jungle Swing". S&S Worldwide. Retrieved July 4, 2011.
- ^ "Monkey Madness". S&S Worldwide. Retrieved July 4, 2011.
- ^ S&S – Sansei Technologies – rcdb.com
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Powder Keg: A Blast in the Wilderness (Silver Dollar City)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved July 4, 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Hypersonic XLC (Kings Dominion)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved July 4, 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Do-Dodonpa (Fuji-Q Highland)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved July 4, 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Timberhawk: Ride of Prey (Wild Waves Theme & Water Park)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved July 4, 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Falken (Fårup Sommerland)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved July 4, 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Avalanche (Timber Falls Adventure Park)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved November 27, 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Hell Cat (Clementon Park)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved July 4, 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Sequoia Magic Loop (Gardaland)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved July 4, 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Man-O-War (Mysterious Island)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved July 4, 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Eejanaika (Fuji-Q Highland)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved July 4, 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Afterburner (Wonder Island)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved July 4, 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Steel Hawg (Indiana Beach)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved July 4, 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Tranan (Skara Sommarland)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved January 12, 2013.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Mumbo Jumbo (Flamingo Land)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved July 4, 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Extreme Rusher (Happy Valley Beijing)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved July 4, 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Timber Drop (Fraispertuis City)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved October 30, 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Green Lantern Coaster (Warner Bros. Movie World)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved October 30, 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Dinoconda (China Dinosaurs Park)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved October 30, 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Bullet Coaster (Happy Valley Shenzhen)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved July 4, 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Eldorado (Etnaland)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved July 4, 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "ring°racer (Nürburgring)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved January 9, 2014.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Crazy Bird (Happy Valley Tianjin)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved January 9, 2014.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "El Loco (Adventuredome)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved January 9, 2014.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "OCT Thrust SSC1000 (Happy Valley Wuhan)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved July 4, 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Batman: The Ride (Six Flags Fiesta Texas)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved July 4, 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "The Joker (Six Flags Great Adventue)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved July 4, 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "The Joker (Six Flags Great America)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved July 4, 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "The Joker (Six Flags New England)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved July 4, 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "The Joker (Six Flags Over Texas)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved July 4, 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Arashi (Nagashima Spa Land)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved July 4, 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "GaleForce (Playland's Castaway Cove)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved July 4, 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Merlin's Mayhem (Dutch Wonderland)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved July 4, 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Wonder Woman Coaster (Six Flags México)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved June 12, 2012.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Launch Coaster (Sun Tzu Cultural Park)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved July 4, 2011.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Steel Curtain (Kennywood)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved June 12, 2012.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Maxx Force (Six Flags Great America)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved June 12, 2012.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Batman The Ride (Six Flags Discovery Kingdom)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved June 12, 2012.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Unknown (Window of the World)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved June 12, 2012.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Unknown (World Fairytale Land)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved June 12, 2012.
- ^ "Adventureland Reveals Sneak Peek of 4D Free Spin 'Dragon Slayer' Roller Coaster | News Break". News Break Altoona, IA. Retrieved July 16, 2020.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Unknown (Kings Dominion)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
- ^ "Hershey Triple Tower™ | Hersheypark Rides". hersheypark.com. Retrieved September 29, 2017.
- ^ "Uppswinget | flat ride at Liseberg". Parkz. Retrieved July 22, 2018.
- ^ "Rush (Thorpe Park)". Parkz. Retrieved July 4, 2011.
- ^ "Batwing Spaceshot (Warner Bros. Movie World)". Parkz. Retrieved July 4, 2011.
- ^ "Big Shot (Stratosphere)". Parkz. Retrieved July 4, 2011.
- ^ "Detonator (Thorpe Park)". Parkz. Retrieved July 4, 2011.
- ^ "Doctor Dooms Fearfall (Islands of Adventure)". Parkz. Retrieved July 4, 2011.
- ^ "Ice Blast (Blackpool Pleasure Beach)". Parkz. Retrieved July 4, 2011.
- ^ "Maliboomer (Disney California Adventure Park)". Parkz. Retrieved July 4, 2011.
- ^ "Scream (Six Flags New England)". Parkz. Retrieved July 4, 2011.
- ^ "Supreme Scream (Knotts Berry Farm)". Parkz. Retrieved July 4, 2011.
- ^ "Catapult to be removed from Six Flags New England". Blog. March 5, 2013. Retrieved March 11, 2013.
External links
- Official website
- Media related to S&S Worldwide at Wikimedia Commons