Other Info: The Fabbri Group came about because of a man called Romolo Fabbri, who after WW2 created an attraction using surplus war material. His brother took the attraction, "Telecombat", around the Italian fairs, and by the 70's, Romolo had broadened his horizons and took his rides to Europe. Other companies began to join Mr. Fabbri, and this is became the Fabbri Group.

Fabbri make thrill rides - not roller coasters. Although their relaibility and build quality is often questionable, when they get it right (Detonator), Fabbri rides are up there with the best.

Rides at Thorpe Park: Colossus, Ribena Rumba Rapids, Stealth

Other Info: Intamin really come out ahead of the competition. They are in the manufacturing space for not only coasters and water rides, but for a wide range of thrill rides too. Because of this large protfolio, Intamin are split into Intamin AG (coasters) and Intamin Ride Trade (flat rides). Intamin have broken many records with their innovative rides, including creating the fastest coaster and the coaster with the most inversions. The former is Formula Rossa at Ferrari World, Abu Dhabi, which reaches speeds of 150mph, and Stealth is a similar ride type. The latter is Thorpe Park's very own Colossus.

Intamin also created the very first River Rapids Ride - Ribena Rumba Rapids is one of them. Be sure to watch Intamin over the coming years - they are one the most exciting manufacturers of our time!

Other Info: Mack have a long history. The company was founded by Paul Mack in 1780, who manufactured horse wagons and carriages. It wasn't until 140 years later that Mack started to develop amusement rides. Mack have a diverse portfolio, and today manufacture coasters, water rides and thrill rides.

In 1975, Franz Mack opened Europa Park in Germany as a showcase for Mack's rides. Europa Park is today one of the most admired Theme Parks in Europe, and partly exists just to showcase what Mack rides are capable of. Most recently, Mack unveiled their version of the launched coaster at Europa Park, Blue Fire. It's a tremendous ride, and Europa Park is well worth a visit!

Other Info: Mondial was founded in 1987, and quickly established itself as a quality manufacturer of rides for Fairs and Amusement Parks. It's success was accelerated when the Mondial Giant Wheel was produced, and from there many well known flat rides came about, such as the Sky Flyer, Shake, Roll Over, Swinger, Revolution and Top Scan (Samurai).

Mondial rides are more likely to be found in travelling fairs and carnivals over Theme Parks, as most of them are transportable - including Samurai. They carry an impressive reputation in the industry, and their rides are more often than not worth queueing for.

Other Info: "The world's leading manufacturer of vertical amusement rides". Fronted by Stan Checketts, an incredibly enthusiastic adrenaline-junkie, S&S Power made it's debut in the amusement industry in 1989 and has grown ever since. In fact, S&S is now almost considered on a par with B&M, Intamin and Vekoma because of their innovative ride ideas and great reputation. Always looking to push the boundaries (Slammer and Rush are both great examples of this), S&S build unqiue flat thrill rides and coasters, including the first 4D coaster.

S&S's position was consolidated in 2003, when the company bought out Arrow Dynamics, who were forced into bankruptcy. Arrow made many of today's great coasters and rides. S&S look set to continue this trend.

Other Info: Vekoma was founded in 1926 by Hendrik Op het Veld in Vlodrop as "King of the Fields". He manufactured farming tools, and in 1948 the company name was changed to "First Dutch Steel Plough and Pumps Factory". The farming industry diminished, and so they turned their attentions to mining in the 1950s, with the name "Machinefabriek Vekoma". In 1961, Vekoma went into the petrochemical industry - and was particularly strong at building industrial heaters.

In yet another change of direction in 1967, Vekoma went into the amusement industry, first manufacturing a Giant Wheel. By 1983, Vekoma had moved into roller coaster manufacture, and from here the company's reputation grew. Vekoma today do everything; coasters, water rides, people movement and thrill rides. Even now, it is still a family run business. Vekoma rides have a reputation for being more rough than others (X:\ No Way Out is a case in point), but you can't argue with the sheer number of rides the company has installed in its history.