Kissel keeps equipment in top-notch condition at Alabama facility
AT: Ron Gustafson
Special to Amusement Today
CLANTON, Ala. — Safety is the top priority in the amusement industry, and properly maintaining rides and attractions is paramount to meeting that objective.
“We are really proud of what we have created here,” noted Nicholas Seibert, chief operations officer at Kissel Entertainment, while he discussed the carnival's extensive maintenance facility in Alabama.
“We think we can serve as a great example of what a mobile entertainment company can build from the ground up to ensure their equipment is properly maintained and updated,” he added.
Kissel Entertainment purchased the 15-acre property in 2006 and has expanded the facility to meet the needs of the company, which fields more than 50 rides plus dozens of food and game concessions during its season.
“It was an extremely strategic decision,” R.A. Kissel, chief innovations officer, said of the Alabama acquisition. Kissel Entertainment, based in Okeana, Ohio, also has a Northern refurbishment facility.
But the Alabama property is where Kissel Entertainment digs in its heels during the offseason to keep its arsenal of gear in top-notch condition.
“The location is climate-friendly, allowing us to store and repair our equipment during the winter without it being unbearably cold,” Kissel said. “We do not have to worry about salt air damaging equipment if we were to go further south. It is also a centralized location for our route. For the majority of our season, we are able to easily access equipment, tools or the facility from where we are producing events.”
Transformation
According to Kissel, the property was a vehicle transmission shop when the family-owned carnival purchased it.
“It has rapidly transformed into what it is today,” he added. “We have extended the footprint to nearby or adjacent properties, which adds 11 acres. We have a main office that houses 10 full-time employees, plus an upstairs for meetings and training. The original shop, which extended from the office, was 5,600 square feet. From that, we have added six buildings, which added 112,250 square feet to the total portfolio.”
The main shop building, with a 45-foot ceiling, allows the company to bring in large equipment, where it can get a simple freshening or total rebuild. Inside areas are dedicated to metal fabrication, electrical and lighting, body and fiberglass work, vehicle maintenance, tool management and industrial coating.
“This facility reflects our investment in our core values as a company,” Seibert asserted. “Safety is the most important. Our equipment is properly stored, cared for, checked and updated to ensure it functions properly.”
Set Agenda
The busy offseason starts with mandatory yearly inspections of all of the attractions operated by the company.
“From there, our team of experts determines what refurbishments will be the high priority,” Seibert said of the process. “Once we complete all of the necessary updates, we are able to spend the remainder of the winter pursuing creative updates. It is a massive undertaking and the job is never finished, but we are passionate about maintaining the equipment we have invested in.”
Kissel's maintenance facility is used at any given time throughout the year, not only to make necessary repairs, but also to store equipment not in use.
“Our entire arsenal can be safely stored here at one time, including our vehicles, rides, housing trailers, games, food and amenities,” Seibert pointed out. “We can erect an entire roller coaster or Astro Wheel on the property, drive semi-trailers into the facility and set up and operate rides as tall as the Pharaoh's Fury (swinging ship) indoors.”
Keeping the classics going
While Kissel Entertainment fields some of the newest attractions in the industry, the company maintains a number of classic rides as well. Among the classics are a pair of rare Astro Wheels and a Rotor (Chance Rides), Rock-O-Plane (Eyerly Aircraft) and Scat (Venture).
“Our classic rides come from a time when equipment was built to stand the test of time,” Kissel said. “They are a testament to quality craftsmanship, engineering and American innovation. We see it as our duty to continue to care for these rides so they can continue making memories for generations of families.”
The company uses a number of qualified suppliers to keep those iconic rides turning, including Showmen Supplies, La Porte, Indiana.
“They are a year-round partner for sourcing hard-to-find parts and a business we have trusted for years,” Kissel explained.
Proper maintenance also requires skilled personnel to accomplish the job.
“Our employees are specialized in a number of skills that ensure we give our equipment the holistic attention it deserves. We employ welders, painters, electricians, CDL drivers and experts in highly-specific equipment,” Seibert emphasized.
Newer technology
Many of the newer rides have incorporated the latest technology, including touchscreen operator panels and variable frequency drives. With those components come a set of unique maintenance challenges.
“We have great relationships with the manufacturers of those rides that have pulled us into this process early on,” Seibert said of the evolving technology. “This has been crucial in ensuring we know the equipment we are purchasing from start to finish.
“We regularly travel to their facilities when we order rides. I was just at Reverchon in France this winter and we have traveled to Turkey to visit manufacturers, to Italy to visit Gosetto and to the Netherlands to see KMG.”
Setting the record straight
When Amusement Today asked if there are public misconceptions regarding mobile ride safety, Seibert offered the following: “Yes, it is absolutely a misconception. Safety is not only critical, it is also constant. We do daily inspections at every level, from the firsthand operator to the supervisor to external safety inspectors. Our inspection program is extremely intense.”
He added that the Kissel maintenance facility is a “crucial component to our safety inspections, because it gives us the space and opportunity to ensure every element — no matter how small — is being properly cared for and maintained.”
