RMA Ltd is a design and build company that specialises in themed attractions, theme parks, auditorium and 4D theatre shows, and dark rides. At its helm, managing director Nigel Knight says the company is here to deliver exciting new projects to wider audience than ever before.
Established in 1993, RMA has designed and built some of the most high-profile attractions in the UK and around the world.
The company has worked on many high profile projects In Britain, including the Jorvik Viking Centre in York.
For Jorvik, RMA has carried out a number of refurbishment projects, the most recent being a complete rebuild following catastrophic flooding in the city.
Cadbury World in Birmingham has also been a long-term client, with RMA recently carrying out the design and installation of the attraction’s 4D cinema experience.
At Drayton Manor, RMA designed and built the park’s Thomas World, creating an environment true to the iconic brand.
RMA also highlights among its signature projects two attractions at Paultons Park in Romsey – the prehistoric Lost Kingdom and the popular Peppa Pig World.
A world class approach With substantial pedigree, RMA wants to expand its ever-increasing attractions portfolio. According to Knight, the company has a lot to offer any client.
“We’ll take on anything we feel we can add significant value to,” he says. “Whether it be a smaller area of theming, an odd sound or special effect, a grand 4D auditorium show or even a dark ride with all the above.”
RMA offers total design, build and production services, meaning it’s able to provide a wide enough knowledge and skills base to get projects off the ground and open to the public.
Another string to the RMA bow is its newly-upgraded sound recording studio, where it produces all of its music soundtracks and special effects.
“Some of our more complex sound tracks can take a few months to design, record and mix,” says Knight.
“Having our own facility allows us the freedom to tweak these productions up to the day the attraction is opened to the public without the delays of waiting for commercial facilities to become available. We can also easily update a soundtrack at a later date, should the client require changes.”
A mission of quality While already offering a complete production service, RMA wants to continually expand its offering in order to give clients the very best service possible. This is set out with its aim, mission and company philosophy.
“Our aim is to continue to grow our offering, to be prepared to diversify and adopt new ways of thinking so that every new project provides an even better overall experience than the one that came before it,” says Knight.
“For our mission, we strive to design and build the best quality experiences – and to do so without compromise – so that the interpretation of the narrative is as good as we can possibly make it.
“Our philosophy is simple: ‘You’re only as good as your last project’.”
According to Knight, RMA’s unique selling point is its ability to design and build an attraction or themed area from the ground up through to handover, including productions, media content, sound and lighting systems, mechanical special effects systems, projection and video systems and animatronics.
To achieve this, the company has a set out process, which it uses to create a quality experience for each of its customers.
“During our first meeting we’ll establish a narrative and, if relevant, the focus of the message we are to portray,” he says. “Secondly, we like to establish ground rules and boundaries to the narrative that need to be strictly adhered to from day one.
“Once we’ve established these parameters, we’ll generally move on to discuss the available space, building constraints, timescales and budgets, from which we’ll begin to create and produce an initial guide proposal.
“Further to the outcome of this discussion, we’ll work-up a concept design proposal, which includes concept drawings, example elevations, an overall masterplan and a detailed cost sheet.
“Once all these items are agreed, the project commences proper and we move on to the detailed design and build phases.”
Inspired thinking When it comes to design, RMA’s staff draw inspiration from a number of places. These, according to Knight, include anything from existing attractions and cutting edge technologies on display at trade shows, to a television show or a sound heard while driving to work.
“Inspiration comes from the need to provide a solution to a previously unanswered question,” he says. “The whole point of a creative designer is to develop solutions that will be perceived as new and fresh and exciting.”
A changing industry The attractions industry is constantly changing, with new trends and events shifting what is in right now and what will the public respond to. As a leading deisgn firm, RMA is at the forefront of this, always adapting its offering to meet the expectations of the changing marketplace.
“From an RMA perspective, there seems to be a swing away from production-based attraction shows and 4D theatres and towards themed, often IP-based park areas that feature many rides heavily integrated within the theming,” says Knight.
“From a personal perspective, I think it would be fantastic if our British and European parks considered following in the footsteps of the likes of Universal Studios and Disney, whereby the parks are beautifully themed and feature as many different formats of entertainment as possible, rather than restricting the entertainment to multiple mechanical rides.”
Creative minds For RMA, the company is keen to be involved in any project, regardless of size, as long as it feels it can add something worthwhile to the complete experience.
“We’re a group of creative minds,” concludes Knight. “Any project, regardless of size or budget, will allow us the opportunity to be challenged.”
Read more from this issue of Attractions Management magazine
View contents of Attractions Management 2018 issue 3
People profile: Anton Vidal
Anton Vidal is director general of Poble Espanyol which has completed a 10-year, €10m improvement plan
Interview: Coen Bertens
Fairytale theme park Efteling has
gone from strength to strength
during its 65-year history, enchanting
more visitors last year than
ever before. We talk to COO Coen
Bertens about its success
Promotional feature: EAS - Learning curves
This year’s Euro Attractions Show promises to
be the biggest in the history of the event, with
a brand new schedule of seminars to match
Aquariums: High Waters
We visited the brand new Aquatis
Aquarium-Vivarium in Switzerland
for a journey through our planet’s
freshwater environments
Promotional feature: nWave - The big picture
With more than two decades
of experience creating high quality
original content, nWave looks
ahead as it continues to produce
its own industry-leading creations
Analysis: TEA/AECOM Theme Index 2017
The TEA/AECOM Report 2017 shows major theme park
operators had an outstanding year, while stabilised global
economies and strong investment planning bodes well
for the global attractions industry going forward
Analysis: EMEA Focus
Margreet Papamichael, founder of CLEAR Associates about what The TEA/AECOM Report 2017 means for the EMEA region
Review: MuseumNext
Intellectuals from across the
museums sector gathered recently for
the European edition of MuseumNext
Theme parks: Playing the Looney Tune
As new and exciting leisure opportunities
increase in the Middle East, Yas
Island welcomes the US$1bn Warner
Bros World Abu Dhabi. We speak to
the two key members of the team
behind the landmark project
Museums: License to Thrill
A brand new James Bond visitor attraction,
nestled snugly inside a mountain peak
in Sölden, Austria, opened this July. We
talked to the operator and architect
Nigel has worked in the leisure industry since 1986. He’s responsible for the technical design of our mechanical, optical and electronic special effects systems. He also storyboards, scripts, records and directs our productions before heading into our studio to add music and effects
Andy Sinclair-Harris Senior concept designer
Andy Sinclair-Harris
Andy has recently joined the team and brings with him a wealth of design experience and substantial knowledge base in computer-based art design. Originally trained in theatre design, Andy has spent his career working in the themed entertainment sector, the majority of that at Walt Disney Imagineering
Lee Taylor Senior production designer
Lee Taylor
Lee recently joined RMA from the commercial interior design sector. His AutoCad skills are exceptional, which allow us the fantastic ability to design all aspects of an attraction in three dimensions
RMA team
Nick Arnold - Technical manager Our principle audio-visual designer, Nick can be found creating sound, lighting and video systems
Angela Basker - Artwork designer Angela handles the design of our graphics and information panels, art boards and signage
Nik Kirby - Construction manager Nik is responsible for managing and supervising our on-site construction works
Simon Prophet - Construction manager Simon is responsible for managing and supervising our on-site construction works
Leeann Holden - Project coordinator Leeann is responsible for the coordination of all projects running at any point in time at RMA
Among its creations, RMA masterplanned the new Peppa Pig-themed area
Among its creations, RMA masterplanned the new the Lost Kingdom at Paultons Park
RMA has a newly-upgraded sound studio at its disposal
COMPANY PROFILES
QubicaAMF UK
QubicaAMF is the largest and most
innovative bowling equipment provider with
600 employees worldwi [more...]
Holovis
Holovis is a privately owned company
established in 2004 by CEO Stuart
Hetherington. [more...]
IAAPA EMEA
IAAPA Expo Europe was established in 2006 and has grown to the largest international conference and [more...]
Simworx Ltd
The company was initially established
in 1997. Terry Monkton and Andrew
Roberts are the key stakeh [more...]
RMA Ltd is a design and build company that specialises in themed attractions, theme parks, auditorium and 4D theatre shows, and dark rides. At its helm, managing director Nigel Knight says the company is here to deliver exciting new projects to wider audience than ever before.
Established in 1993, RMA has designed and built some of the most high-profile attractions in the UK and around the world.
The company has worked on many high profile projects In Britain, including the Jorvik Viking Centre in York.
For Jorvik, RMA has carried out a number of refurbishment projects, the most recent being a complete rebuild following catastrophic flooding in the city.
Cadbury World in Birmingham has also been a long-term client, with RMA recently carrying out the design and installation of the attraction’s 4D cinema experience.
At Drayton Manor, RMA designed and built the park’s Thomas World, creating an environment true to the iconic brand.
RMA also highlights among its signature projects two attractions at Paultons Park in Romsey – the prehistoric Lost Kingdom and the popular Peppa Pig World.
A world class approach With substantial pedigree, RMA wants to expand its ever-increasing attractions portfolio. According to Knight, the company has a lot to offer any client.
“We’ll take on anything we feel we can add significant value to,” he says. “Whether it be a smaller area of theming, an odd sound or special effect, a grand 4D auditorium show or even a dark ride with all the above.”
RMA offers total design, build and production services, meaning it’s able to provide a wide enough knowledge and skills base to get projects off the ground and open to the public.
Another string to the RMA bow is its newly-upgraded sound recording studio, where it produces all of its music soundtracks and special effects.
“Some of our more complex sound tracks can take a few months to design, record and mix,” says Knight.
“Having our own facility allows us the freedom to tweak these productions up to the day the attraction is opened to the public without the delays of waiting for commercial facilities to become available. We can also easily update a soundtrack at a later date, should the client require changes.”
A mission of quality While already offering a complete production service, RMA wants to continually expand its offering in order to give clients the very best service possible. This is set out with its aim, mission and company philosophy.
“Our aim is to continue to grow our offering, to be prepared to diversify and adopt new ways of thinking so that every new project provides an even better overall experience than the one that came before it,” says Knight.
“For our mission, we strive to design and build the best quality experiences – and to do so without compromise – so that the interpretation of the narrative is as good as we can possibly make it.
“Our philosophy is simple: ‘You’re only as good as your last project’.”
According to Knight, RMA’s unique selling point is its ability to design and build an attraction or themed area from the ground up through to handover, including productions, media content, sound and lighting systems, mechanical special effects systems, projection and video systems and animatronics.
To achieve this, the company has a set out process, which it uses to create a quality experience for each of its customers.
“During our first meeting we’ll establish a narrative and, if relevant, the focus of the message we are to portray,” he says. “Secondly, we like to establish ground rules and boundaries to the narrative that need to be strictly adhered to from day one.
“Once we’ve established these parameters, we’ll generally move on to discuss the available space, building constraints, timescales and budgets, from which we’ll begin to create and produce an initial guide proposal.
“Further to the outcome of this discussion, we’ll work-up a concept design proposal, which includes concept drawings, example elevations, an overall masterplan and a detailed cost sheet.
“Once all these items are agreed, the project commences proper and we move on to the detailed design and build phases.”
Inspired thinking When it comes to design, RMA’s staff draw inspiration from a number of places. These, according to Knight, include anything from existing attractions and cutting edge technologies on display at trade shows, to a television show or a sound heard while driving to work.
“Inspiration comes from the need to provide a solution to a previously unanswered question,” he says. “The whole point of a creative designer is to develop solutions that will be perceived as new and fresh and exciting.”
A changing industry The attractions industry is constantly changing, with new trends and events shifting what is in right now and what will the public respond to. As a leading deisgn firm, RMA is at the forefront of this, always adapting its offering to meet the expectations of the changing marketplace.
“From an RMA perspective, there seems to be a swing away from production-based attraction shows and 4D theatres and towards themed, often IP-based park areas that feature many rides heavily integrated within the theming,” says Knight.
“From a personal perspective, I think it would be fantastic if our British and European parks considered following in the footsteps of the likes of Universal Studios and Disney, whereby the parks are beautifully themed and feature as many different formats of entertainment as possible, rather than restricting the entertainment to multiple mechanical rides.”
Creative minds For RMA, the company is keen to be involved in any project, regardless of size, as long as it feels it can add something worthwhile to the complete experience.
“We’re a group of creative minds,” concludes Knight. “Any project, regardless of size or budget, will allow us the opportunity to be challenged.”
Read more from this issue of Attractions Management magazine
View contents of Attractions Management 2018 issue 3
People profile: Anton Vidal
Anton Vidal is director general of Poble Espanyol which has completed a 10-year, €10m improvement plan
Interview: Coen Bertens
Fairytale theme park Efteling has
gone from strength to strength
during its 65-year history, enchanting
more visitors last year than
ever before. We talk to COO Coen
Bertens about its success
Promotional feature: EAS - Learning curves
This year’s Euro Attractions Show promises to
be the biggest in the history of the event, with
a brand new schedule of seminars to match
Aquariums: High Waters
We visited the brand new Aquatis
Aquarium-Vivarium in Switzerland
for a journey through our planet’s
freshwater environments
Promotional feature: nWave - The big picture
With more than two decades
of experience creating high quality
original content, nWave looks
ahead as it continues to produce
its own industry-leading creations
Analysis: TEA/AECOM Theme Index 2017
The TEA/AECOM Report 2017 shows major theme park
operators had an outstanding year, while stabilised global
economies and strong investment planning bodes well
for the global attractions industry going forward
Analysis: EMEA Focus
Margreet Papamichael, founder of CLEAR Associates about what The TEA/AECOM Report 2017 means for the EMEA region
Review: MuseumNext
Intellectuals from across the
museums sector gathered recently for
the European edition of MuseumNext
Theme parks: Playing the Looney Tune
As new and exciting leisure opportunities
increase in the Middle East, Yas
Island welcomes the US$1bn Warner
Bros World Abu Dhabi. We speak to
the two key members of the team
behind the landmark project
Museums: License to Thrill
A brand new James Bond visitor attraction,
nestled snugly inside a mountain peak
in Sölden, Austria, opened this July. We
talked to the operator and architect
Nigel has worked in the leisure industry since 1986. He’s responsible for the technical design of our mechanical, optical and electronic special effects systems. He also storyboards, scripts, records and directs our productions before heading into our studio to add music and effects
Andy Sinclair-Harris Senior concept designer
Andy Sinclair-Harris
Andy has recently joined the team and brings with him a wealth of design experience and substantial knowledge base in computer-based art design. Originally trained in theatre design, Andy has spent his career working in the themed entertainment sector, the majority of that at Walt Disney Imagineering
Lee Taylor Senior production designer
Lee Taylor
Lee recently joined RMA from the commercial interior design sector. His AutoCad skills are exceptional, which allow us the fantastic ability to design all aspects of an attraction in three dimensions
RMA team
Nick Arnold - Technical manager Our principle audio-visual designer, Nick can be found creating sound, lighting and video systems
Angela Basker - Artwork designer Angela handles the design of our graphics and information panels, art boards and signage
Nik Kirby - Construction manager Nik is responsible for managing and supervising our on-site construction works
Simon Prophet - Construction manager Simon is responsible for managing and supervising our on-site construction works
Leeann Holden - Project coordinator Leeann is responsible for the coordination of all projects running at any point in time at RMA
Among its creations, RMA masterplanned the new Peppa Pig-themed area
Among its creations, RMA masterplanned the new the Lost Kingdom at Paultons Park
RMA has a newly-upgraded sound studio at its disposal
London Museum will open four new food and drink destinations when it launches its new home
at Smithfield on 28 November, making hospitality a central part of the visitor experience at one
of the capital's biggest cultural openings of the year.
OMA has completed a major transformation of New York's New Museum, creating a larger
cultural campus that combines expanded exhibition spaces with learning, performance,
hospitality and public programming.
A US$50 million (£44.2 million, €51.2 million) transformation of Chicago's historic McCormick
Mansion has created a new destination that combines live magic, immersive theatre, dining and
private membership under one roof.
The Montana Historical Society has officially celebrated the opening of its new Montana
Heritage
Center, a US$107 million (£79 million, €92 million) destination that combines immersive
storytelling with cutting-edge audiovisual technology to bring the sta
San Antonio Zoo has reported a US$283 million economic impact for 2025, following a decade-
long transformation programme that has seen almost US$200 million invested into the Texas
attraction.
Plans for the AU$180 million redevelopment of Reef HQ Aquarium in Townsville, Australia, are
progressing, with the project set to transform the attraction into a global centre for reef
education and conservation.
Abu Dhabi-based investment firm Mubadala Capital has made a binding, fully financed
€1 billion
offer to acquire Pierre and Vacances SA, the European holiday resort operator behind the
continental European Center Parcs business.
Disney has reaffirmed its commitment to investing US$30 billion in its US parks and cruise
business by 2033, using new America250 celebrations to underline the role its attractions play
in supporting jobs, tourism and economic growth.
Expo 2030 Riyadh is being planned as a permanent visitor destination, with organisers
confirming the six-million-square-metre site will become a Global Village after the event closes.
The owner of one of Australia's best-known waterparks has acquired a major competitor,
creating a new attractions business spanning two of the country's largest visitor destinations.
