KMG (company)
Dutch company manufacturing amusement rides
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
KMG, also known as KMG Rides, is a Dutch manufacturer of amusement rides based in Neede, Gelderland, the Netherlands. The company develops, engineers, constructs and services amusement rides for travelling fairs and amusement parks worldwide.[1]
| Type | Manufacturers - Amusement Rides |
|---|---|
| Industry | Manufacturing |
| Founded | 1989 |
| Founder | Isje Kroon |
| Headquarters | , |
Area served | Worldwide |
| Products | Amusement rides |
| Services | Engineering, construction, maintenance and technical support |
Number of employees | 30 |
| Website | kmgrides |
KMG was founded in 1989 by Isje Kroon. According to the company, more than 300 KMG attractions are in operation worldwide. The company employs approximately 30 people and builds around ten attractions per year.[2]
History
KMG began as a small workshop in Neede, in the Achterhoek region of the Netherlands. In 1989, Isje Kroon constructed his first amusement ride, the Tropical Trip. Kroon operated the attraction at fairs throughout the Netherlands.[2]
According to KMG, the design and ride experience of the Tropical Trip attracted the attention of other fairground operators. After another operator asked Kroon to build a similar attraction, KMG began constructing amusement rides for other customers.[2]
The company later expanded internationally and began supplying attractions to travelling fairground operators and amusement parks around the world.[2]
Operations
KMG develops, calculates and designs its amusement rides through its own engineering department. The company uses modern 3D design and finite element method software for design and structural calculations.[1]
KMG designs many of its rides specifically for travelling fairground operators. The company focuses on compact transport, short setup times and reducing the number of workers and equipment required to assemble an attraction. A number of KMG rides are designed to be erected without the use of a crane.[2]
Construction
Safety and quality checks are carried out throughout the construction process. KMG works with specialised suppliers for components and processes including certified welding, coating, electrical cabinets, hydraulic systems and trailer components.[1]
According to the company, it has worked with a number of these suppliers for more than 30 years.[1]
Safety
KMG states that its attractions are designed and developed according to applicable European EN and ISO safety standards.[1]
The company's engineering department works with independent engineering companies and certification organisations. Completed attractions are tested before delivery.[1]
KMG also works with organisations in the international amusement industry, including TÜV SÜD, the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) and the Outdoor Amusement Business Association (OABA).
Maintenance and service
After an attraction is delivered, KMG provides training to the operator covering its use and maintenance. The company also provides maintenance, technical support, troubleshooting and on-site service for KMG attractions.[1]
According to KMG, more than 300 of its attractions are in operation worldwide.[1]
Recent developments
KMG continued to expand its production during the 2020s. In February 2026, KMG representative Peter Theunisz stated that the company was producing approximately 10 to 12 amusement rides per year, depending on the size and complexity of the attractions. According to Theunisz, producing only large XXL rides would limit annual production to approximately six units, with an XXL requiring nearly two years to complete.[3]
As of February 2026, KMG's next available production slot was reported to be April 2030, giving the manufacturer an order backlog of more than four years.[3]
KMG also reported that two new ride designs were under development for introduction around 2029 and 2030. Both were described as super spectacular attractions. One design is expected to travel on three transport units and the other on four. The first examples are planned for European customers in order to simplify initial testing and technical support.[3]
The company's newer products include the Lunarix. The first example is scheduled for delivery to Kissel Entertainment in April 2027, followed by another for Butler Amusements in November 2028.[3]
WHL-70 observation wheel
KMG's 70-metre transportable observation wheel made its North American debut at the Florida State Fair in February 2026. The attraction uses 45 enclosed gondolas and had previously operated in the Netherlands.[3]
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the wheel was used in the Netherlands in a restaurant-style operation in which individual families could occupy separate gondolas. After demand for this use declined, KMG reacquired the attraction.[3]
The wheel was subsequently purchased by American operators Michael Wood and Frank Zaitshik. Before entering service in the United States, modifications were made to meet American requirements, including changes to the trailer electrical systems, axle positions, rear bumpers, reflectors and gondola climate-control systems.[3]
The attraction entered the United States under the name America 250 Wheel. In 2026 it was scheduled to travel to several major events following its Florida debut, including an America 250 celebration in Charleston, West Virginia.[4]
Rides
KMG divides its current amusement ride range into four categories: Pendulum Rides, Thrill Rides, Family Rides and Concept Rides.[5]
Pendulum rides
The following attractions are listed by KMG as pendulum rides:[6]
- Vortex
- XXL
- Afterburner
- Freak Out
- Sicko
- Inversion 12
- Inversion 24
Thrill rides
The following attractions are listed by KMG as thrill rides:[7]
Family rides
The following attractions are listed by KMG as family rides:[8]
- Swing It
- WHL-70
- Surf Ride
- Speed Buzz
- X-Factory
- Fun Factory
- Parajump
- High Swing
- High Tower Ride
Concept rides
The following products and proposed attractions are listed by KMG as concept rides:[9]
- WHL-46
- WHL-33
- LED Back Wall
- Crazy-X
- Speed 16
- Balloon Ride
2017 Ohio State Fair accident
On 26 July 2017, a KMG-manufactured Fire Ball amusement ride operated by Amusements of America suffered a structural failure while operating at the Ohio State Fair in Columbus, Ohio. The attraction was a KMG Afterburner operating under the name Fire Ball.
A section of the ride broke apart while the attraction was operating, killing 18-year-old Tyler Jarrell and injuring seven other riders.[10]
Following the accident, the ride operator settled multiple lawsuits involving victims of the incident.[11][12]
Further litigation was later filed against KMG International B.V. by victims of the accident.[13]
Bankruptcy of K.M.G. International
On 2 June 2026, Kermis- En Machinebouw Gaasendam International B.V., trading under the name K.M.G. International, was declared bankrupt in the Netherlands.[14]
The bankruptcy concerned K.M.G. International rather than KMG as a whole. A court-appointed liquidator was assigned to administer the proceedings and investigate the company's assets and liabilities.[14]
