Pictured above: Children enjoy the bubbles at a Simworx 4D
theatre
A Black Country company is thrilling audiences worldwide with
its 3D and 4D effects, theatres and simulation attractions for the
entertainment and education industries - all with a bit of help
from UK Trade & Investment.
Sitting in a Simworx 4D theatre is an experience visitors don't
forget - they may find their seats swaying, they may be lightly
sprayed with water; blown by wind or peppered with bubbles. The
effects are tailored to match the 3D film playing in the theatre,
whether that be a kids' animation feature film, or a fun but
educational film about outer space, or the ocean.
Simworx Ltd of Kingswinford, West Midlands is a market leader in
the design, manufacture and development of 3D and 4D attractions
including 4D Effects Cinemas and Dynamic 4D Motion Simulation
Theatres. The company has 600 installations worldwide located in
museums, corporate promotion venues, zoo's and aquariums and some
of the world's leading theme parks in the UK, France, USA, Holland,
South Africa and New Zealand. The company also has one of the
largest libraries of 3D films in the industry including feature,
animation and educational films.
Simworx was set up in 2005 by Terry Monkton and Andy Roberts who
realised early on the importance of exporting to the success of
their business.
The company joined UKTI's Passport to Export scheme for new
exporters in 2005, and following the success of this, progressed to
the Gateway to Global Growth programme for exporters with two to
ten years' experience. It offers an in-depth export review,
assistance in formulating an international trade strategy,
networking opportunities to share best practice and signposting to
funding streams such as financial support for market
visits.
Simworx has recently won its biggest single contract to date - a
238 person capacity 4D theatre at Futuroscope, France worth a
million euro.
Terry Monkton said: "The funding assistance we've had from UKTI
to attend exhibitions and events has helped us win business - no
doubt about it. Our International Trade Adviser, Joy Heatley, is
excellent at flagging up opportunities such as exhibitions and
trade fairs which, being so busy, I may miss and we would end up
losing out. We've had market research from UKTI on new markets such
as Singapore and Pakistan which have helped hugely with our
strategy for approaching these unfamiliar markets. We've also had
invaluable advice on local business customs for example in
Medellin, Columbia where we recently signed a £300,000 order
for a 4D theatre. Joy makes it very easy for us, she lets us know
what opportunities are out there and also what funding is
available. She's brilliant!"
Joy Heatley, International Trade Adviser said: "Simworx is an
energetic and enthusiastic company to work alongside, delivering
fantastic ways of having fun as well as learning. The Heritage and
Tourism sector - including museums, theme parks and visitor
attractions - is worth £21bn to the UK's economy and Simworx
is an integral element of that. As technology develops I can
see that Simworx will be at the forefront of this dynamic sector
and will continue to fly the flag for UK's exporting success."