Lappset Group Oy, strengthens its expertise in the theme park business by acquiring 51 percent of the shares of Fantasia Works Oy. This enhances Lappset's expertise and resources in themed activity parks, particularly in design and special production. The contract was closed on the 3rd. September 2018. The contract value is not published.
With this deal, Fantasia Works Oy becomes the fourteenth subsidiary of Lappset Group. The company continues to operate under its current trading name and all of its twenty employees will continue working in Kuopio [Eastern Finland]. A mutual goal for this deal is strong growth and development of Fantasia Works.
Fantasia Works have a strong background in the design and build of themed play equipment, interactive games and props. They also have exceptionally strong expertise in designing functional science centers and themed museums. Its office and production are located in eastern Finland in the city of Kuopio.
“With this deal, a new chapter begins for Fantasia Works enabling us to be involved in the global growth of the theme park sector, something we probably couldn’t have succeeded in doing alone. Together we form a combination that is one of the world’s finest in themed activity parks”, Founder, Partner & Creative Director of Fantasia Works, Mr. Jere Ruotsalainen.
Lappset Creative designs, supplies and installs themed activity parks with a number of internationally renowned children’s brands. Lappset’s main brand partners are amongst others Mattel Inc. with its famous brands Thomas and Friends, Fireman Sam and Bob the Builder. Lappset Creative also designs and builds Family Entertainment Centers with the Peter Rabbit -brand, the 150 years old character from Beatrix Potter’s beloved books.
Lappset Creative works closely with Merlin Entertainments delivering Peppa Pig –themed indoor Family Entertainment Centers to China and the US.
“The past 12 months we have faced strong growth and globalisation within Lappset Creative. Today, we are designing and building indoor parks for Merlin Entertainments in China and the USA. In addition, there is an ever-increasing demand for our services in Europe. We have worked together with Fantasia Works since year 2012. When we made the decision to invest in enhancing our own resources and expertise, it was only natural for us to first turn to the owners of Fantasia Works Oy. We perfectly complement each other’s expertise and this deal enables us to realise our growth potential”, adds director of Lappset Creative, Mr. Johan Granholm.
Further information:
Jere Ruotsalainen,
Creative Director, Fantasia Works Oy,
tel. +358 40 719 3967,
jere.ruotsalainen@fantasiaworks.com
www.fantasiaworks.com
Johan Granholm,
Director, Lappset Creative,
tel. +358 40 532 4183,
www.lappsetcreative.fi and lappset.com
Based in the town of Rovaniemi, Lappset Group is one of Europe’s leading manufacturer of playground and fitness park equipment. Lappset Creative is a division responsible for themed activity parks; its brand network includes a number of international children's brands, such as Mattel’s Bob the Builder, Thomas the Tank Engine and Fireman Sam, Merlin entertainments that is one of the world's largest theme park operators is currently constructing Peppa the Pig-themed indoor activity parks all over the world, and Beatrix Potter’s popular Peter the Rabbit and friends. In 2017, the turnover for the Lappset Group was 51 million euros, employing nearly 400 people in nine different countries. The Group has 14 subsidiaries. Its distribution network extends out to 56 different countries around the world.
Founded in 2000, Fantasia Works Oy designs themed play equipment, activity park games and props. In 2017, its turnover was 2.4 million euros and it employs 20 persons. Located in Kuopio, the company has supplied Lappset Creative with themed products for theme parks such as Mattel, Merlin and Peter the Rabbit as well as themed props used in the Santa Claus Office, Linnanmaki Amusement Park, Sarkanniemi Amusement Park Angry Birds and Doghill Fairytale Farm parks. In addition to all these, the company has delivered functional products for science centres, such as Heureka in Vantaa and activity park games in, for instance, SuperParks.
