Two Barnsley companies have collaborated on theme park installations for parks as far apart as Alton Towers and Legoland in Chicago.
Themesparx, which is based at Dodworth, has been working with Laserweb of Carlton to create bespoke installations which need intricate designs cutting out.
Themesparx supplies sets, sculptures, moving characters and special effects for theme parks across the UK and all over the world. Laserweb have specialist equipment which uses lasers to cut or engrave anything from woods to plastics. Both companies are being backed by Enterprising Barnsley, the business support arm of Barnsley Council.
The two companies have worked together on designs for the moon voyager-themed bedrooms at the Alton Towers Hotel; a pirate-themed play area at Legoland Discovery Center in Chicago, and installations at an animal park in Sweden, as well as several other theme park fittings, most of which are still under wraps.
Earl Holdsworth, who set up Laserweb with his son Daniel, less than two years ago in a garage, said: “It’s mindblowing where our work ends up. We have supplied tea light holders to Denmark, serving platters to restaurants in Hong Kong and Dubai, and now a ship’s mast for a theme park in Chicago.
“It just shows that the equipment we have can be used for just about anything. We can cut almost anything, we can engrave almost anything.”
Other jobs Laserweb has worked on include engraving perfume bottles; cutting out plate stands, wooden postcards and plastic cake stands.
The variety of work means that the company’s turnover has doubled each month since it moved to its premises at Carlton Industrial Estate about 18 months ago. And it has taken on two new members of staff, with plans to take on more.
“We are about to buy a fourth specialist cutting machine to keep up with demand,” said Earl. “It is one of the biggest of its kind in the country. And we are beginning to think that maybe we need bigger premises too. We have already had to create a mezzanine floor with offices, but if the work keeps coming in we will outgrow this space.”
Laserweb has been given advice by Enterprising Barnsley over its website and funding. Themesparx has been helped with marketing.
“Knowing experts from Enterprising Barnsley are there has been crucial for our growth and I am sure will help us in the future,” said Earl.
Enterprising Barnsley offers a wide range of business support to small and medium-sized businesses with growth potential.
Steve Hawkins, sector growth manager at Enterprising Barnsley, said: “It’s great to see such innovative and exciting work going on in Barnsley and it’s brilliant to see two companies working together so successfully.”