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Simtec is a flying theatre and simulator ride supplier for the attractions industry, as well as a manufacturer of driving and flight simulation applications. With its new digital signage system Simtec also offers advertising solutions. Its CEO, Bernd Kaufmann, is leading the company forward as it continues to be a leading supplier in the attractions industry.
Simtec offers a number of products to the attractions sector, including its Funride simulators, ScreenFlite digital signage system and HexaFlite flying theatres
Founded in 1989, Simtec has spent the last three decades establishing itself as a leader in its field.
Based in Braunschweig, Germany, the company develops and manufactures simulator systems for various applications such as automotive component testing and driving simulation. The majority of its business is done within the entertainment industry, where it develops simulator attractions for customers worldwide. Simtec Asia – a subsidiary of Simtec – was created specifically to support its customers in East Asia, with a marketing and sales office in Shanghai, China, and a service location in Wuhan, China.
“Our most successful product is our HexaFlite Flying Theater system, as well as our Funride closed cabin simulators,” says company CEO, Bernd Kaufmann.
“We have a powerful focus in the development of simulator attractions with our own engineering teams. Beside this engineering focus we do the system integration and can offer turnkey solutions for several simulator systems.”
High-profile clients Simtec has focused its business on three different industries. The first is the entertainment industry, serving customers including theme parks, museums, zoos and expos. The second is the automotive industry, where it creates test systems for automotive components, driving simulators, and test systems for other applications. Digital signage is the third arm of Simtec, with its new moving advertising system for airports, shopping malls and other places.
Working primarily in these three areas, over the last three decades Simtec has built up an impressive client list.
In the attractions sector, major clients include Volkswagen Autostadt, the Mercedes Benz Museum, Cinecittà, Wanda and Evergrande. Simtec has also worked for research institutes such as the German Aerospace Establishment, universities, museums and multiple Expos, including World Expos in Hannover and Shanghai.
In the automotive industry, these include the likes of Volkswagen, Audi, BMW and Mercedes, as well as a number of different automotive suppliers.
The company has installed its ScreenFlite digitial signage system at Aeroporto di Roma and can offer similar solutions for locations including airports and shopping malls.
“We’re supplying our customers with customised, as well as small series, products. We also do special development projects of unique systems,” says Kaufmann. “We take this worldwide, with a focus on Europe, the Middle East, China and East Asia.”
Always innovating With the slogan “German innovation in motion”, it’s no surprise Simtec likes to offer custom-designed products, created on-site within 7,000sq m (75,000sq ft) of system integration halls and offices. “We have our own technology development capabilities and don’t depend on others to develop innovative products,” says Kaufmann. “We like to work with customers on a long term perspective, so having everything in-house is perfect.”
When working with new clients, Kaufmann says that Simtec management will work with their client to understand their ideas, targets and vision for a new system or attraction, so they can create a bespoke final specification matching their needs.
A current project is the HexaFlite flying theatre, which is being installed in China for both Wanda and Evergrande.
An industry perspective As the business grows and evolves, Simtec always his its finger on the pulse.
“We have an internal team that analyses the market and tries to summarise different needs in the industry,” Kaufmann explains. “As we’ve been in the market for about 30 years now, we’ve a gained much experience and have designed our own new products to fit different demands.”
Not only does Simtec analyse its own customers, but it keeps an eye on the global attractions market. Identifying different strengths and weaknesses in various world regions, Simtec does this so that it can deliver the best product possible to each individual market.
“China is the strongest market at moment,” says Kauffman. “Due to the economic war between the US and China, a German supplier such as Simtec is more and more interesting for our customers in China and in wider Asia.
“We’re prepared in that market with our fully-owned subsidiary. We also have a very good and experienced team in both our China and Germany locations, with our staff able to take additional business for our entertainment systems, as well as our automotive test systems and digital signage systems.”
Reliable business Simtec can provide a multitude of solutions for the visitor attractions sector, whether that be in creating rides, working in the automotive sector or creating digital signage. But why choose this company?
“If you’re a customers who’s looking for a reliable, family-owned supplier with a 30 year track record in the industry call Simtec,” says Kaufmann. “Here we expect the unexpected.”
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
Rides: Themed dreams
We take a look at some of the major
openings at visitor attractions worldwide
Theme Parks: Fan power
Jordan Middleton explains how operators
can best work with their audiences
Tourism: The Tourist Trap
What role could attractions play to keep
tourism beneficial for residents and
visitors alike? Kath Hudson reports
Conference: Creativity Cocktail
This year’s SATE conference came to the global epicentre for themed entertainment – Orlando – as the Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) searched for the secrets to “The Experience Recipe”.
Promotional feature: Whitewater
WhiteWater is branching out of the waterpark business as it
introduces two new attractions products and its brand new
Vantage guest engagement and management software
Show report: Enabling fun
Tom Anstey was on-hand to see what was
on offer at this year’s Euro Attractions Show
Promotional feature: Simtec - forward thinking
Simtec is a flying theatre and simulator ride supplier
for the attractions industry, as well as a manufacturer
of driving and flight simulation applications
Management and qualifications Led by Bernd Kaufmann, Simtec’s team of around 90 employees is made up of different groups, including mechanics, hydraulics/pneumatics, electric and software and project management.
Within these teams, Simtec delivers its projects based on the Prince II system, which is a structured project management method based on seven key principles: Continued Business Justification, Learn From Experience, Defined Roles And Responsibilities, Manage By Stages, Manage By Exception, Focus On Products, Tailor To Suit The Project Environment.
The company also holds an ISO 9001 quality approval, a globally-recognised management system based on Customer Focus, Leadership, Engagement of people, Process approach, Improvement, Evidence-based decision making and Relationship Management.
Simtec also holds several other key qualifications for special applications in areas such as the automotive industry.
Bernd Kaufmann leads Simtec as its CEO and owner
Simtec offers a number of products to the attractions sector, including its Funride simulators, ScreenFlite digital signage system and HexaFlite flying theatres
Simtec offers a number of products to the attractions sector, including its Funride simulators, ScreenFlite digital signage system and HexaFlite flying theatres
Simtec’s interactive dark ride combines a traditional dark ride concept with the fun of competing each other of modern video games
Contrast therapy, based on the alternation of hot and cold rituals, has become one of the
most valued practices in the fields of wellness and recovery. [more...]
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Simtec is a flying theatre and simulator ride supplier for the attractions industry, as well as a manufacturer of driving and flight simulation applications. With its new digital signage system Simtec also offers advertising solutions. Its CEO, Bernd Kaufmann, is leading the company forward as it continues to be a leading supplier in the attractions industry.
Simtec offers a number of products to the attractions sector, including its Funride simulators, ScreenFlite digital signage system and HexaFlite flying theatres
Founded in 1989, Simtec has spent the last three decades establishing itself as a leader in its field.
Based in Braunschweig, Germany, the company develops and manufactures simulator systems for various applications such as automotive component testing and driving simulation. The majority of its business is done within the entertainment industry, where it develops simulator attractions for customers worldwide. Simtec Asia – a subsidiary of Simtec – was created specifically to support its customers in East Asia, with a marketing and sales office in Shanghai, China, and a service location in Wuhan, China.
“Our most successful product is our HexaFlite Flying Theater system, as well as our Funride closed cabin simulators,” says company CEO, Bernd Kaufmann.
“We have a powerful focus in the development of simulator attractions with our own engineering teams. Beside this engineering focus we do the system integration and can offer turnkey solutions for several simulator systems.”
High-profile clients Simtec has focused its business on three different industries. The first is the entertainment industry, serving customers including theme parks, museums, zoos and expos. The second is the automotive industry, where it creates test systems for automotive components, driving simulators, and test systems for other applications. Digital signage is the third arm of Simtec, with its new moving advertising system for airports, shopping malls and other places.
Working primarily in these three areas, over the last three decades Simtec has built up an impressive client list.
In the attractions sector, major clients include Volkswagen Autostadt, the Mercedes Benz Museum, Cinecittà, Wanda and Evergrande. Simtec has also worked for research institutes such as the German Aerospace Establishment, universities, museums and multiple Expos, including World Expos in Hannover and Shanghai.
In the automotive industry, these include the likes of Volkswagen, Audi, BMW and Mercedes, as well as a number of different automotive suppliers.
The company has installed its ScreenFlite digitial signage system at Aeroporto di Roma and can offer similar solutions for locations including airports and shopping malls.
“We’re supplying our customers with customised, as well as small series, products. We also do special development projects of unique systems,” says Kaufmann. “We take this worldwide, with a focus on Europe, the Middle East, China and East Asia.”
Always innovating With the slogan “German innovation in motion”, it’s no surprise Simtec likes to offer custom-designed products, created on-site within 7,000sq m (75,000sq ft) of system integration halls and offices. “We have our own technology development capabilities and don’t depend on others to develop innovative products,” says Kaufmann. “We like to work with customers on a long term perspective, so having everything in-house is perfect.”
When working with new clients, Kaufmann says that Simtec management will work with their client to understand their ideas, targets and vision for a new system or attraction, so they can create a bespoke final specification matching their needs.
A current project is the HexaFlite flying theatre, which is being installed in China for both Wanda and Evergrande.
An industry perspective As the business grows and evolves, Simtec always his its finger on the pulse.
“We have an internal team that analyses the market and tries to summarise different needs in the industry,” Kaufmann explains. “As we’ve been in the market for about 30 years now, we’ve a gained much experience and have designed our own new products to fit different demands.”
Not only does Simtec analyse its own customers, but it keeps an eye on the global attractions market. Identifying different strengths and weaknesses in various world regions, Simtec does this so that it can deliver the best product possible to each individual market.
“China is the strongest market at moment,” says Kauffman. “Due to the economic war between the US and China, a German supplier such as Simtec is more and more interesting for our customers in China and in wider Asia.
“We’re prepared in that market with our fully-owned subsidiary. We also have a very good and experienced team in both our China and Germany locations, with our staff able to take additional business for our entertainment systems, as well as our automotive test systems and digital signage systems.”
Reliable business Simtec can provide a multitude of solutions for the visitor attractions sector, whether that be in creating rides, working in the automotive sector or creating digital signage. But why choose this company?
“If you’re a customers who’s looking for a reliable, family-owned supplier with a 30 year track record in the industry call Simtec,” says Kaufmann. “Here we expect the unexpected.”
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
Rides: Themed dreams
We take a look at some of the major
openings at visitor attractions worldwide
Theme Parks: Fan power
Jordan Middleton explains how operators
can best work with their audiences
Tourism: The Tourist Trap
What role could attractions play to keep
tourism beneficial for residents and
visitors alike? Kath Hudson reports
Conference: Creativity Cocktail
This year’s SATE conference came to the global epicentre for themed entertainment – Orlando – as the Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) searched for the secrets to “The Experience Recipe”.
Promotional feature: Whitewater
WhiteWater is branching out of the waterpark business as it
introduces two new attractions products and its brand new
Vantage guest engagement and management software
Show report: Enabling fun
Tom Anstey was on-hand to see what was
on offer at this year’s Euro Attractions Show
Promotional feature: Simtec - forward thinking
Simtec is a flying theatre and simulator ride supplier
for the attractions industry, as well as a manufacturer
of driving and flight simulation applications
Management and qualifications Led by Bernd Kaufmann, Simtec’s team of around 90 employees is made up of different groups, including mechanics, hydraulics/pneumatics, electric and software and project management.
Within these teams, Simtec delivers its projects based on the Prince II system, which is a structured project management method based on seven key principles: Continued Business Justification, Learn From Experience, Defined Roles And Responsibilities, Manage By Stages, Manage By Exception, Focus On Products, Tailor To Suit The Project Environment.
The company also holds an ISO 9001 quality approval, a globally-recognised management system based on Customer Focus, Leadership, Engagement of people, Process approach, Improvement, Evidence-based decision making and Relationship Management.
Simtec also holds several other key qualifications for special applications in areas such as the automotive industry.
Bernd Kaufmann leads Simtec as its CEO and owner
Simtec offers a number of products to the attractions sector, including its Funride simulators, ScreenFlite digital signage system and HexaFlite flying theatres
Simtec offers a number of products to the attractions sector, including its Funride simulators, ScreenFlite digital signage system and HexaFlite flying theatres
Simtec’s interactive dark ride combines a traditional dark ride concept with the fun of competing each other of modern video games
Jessica Sloyan, a wellness operations and training expert, has established an independent
private training academy to provide professional qualifications for practitioners looking to offer
immersive wellness experiences.
The International Spa Association (ISPA) has published its full 2026 US Spa Industry Study,
providing further insights into the region’s total US$1 billion (€855 million, £780 million)
industry revenue increase from 2024 to 2025.
Ameyalli, the 78-acre wellbeing resort and residential community in Midway in Utah, US, has
broken ground on phase two of the hot spring development – the Ameyalli Resort and Spa –
which is due to open in 2028.
TLee Spas and Wellness has revealed the design concept for a high-tech spa with body
mapping scanners to improve public health, for AI company Midjourney.
Gran Hotel Taoro in northern Tenerife, Spain, has completed the final phase of its three-year
renovation with the debut of its Sandára Wellness Centre.
Hand and Stone Massage and Facial Spa, the spa business with more than 650 locations across
the US and Canada, has appointed franchise expert Carrie Walsh as CEO as the company plans
to expand.
Synergy – The Retreat Show, the global trade show for retreats, has launched a global research
initiative that will provide insights into the retreat sector from both consumer and industry
perspectives.
The Wellness Tourism Association (WTA) has published a non-regulatory global industry
framework designed to ensure the retreat market offers responsible experiences.
A new survey of UK and international spa practitioners shows that stress, burnout and
wellbeing concerns have caused one in three respondents to consider leaving the industry.
Contrast therapy, based on the alternation of hot and cold rituals, has become one of the
most valued practices in the fields of wellness and recovery. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers
COMPANY PROFILES
Spa Supply Solutions Founded in 2014 by spa management expert Julie Bevilacqua, Spa Supply Solutions is a leader in spa p [more...]
