Coventry Quad Pods prove unusual export success

A COVENTRY-made theme park transport system is being exported to leisure attractions around the world after proving a hit in the UK.

Quad pods have become popular with children and adults visiting the Heart Park and Beach at the Heart of England Conference and Events Centre in Fillongley.

Stephen Hammon, managing director of the tourist attraction, has now linked-up with another local business, G A V Developments and Security in Exhall, to manufacture and export the pods.

The pods, made of galvanised steel, are built to order and have already been shipped to a small fun park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, a caravan park in Souraide in France, a National Trust property in Northern Ireland and Castle Rednock Trekking Centre in Scotland.

Mr Hammon said the pods were an area of the business which had taken off through word of mouth and through use of the internet.

“We introduced the quad pods about three years ago and they are really popular,” he said.

“Children love them to get around the woodland and they are a great way of taking groups of children – and the not so young! – around the site quickly.

“We were asked if we could supply a set so we looked into it and now we are manufacturing them on-site and delivering them to a wide range of customers.”

He said several of the pods had been sold to the National Trust and the organisation was now considering buying more for other National Trust properties.

“Then we had a lady telephone from the Congo who has bought a piece of land for a small fun park so we have sent another set over there.

“They meet the requirements of the Health and Safety Executive and we are now carrying out research to determine the demand for quad pods for disabled children and adults,” added Mr Hammon.

“We are really pleased with the initial success of this part of the business and it is an area we are looking to expand.

“We are diversifying into manufacturing boat trains and mini trains which are also ideal for transporting youngsters around a large site in a fun and friendly way.

“We have already booked a stand at the National Farms Attractions Network Conference at Drayton Manor Theme Park next February because we think this could be an untapped market.”