Last checked at 12 Jan 2012 07:00
12 January 2012
Lo-Q plc
("Lo-Q" or the "Company")
Contract Win
- Lo-Q to install Q-bot electronic queue management system at LEGOLAND® Deutschland -
- Contract builds on success of Lo-Q systems at two other Merlin Entertainment Group sites: LEGOLAND® Windsor in the UK and Heide Park in Germany -
Lo-Q plc (AIM: LOQ), the AIM-listed provider of virtual queuing systems for theme parks and major attractions, is pleased to announce that it has signed an agreement to install its patented Q-bot system at LEGOLAND® Deutschland: a part of Merlin Entertainments Group, the world's second largest visitor attraction operator.
The three year contract will see the system installed in time for the park's opening on the 30 March 2012. One of Germany's most popular family theme parks, LEGOLAND Deutschland is built from more than 55 million LEGO bricks and is uniquely targetted at families with young children. Like all Merlin's attractions the Park operates a strategy of continuous investment, and is constantly looking to improve its offer to its guests and ensure they get the very best from their visit. Once operational, the Q-bot system will - for an additional fee - enable visitors to explore the attraction more easily than ever before.
The Q-bot is a hand-held device which allows visitors to reserve their time on a ride without having to physically stand in the queue, something which has great appeal to LEGOLAND's very young visitors. This innovative product enables park operators to maximise the revenue they can generate at their parks, freeing up visitors to enjoy other attractions, eat at one of the many restaurants and use other services rather than standing in line.
This agreement builds on Lo-Q's very strong relationship with Merlin Entertainments Group and owes much to the significant success of Lo-Q's existing system at two other Merlin parks: LEGOLAND® Windsor in the UK and Heide Park in Germany.
Commenting on the news Tom Burnet, Chief Executive Officer of Lo-Q plc said:
"We are delighted that Merlin Entertainments Group has agreed to install yet another Q-bot system in one of its most exciting parks. For us, this decision marks another important vote of confidence in the value and capability of our technology. Adding LEGOLAND® Deutschland to our park portfolio further strengthens our presence in the European theme park arena and we look forward to building on this renewed strength in the coming months."
Hans Aksel Pedersen, General Manager, LEGOLAND® Deutschland, added:
"Delivering a memorable guest experience is a huge focus for all of us at LEGOLAND® Deutschland and the Lo-Q Q-bot system will help us to deliver on this priority."
For further information, please contact:
Lo-Q plc +44 (0)118 934 7400
Tom Burnet, Chief Executive Officer
FTI Consulting +44 (0)20 7831 3113
Matt Dixon, Clare Thomas, James Melville-Ross
Canaccord|Genuity Limited +44 (0)20 7050 6500
Simon Bridges, Kit Stephenson
About Lo-Q
Lo-Q is the creator of a virtual queuing system for theme parks and other leisure attractions that allows users to queue without waiting in line. Lo-Q users reserve their place in a queue electronically and are notified when their turn is up, spending less time queuing and more time enjoying their day out.
Lo-Q's system has been adopted by leading theme park and attraction operators globally, with customers including Parques Reunidos, Six Flags, Dollywood and LEGOLAND Windsor. These operators benefit not only from happier customers but also from additional revenue streams as time previously spent queuing is instead transformed in to higher spending in park restaurants, gift shops and other retail facilities. By the end of 2010, more than six million individuals had used a Lo-Q product and that number is growing.
The Company's technology is protected by extensive patents or patents pending in Europe, USA, Hong Kong and Japan. The target market for this technology is large and growing, with Lo-Q currently exploring opportunities for expansion into new theme parks and new geographies as well as opportunities to develop new product for other complementary adjacent markets.
Lo-Q is listed on the Alternative Investment Market ("AIM") under the ticker "LOQ". For further information please visit www.lo-q.com
About Merlin Entertainments
MERLIN ENTERTAINMENTS is the leading name in location-based, family entertainment, and has seen the most successful and dynamic growth of any company in the sector over the last eight years. Europe's Number 1 and the world's second largest visitor attraction operator, Merlin now operates nearly 80 attractions, six hotels and two holiday villages in 17 countries across four continents. The company aims to deliver memorable and rewarding experiences to its 44 million visitors worldwide through its iconic global and local brands, and the commitment and passion of its managers and more than 17,000 employees. Merlin Entertainments operates the following attractions - SEA LIFE, Madame Tussauds, LEGOLAND, The EDF Energy London Eye, Dungeons, Gardaland, LEGOLAND Discovery Centres, Alton Towers Resort, Warwick Castle, THORPE PARK, Chessington World of Adventures Resort, Blackpool Tower, Heide Park, Earth Explorer, Sydney Aquarium, WILD LIFE Sydney, Sydney Tower Eye and SKYWALK at the Sydney Tower Eye, Kelly Tarlton's Antarctic Encounter and Underwater World, Oceanworld Manly, and WILD LIFE Hamilton Island. All brands are distinctive, challenging and innovative, and have great potential for growth in the future. Visit www.merlinentertainments.biz for more information.
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