Pico Play, a global leader in planning, designing, developing and constructing world-class themed attractions and entertainment, is marking one year since the launch of its fabrication facility in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).
The facility opened in September 2024, and since then, its growth has exceeded all expectations.
See also: Plan, design, build, deliver: Pico Play does it all
Ongoing expansion
Burgeoning demand in the Middle East has led Pico Play to open its cutting-edge facility in Al-Kharj, south of Riyadh, and has accelerated the company’s growth plans. In November 2025, it is set to launch a second facility in the area.
The new location, a staging and assembly facility, will also include a showroom and storage. This is set to boost production space in the current facility.
The KSA fabrication facility is more than just a physical location; it signifies the company’s investment in the region, says Darren McLean, Pico Play executive director.
“In only one year, we’ve built a team of 120 fun-makers and we’re still growing.
“Our KSA team is a talented mix of artists and craftspeople who have worked in Pico Play’s Malaysia fabrication facility and exciting new hires with experience working in the Middle East.
“It’s been so rewarding to assemble a broad range of skills, experience and energy to deliver our high-quality work, including many of our signature components like trees, waterfalls, sculptures and artificial rock work.”
The company’s projects in the region include six Discovery Adventure indoor entertainment centres in collaboration with Saudi Entertainment Ventures (SEVEN), a leader in the investment, development and operation of the Kingdom’s entertainment industry.
McLean says that Pico Play and SEVEN have a shared ambition to drive innovation in the entertainment and theming sector and create outstanding opportunities for fun and relaxation:
“SEVEN is fuelling momentum and excitement in the Kingdom and we are delighted to partner with them on several imaginative projects.
“By investing in our KSA fabrication facility, Pico Play is strengthening our local supply chain, developing local talent and providing high-quality, high-impact fabrication services in the region.”
Serving clients in the region
To create a high-performing team in the first year, strong and consistent leadership was essential. Additionally, it was important to foster an inclusive team culture that makes KSA site employees feel like they belong to the larger Pico Play community.
This is driven through weekly workshops, monthly training, daily check-ins with key managers, and Fun-Makers TV, which continually streams and subtitles staff and company material to Pico Play’s offices and facilities worldwide.
The KSA fabrication facility is led by Yousef Al Amasi.
“Yousef is a great manager with extensive manufacturing experience who’s shown really strong leadership and is helping to develop other senior leaders in the team,” says Hadi Salahat, Pico Play’s head of Middle East.
The KSA fabrication facility worked to ensure outstanding quality from launch by employing a range of initiatives, such as robust internal quality assurance and control processes, applying for ISO 9001 certification to benchmark production standards, and working with TÜV, a testing and assessment organisation, to monitor output.
“Importantly, having a fabrication facility in KSA that can produce high-quality components and products in the region is valued by our clients because we help them meet deadlines and deliver their projects on time,” says Salahat.
“Shorter supply chains, local knowledge and experience, faster shipping times and in-region support mean we can deliver value and efficiency to our clients.”
Building capacity & partnerships
Looking forward, Pico Play anticipates ongoing evolution in the Middle East.
McLean says: “These first 12 months have been about growth – growing a team of 120, building our networks and expanding our presence – and the next 12 months will be about stabilising our business.
“We have secured a significant pipeline of work in the region and our focus remains on delivering contracts to the high standard Pico Play is known for, while building capacity across our Saudi operations to partner on more exciting projects.”
Recently, Pico Play shared insights from Greg Holt, the artist and designer driving the firm’s creative vision.
