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Premier Rides, Innovative Attractions Supplier, Relocates to Baltimore, Maryland

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Related: Premier Rides, Inc. President Joins National Aquarium’s Board of Directors

Moves into Restored Historic Baron Cigar Building

Premier Rides, Inc., a global leader in the manufacturing and supplying of high tech rides and attractions to the theme park industry, has relocated their headquarters to Baltimore as part of their plans for expansion.   Premier purchased the former Baron Co. & Cigar Building originally built back in the 1800’s.  After acquiring the 35, 000 square foot building in the heart of Baltimore’s Little Italy, Premier began an extensive historic restoration and technical upgrade of the building from the ground up working closely with Federal/State and City officials.

Jim Seay, president of Premier Rides, comments, “Baltimore is a dynamic technology focused waterfront city with a highly educated workforce.  I am both excited to see Premier become part of the fabric of the city and honored to have had the opportunity to oversee the restoration of such a historic building.”

Although the building is historic, the office utilizes many state-of-the-art technologies to keep at the cutting edge of the themed entertainment industry and to provide the most effective solutions for their clients.  Seay notes, “As an example, Premier deployed a fixed-wireless Internet connection based on WiMAX technology which allows quick scaling of our Internet bandwidth.   Additionally, we have a satellite connection displaying high-definition format on seven flat-panels around the office that allow video conference sessions to take place with our clients and the rest of the Premier Rides staff located around the world.”

About Premier Rides, Inc. 

Premier Rides is best known for its high-tech magnetic launch roller coasters.  The company is also a global supplier of traditional roller coasters, observation wheels, towers, water rides and custom designed attractions.  The company offers a comprehensive service division supplying engineering support, ride and train rehab, and parts on a 24-hour emergency basis.  The company is headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland and has additional U.S., Canadian, European, and Asian offices.  For more information, please visit www.premier-rides.com or call 1-410-923-0414.

About Baron Co & Cigar Building 

Built in the 1800’s, the historic building was purchased by Bernard Baron and Henry Kraus back in 1883 when they decided to move their cigar business, Baron Co & Cigar to Baltimore.  In 1904, the building was then taken over by the American Coat Pad Company.   Founded by Louis Bouchat and George Schleunes, the American Coat Pad Company was established to produce padding for men’s and women’s clothes.  By 1910, American Coat Pad had become the largest manufacturer of coat pads in the country.  Then in 1937, Gordon SleepRite Corporation, mattress manufacturers move in until about 1942 leaving the building vacant for decades.  Premier Rides acquired the building in 2005 and performed both extensive structural and historic renovation efforts to bring it in line with modern codes and practices.

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