In 1961, Chance Manufacturing Co. was incorporated by Harold Chance. It was the beginning of a family tradition of building amusement rides and attractions.
Chance Manufacturing Co. began with the production of the C.P. Huntington Train and expanded to include various trailer mounted rides such as the Trabant and the Zipper. In 1970, Chance purchased the assets of the Allan Herschell Company which at that time was the largest manufacturer of amusement rides in North America. This acquisition expanded the product line to include carousels. Later, in 1977, Minibus was acquired by Chance for the ability to produce small metro transit buses and streetcars.
Dick Chance, Harold’s son, founded Chance Industries, Inc in 1985 as a holding company for three subsidiaries, including Chance Rides, Chance Coach and Chance Operations. The company purchased the assets of Chance Manufacturing Co. and grew to 425,000 sq. ft. on 40 acres with nearly 400 employees. In 1998, Chance Industries sold the Coach subsidiary retaining the Tramstar product line.
Michael Chance, Dick’s son, purchased the assets of D.H. Morgan Manufacturing, Inc., a roller coaster design and manufacturing firm, in 2001 and formed Chance Morgan, Inc. Chance Rides Manufacturing, Inc., the third generation of manufacturing companies to be owned by the Chance family, was formed later that year to produce the rides sold by Chance Morgan.
Throughout the last decade, Chance has fully consolidated the Morgan Manufacturing operation into to its Wichita, Kan. headquarters. Chance will continue to offer rides from the Morgan product line, as well as provide spare parts and technical services for all Morgan rides. The company ownership remains within the Chance family.
In celebration of the milestone 50th year in 2011, Chance reintroduced the Chance Rides brand in all its company marketing efforts.
Today Chance Rides is operating on the same 40 acre facility with 300,000 sq. ft. under roof. Currently employing over 100 skilled workers, many serving Chance Rides for more than 10 years.
Wichita, KS is the aviation capital of the world yielding a large, highly skilled local workforce and many specialized manufacturing businesses. The location in the heart of America also allows easy access to customer sites, manufacturing resources and engineering expertise.
Click on the video below to learn more about the Chance Family Business.
