An Atlanta-area amusement park that was the home of the largest zero-G stall roller coaster in the country closed for the last time on Sunday.

Fun Spot America Atlanta’s location in Fayetteville had its final day of operation on August 2, after the amusement park had been in operation for 36 years.

It opened as Dixieland Fun Park in 1990 under different ownership, and it was later renamed Fun Junction USA before it was acquired by Fun Spot in 2017. The company’s plan to close the park was announced in late June.

The park was known for the ArieForce One, which claimed the title of being the largest zero-G stall ride in the country.

ATLANTA-AREA AMUSEMENT PARK WITH LARGEST ZERO-G STALL ROLLER COASTER IN AMERICA TO CLOSE

Fun Spot America’s theme parks in Kissimmee and Orlando, Florida, will remain open. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/Orlando Sentinel/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)

The ArieForce One features a 146-foot first drop at an 83-degree angle, with the ride reaching a top speed of 64 mph, according to Fun Spot America. It has a height requirement of 48 inches and lasts about 100 seconds.

It reaches a maximum vertical G of 3.75, with a minimum vertical G of minus 1 and a max lateral G of plus or minus 1.25 G.

Fun Spot America Theme Parks owner and CEO John Arie, Jr., told USA Today that the Fayetteville location struggled to rebound in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic despite the opening of the new ride, which was named in honor of his father.

DISNEYLAND VISITORS FACE GROWING WAVE OF RIDE CLOSURES, SHOW SHUTDOWNS HEADING INTO SUMMER 2026

John Arie Jr., owner and CEO of Fun Spot America, said the company hopes to find a buyer for its famous roller coaster.  (Dewayne Bevil/Orlando Sentinel/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)

Arie said in the interview that the roller coaster is too large to fit at either of the company’s Florida theme parks, so they will look to find a buyer for the ride.

He told the outlet he was thankful for the employees, who the company is helping with resumes, recommendations and potential job opportunities at the company’s locations in Central Florida, adding that he hopes the park’s patrons will visit Fun Spot’s other theme parks.

“From my family to yours, we thank everybody that’s come to this Fayetteville location, and we hope that we’ve earned your business to visit us in Florida if you ever come down to Central Florida, and we’ll always do our best to have your family have the best experience on our properties,” Arie told USA Today.

SIX FLAGS TO SELL 7 AMUSEMENT PARKS IN DEAL WORTH MORE THAN $330M

Fun Spot America said it will honor season passes and gift cards at its other theme parks in Florida. (Hans Gutknecht/MediaNews Group/Los Angeles Daily News via Getty Images)

Fun Spot America opened its first theme park in 1979 with its Orlando location. It also operates an amusement park in Kissimmee, Florida.

The company’s Orlando and Kissimmee locations will remain open, and will honor season passes and gift cards.

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Operator

Good day, and welcome to the Douglas Dynamics Second Quarter 2026 Earnings Conference Call. [Operator Instructions] Please note this event is being recorded. I would now like to turn the conference over to Nathan Elwell, Vice President of Investor Relations. Please go ahead.

Nathan Elwell
Vice President of Investor Relations

Thank you. Welcome, everyone, and thank you for joining us on today’s call. Before we begin, I would like to remind you that some of the comments that will be made during this conference call, including answers to your questions, will constitute forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks that could cause actual results to be materially different. Those risks include, among others, matters that we have described in today’s press release and in our filings with the SEC. Please note the quarterly fact sheet can be found on our IR website.

Joining me on the call today is Mark Van Genderen, President and CEO; and Sarah Lauber, Executive Vice President and CFO. Mark will provide an overview of our performance, followed by Sarah reviewing our financial results and guidance. After that, we’ll open the call for questions.

With that, I’ll hand the call over to Mark. Please go ahead.

Mark Van Genderen
President, CEO & Director

Thanks, Nathan, and welcome to our call, everyone. We’re pleased to report that both segments performed well in Q2, resulting in a record quarter for the

Newport-based AerFin is being acquired by Japanese firm Orix Aviation

Welsh headquartered aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul company, AerFin is being acquired by a Japanese venture in deal worth hundreds of millions of pounds.

Newport headquartered AerFin, a leading aftermarket specialist that buys, sells, leases and repairs aircraft, engines and parts, is being acquired by Japanese firm Orix Aviation. Subject to regulatory approval the deal is expected to be finalised towards the end of the year.

The deal comes after AerFin, which also has operations in Miami, Singapore and Dublin, posted strong financials in 2025 with revenues climbing 25% to around £276m and Ebitda up 33% to more than £52m. The value of the deal has not been disclosed, but with debt, is understood to be around £475m.

Last year Aerfin completed a relocation from Bedwas to a new larger HQ and maintenance facilities at Indurent Park in Newport.

The deal provides an exit for AerFin’s private equity backers and majority owner CataCap. Of AerFin’s global workforce of more than 230 around half are based in Newport.

Established in 1991, Orix Aviation owns and manages aircraft and provides comprehensive asset management services to Japanese and international investors and funds through its full-service operating lease platform.

Chief executive of AerFin Simon Goodson said; “I am delighted that AerFin is joining the Orix Group, a business that shares our values and belief in trusted partnerships, flexible solutions and finding the way ahead for our customers.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank our founder Bob James (who set up the business in 2010 originally in Cardiff) for his vision and tenacity, our departing majority shareholders CataCap for their outstanding custodianship and guidance, and of course our customers, employees and partners who have made our business what it is today.

“Wales has played a defining role in AerFin’s growth story. From our beginnings in Cardiff, through our time headquartered in Caerphilly, to our Newport headquarters today, we have built a global aviation business with Welsh talent, ambition and values at its core.

“This agreement is a major milestone for AerFin, but it is also a reflection of the expertise, commitment and commercial strength we have developed here in Wales. As part of Orix Aviation, we will have the backing to keep growing internationally while remaining proud of where our journey began.”

James Meyler, chief executive of Orix Aviation, said: “The acquisition of AerFin is a significant milestone for Orix Aviation and Orix Group as we expand our capabilities across the aircraft lifecycle.

“AerFin has built a leading aviation aftermarket platform, supported by an experienced management team, deep technical expertise and a global customer network. Together, we will be well positioned to deliver additional value for customers and investors, while supporting a more sustainable aviation industry through the reuse and optimisation of aircraft assets.”

Peter Ryttergaard, co-founder and partner at CataCap, said: “AerFin has been an outstanding success story, and we are proud of what has been achieved during our ownership. The team has built a leading business through their expertise, entrepreneurial spirit, and unwavering focus on its customers and people.

“We have always sought to support businesses with strong cultures and ambitious growth plans, and AerFin has exceeded our expectations on both fronts. As the company enters its next phase, we believe Orix Aviation is the right long-term owner to support that journey. “

AerFin founder Mr James “Having built AerFin from the ground up and spent my career in the aviation MRO sector, I recognise a strong leadership team and a long-term home when I see one. Simon Goodson has led the business brilliantly through this transition, and I have every confidence in him and the wider team as they take AerFin into its next chapter.

“CataCap have been an excellent partner throughout this journey, fully supportive, engaged, and genuinely invested in what we’ve built together. Oirx Aviation bring exactly the support, reputation and long-term commitment this business deserves, and I am delighted AerFin has found such a natural home to continue its growth.”

ORIX Aviation was advised by Goldman Sachs International as sole financial advisor, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher as legal counsel, EY as financial due diligence advisor and PwC as tax due diligence advisor.

AerFin was advised by Rothschild & Co as sole financial advisor, Baker McKenzie as legal counsel, KPMG as financial and tax due diligence advisor and BCG as commercial due diligence advisor. Osborne Clarke and Liberty Corporate Finance acted respectively as legal counsel and financial advisors to the management team.

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. shares rose more than 5% in U.S. trading Monday after the Chinese technology company unveiled its latest and most capable artificial intelligence model, reinforcing its position in the intensifying domestic and global AI competition.

The New York-listed American depositary receipts climbed $6.20, or 5.07%, to $128.45 as of early afternoon Eastern time. The advance tracked gains in the company’s Hong Kong-listed shares, which also moved higher following the announcement.

Alibaba released Qwen 3.8-Max, described as the flagship model in its Qwen series and its most powerful to date. Reports indicated the model features approximately 2.4 trillion parameters and demonstrates improved performance across programming, office applications, scientific research and complex long-cycle tasks. Company materials and market coverage positioned it as competitive with leading systems, including recent offerings from other Chinese developers and models associated with Anthropic.

Alongside the model launch, Alibaba initiated a public beta of QwenWork, an enterprise-oriented product available to individual and business users via its official website. The combination of the advanced model and the enterprise tool was cited by market participants as enhancing Alibaba’s competitive standing in AI infrastructure and applications, areas closely tied to demand for its cloud computing services.

The AI developments come as Alibaba continues to emphasize growth in its Cloud Intelligence Group. In its most recent reported results for the quarter and fiscal year ended March 31, 2026, the company showed solid momentum in cloud revenue even as overall group profitability faced pressure from investments in other areas. Cloud Intelligence Group revenue rose significantly year over year, with external cloud sales and AI-related product revenue recording strong expansion, including multiple consecutive quarters of triple-digit growth in AI products.

Investors have focused on the potential for AI services to drive higher-margin cloud business over time. Alibaba has invested heavily in computing capacity and model development amid competition from both domestic rivals and international players. The latest model release arrives ahead of the company’s next earnings report, expected in late August, when further details on cloud growth, AI monetization and overall profitability trends are anticipated.

Alibaba’s broader business spans e-commerce platforms such as Taobao and Tmall in China, international digital commerce, cloud computing, and various technology and logistics operations. The company has navigated a challenging environment in recent years marked by regulatory scrutiny in China, softer consumer spending at times, and geopolitical tensions affecting technology access and cross-border operations.

Shares of Alibaba and other Chinese technology companies have experienced substantial volatility. The ADRs have traded in a wide 52-week range, reflecting shifting sentiment toward Chinese equities, AI investment themes, and macroeconomic conditions. Recent sessions have shown renewed interest in names with visible AI exposure as investors rotate toward perceived value opportunities in the sector.

The model launch also occurs against a backdrop of rapid iteration among Chinese AI developers. Competitors have released large-scale models, and access to advanced computing resources remains a key factor. Separate reports in recent days noted Alibaba’s involvement in providing computing capacity related to other domestic AI efforts, underscoring the interconnected nature of the ecosystem.

Market reaction Monday reflected optimism that continued AI progress could support longer-term growth in high-value cloud and software services. Analysts tracking the company have pointed to cloud revenue acceleration and improving unit economics in certain investment areas as potential catalysts, though near-term results have been mixed due to spending on user acquisition, technology infrastructure and competitive initiatives such as quick commerce.

Alibaba maintains a substantial cash position that provides flexibility for ongoing research and development and capital expenditures. Management has pursued share buybacks at various points, signaling confidence in the long-term value of the business while returning capital to shareholders.

Risks remain, including regulatory developments in China and the United States, competition in both e-commerce and AI, execution on converting model capabilities into sustained revenue and margin expansion, and broader economic conditions affecting consumer and enterprise spending. Geopolitical factors and technology export restrictions continue to influence the operating environment for Chinese technology firms.

Nevertheless, the positive response to Qwen 3.8-Max highlighted investor appetite for concrete advancements in Alibaba’s AI portfolio. The public beta of the enterprise product adds a commercial pathway for broader adoption. As the company prepares to report its next quarterly results, attention will center on the pace of cloud growth, the contribution of AI-related offerings, and progress toward more balanced profitability across its portfolio.

Trading volume was elevated as the shares advanced, consistent with heightened interest following product news. The move added to a period of recovery for the stock from earlier lows in 2026, though it remains well below prior peaks. Broader technology and Chinese equity sentiment also provided a supportive backdrop on the day.

Alibaba’s dual focus on defending and expanding its core commerce businesses while scaling AI and cloud capabilities remains central to its strategy. The latest model release serves as a tangible milestone in that dual approach, drawing market attention to the potential upside if execution continues and demand for advanced AI infrastructure and applications holds.