ZFX

What ZFX does

ZFX is a privately held theatrical flying effects and scenic automation company founded in 1994 by Robert Dean in Louisville, Kentucky, with a European office in Utrecht, the Netherlands. The company supplies and installs performer flying systems, scenic automation machinery, and in-house manufactured flying harnesses for theatrical productions, churches, schools, corporate events, aerialist acts, and custom one-off projects across 60 countries, accumulating 8,000+ productions and 3,000,000+ performer flights over 27 years. Named customers span Broadway touring productions, theme parks, broadcast television, film studios, automotive and retail corporates, aerospace (NASA/Jet Propulsion Labs), religious organizations, and universities.

The technical core is the proprietary eZ-Hoist product line — a vertically integrated family of automation components including the eZ-Trolley track system, Z-Ro turntable, Z-Spot spot hoist, eZ-Rider deck winch, eZ-FN high-speed hoist, eZ-AF/eZ-AFXL aerialist hoists, eZ-Axis SIL3 dual-channel drive boxes, eZ-Go control console, eZ-PD power distribution, and eZ-E Stop emergency stations — coordinated through Raynok motion-control software supporting hoists, winches, trolleys, curtains, and 3D bridle flying. ZFX also designs and fabricates its own flying harness line (seat, three-point, single-point, somersault, and custom configurations) and operates an in-house machine shop with waterjet, lathe, and powdercoat capabilities.

Commercially, ZFX operates on a quote-based, custom-package model for services and equipment installations, with project pricing that varies by production scope and complexity. Revenue streams split between professional services (performer flying, scenic automation installation, training, choreography) and hardware sales (eZ-Hoist systems, harnesses, accessories through the Z-Bay e-commerce storefront). The company is founder-led, debt-free, and has never raised external capital; go-to-market is sales-led with on-site consultation, supported by industry referral networks and a small direct-to-consumer e-commerce presence for harness sales.

Name

ZFX

Legal name

ZFX Inc.

Website

https://zfxflying.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

ZFX supplies and installs theatrical performer flying effects, scenic automation machinery, and proprietary flying harnesses for theater, churches, schools, corporate events, and aerialist productions across 60 countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Louisville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Performer Flying Effects Services: Full-service theatrical flying including pre-production advice, custom-built flying systems, choreography, installation, and start-to-finish consultation for productions worldwide
2. Scenic Automation Equipment & Services: eZ-Hoist automation products and custom fabrication for stage motion. Includes machinery sales, installation services, and operator training
3. Flying Harness Sales: Stock and custom flying harnesses sold directly through Z-Bay e-commerce store and direct sales
4. Equipment Accessories & Parts: Automation control components, power distribution, emergency stop stations, tracks, and accessories

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

ZFX designs, manufactures, installs, and operates theatrical flying effects and scenic automation systems for live productions worldwide. The company provides end-to-end Performer Flying services (consultation, choreography, rigging, installation, show-run support) and Scenic Automation solutions powered by its proprietary eZ-Hoist product line, alongside in-house fabricated flying harnesses sold direct and through the Z-Bay e-commerce store.

Product overview

ZFX is a theatrical flying effects company offering two primary service categories—Performer Flying and Scenic Automation—backed by a comprehensive product portfolio. The Performer Flying service provides full-service flying effects for theatrical productions including choreography, rigging, harnesses, and installation. The Scenic Automation service is powered by the eZ-Hoist product line, a complete family of automation machinery and controls including hoists (eZ-FN, Z-Spot, eZ-AF/eZ-AFXL), winches (eZ-Rider), trolleys (eZ-Trolley), turntables (Z-Ro), and control systems (eZ-Axis, eZ-Go, eZ-PD, eZ-E Stop, Raynok software). ZFX also manufactures its own line of Flying Harnesses (Seat, Three-Point, Single-Point, Somersault, and Custom configurations), all designed, fabricated, and tested in-house in the USA. The company operates across multiple market segments including theater, churches, schools, corporate events, and aerialist performances, with global reach across 60 countries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Performer Flying Full-service theatrical performer flying effects service covering pre-production consultation, choreography, rigging, harness fitting, installation, and show-run support for theatrical productions. Available to theater companies, touring shows, churches, schools, and corporate productions.
• Scenic Automation Scenic automation system design, fabrication, and installation powered by the eZ-Hoist product line, delivered as turnkey solutions for theatrical motion control including hoists, winches, trolleys, and turntables.
• eZ-Trolley Heavy-duty truss trolley system with rack and pinion drive, 1000kg load capacity per trolley, absolute encoder positioning, and BGV-C1 stage automation certification.
• eZ-Trolley Track Heavy-duty track system designed for use with eZ-Trolley, with a maximum center point load of 4,400lb on a 10ft section.
• Z-Ro Turntable Compact friction turntable machine designed to drive turntables of all sizes and loads, featuring a spring-loaded drive wheel for continuous contact.
• Z-Spot Hoist Spot hoist with 500lb lifting capacity and redundant brake, available in single line, dual line, or roll-on/roll-off configurations.
• eZ-Rider Deck Winch Zero-fleet deck winch with 600lb line pull capacity, 4ft/sec stock travel, and a 12in height for easy placement on stage.
• eZ-FN High-Speed Hoist High-speed hoist with 8ft/sec line speed, designed for practical, durable, and modular operation with the fastest lead time in the industry.
• eZ-AF & eZ-AFXL Aerialist Hoist Complete single-axis run-to-limit joystick hoist kits designed specifically for aerialist flight, available in 5HP and 7.5HP options.
• eZ-Axis Drive Box 5HP variable frequency drive box with a SIL3 dual-channel self-monitoring emergency stop system, rack-mountable with dual cooling fans and TTL/SSI encoder support.
• eZ-Go Automation Console Stage automation console with dual two-axis joysticks, 3D mouse, eight programmable macro buttons, and a built-in hold-to-run safety bar.
• eZ-PD Power Distribution Unit Scenic power automation distro rack-mount power distribution unit with camlock inputs and L15-30 oven outputs for automation systems.
• eZ-E Stop Emergency Station Emergency stop station with SIL3 dual-channel safety circuit, robust reset circuit, and ability to control up to 8 axes from one unit.
• Raynok Motion Control Software Motion control software with constant velocity speed control, absolute encoders, synchronization capabilities, and support for hoists, winches, deck tracks, curtains, trolleys, and heavy-duty scenic automation.
• Seat Flying Harness Stock seat harness connected to a backplate between the shoulder blades, designed for dynamic Peter Pan style flying.
• Three-Point Flying Harness Cross between the somersault and single-point harnesses, allowing performers to switch between flying systems without quick changes.
• Single-Point Flying Harness Stock single-point harness connected to a backplate between the shoulder blades for dynamic Peter Pan style flying effects.
• Somersault Flying Harness Variation on the standard seat harness allowing flying somersaults, with optional shoulder straps and leg supports for longer flights.
• Custom Flying Harnesses Custom flying harnesses designed and manufactured for specific applications and performers, from prototype to finished version, all done in one shop.
• Popular Shows Packages Performer flying and automation packages tailored for popular theatre productions including Aladdin, Mary Poppins, Peter Pan, Willy Wonka, and Wizard of Oz.
• Custom Solutions Custom flying effects and equipment design, fabrication, and testing for unique and challenging projects including permanent installations, Olympic events, and aerospace applications.
• Aerialist Flying Equipment & Services Aerialist flying equipment and services for cruise ships, clubs, and festival events, including custom gimmickry and high-flying specialty acts.

Quantifiable outcome

• 3,000,000+ successful performer flights
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Niscon Inc.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNiscon Inc. CEO Joe Jeremy provided testimonial praising ZFX for 'excellence in Performer Flying, Machine Design, Stage Engineering.' Implies collaborative relationship in the industry.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• Cirque du Soleil: Major live-entertainment producer that heavily uses aerial and flying effects; a thematically related buyer/consumer of flying and rigging expertise rather than a supplier competitor.
• Niscon Inc. (Raynok): Developer of the Raynok motion-control system integrated into ZFX's automation; an ecosystem partner/supplier in stage automation rather than a direct competitor.

Broad incumbents

• TAIT: Large global provider of stage automation, rigging, and scenic technology for concerts, theater, and events; overlaps with ZFX's automation offering but at far greater scale and portfolio breadth.
• Electronic Theatre Controls (ETC): Major manufacturer of theatrical rigging, controls, and stage technology serving the same theater/venue customer base as ZFX, though centered on lighting and rigging rather than performer flying.

Regional players

• Kinesys: UK-based manufacturer of automation, motion control, and hoist systems for live events and performer flying, comparable to ZFX's automation line but primarily serving European/global touring markets.

Emerging players

• Creative Conners: Maker of scenic automation hardware and control software for theaters, schools, and regional productions—overlaps with ZFX's eZ-Hoist and Raynok automation products for similar buyers.
• InterAmerica Stage: Provides stage rigging, automation, and engineered theatrical systems, overlapping with ZFX's scenic automation and custom fabrication capabilities.

Direct peers

• Fisher Technical Services (Navigator Automation): Designs and manufactures stage automation and rigging systems (Navigator) for theatrical and live-event flying and motion control, overlapping directly with ZFX's eZ-Hoist scenic automation.
• Flying by Foy: Long-established theatrical performer-flying company providing flying effects, systems, and equipment for stage and events—the most direct competitor to ZFX's core performer-flying business.
• Hall Associates Flying Effects: Specialist provider of theatrical flying and aerial effects for productions and events, competing head-to-head with ZFX's performer-flying services.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/zfxflying
• Instagraminstagram.com/zfxinc
• Xx.com/zfxflying
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/zfx-inc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ZFX