For the Barker family in State College, business is booming.
Dan Barker, President of Pyrotechnics Management Inc., reflected on when the company was just starting out.
“We didn’t know that we had invented something that was going to be spectacular,” Barker said.
26 years ago Dan started Pyrotechnics Management and created FireOne, software that syncs music to large-scale firework shows.
“And then we also manufacture the hardware that allows you to make your creativity appear in the air to make it go off and make it happen the way you envisioned it,” Barker said.
Look back at 2017, Barker said the technology has been integrated into over 50,000 pyrotechnic displays worldwide.
“While you’re watching this newscast, this story, somewhere, someone is shooting a fireworks display with FireOne hardware and software,” Barker said.
As technology advances, FireOne products can help create more innovative displays.
Barker said the hardware was also a game changer for firework safety by allowing anyone to control the explosives remotely.
And on New Year’s Eve their products go off like clockwork.
“FireOne clients are firing a display in every time zone all around the world until you come clear back around from New Zealand, all the way back around to Hawaii to the United States and so forth,” Barker said.
FireOne will stay in the family as Dan’s son, Darin, takes the reigns.
Darin Barker, CFO of Pyrotechnics Management, said “It’s very fun, exciting industry, and it’s always bringing new and exciting things to the table that we couldn’t even imagine.”
And if you’re willing to splurge for a big celebration, you can get a lot of bang for your buck.
Darin said bigger productions can cost between $1 million to $6 million.
With high demand, Dan said he doesn’t see the fireworks industry going up in smoke any time soon.
“It’s growing and growing and it’s a big way that people celebrate,” Dan said.