Pittsburgh fireworks companies see business booms on July 4 Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09181/980740-28.stm#ixzz0JuGd9oWE&C

By Liyun Jin, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The fireworks that will be lighting up the upcoming summer nights also are shedding light on the sparks that can fly between the fireworks companies that call the Pittsburgh region home.

Earlier this year, New Castle company Pyrotecnico won a contract to put on the display at the Three Rivers Regatta on July 4, beating out its New Castle neighbor, Zambelli Fireworks, which has done the show nearly every year for the last two decades.

Zambelli's displays still can be seen regularly over PNC Park, where a spokesman for longtime client Pittsburgh Pirates said the company has "never failed to put on an outstanding fireworks display."

The industry is extremely competitive, said Pyrotecnico President Stephen Vitale, with companies vying to offer the most creative and awe-inspiring designs, the brightest colors, the biggest bangs and even the best safety precautions and insurance policies.

The industry has experienced tremendous growth in the past decade, swelling from total revenue of $425 million in 1998 to $940 million in 2008, according to American Pyrotechnics Association, the leading fireworks industry trade association.

Pyrotechnics is a fairly recession-resistant industry and, even during these tough times, demand for displays has risen, according to those in the business.

"It's the one time each year that whole community comes together and sees their money at work and rallies around a good time," said Roberto Sorgi, owner of American Fireworks Inc. in nearby Hudson, Ohio.

No question Zambelli Fireworks is a heavyweight in the fireworks business. The company both manufactures its own fireworks and imports from other countries. Zambelli says it has the largest inventory of fireworks in the world.

Because of its size -- the company produces more than 3,500 shows each year -- Zambelli has "the ability to manufacture anything we want," said President George Zambelli Jr.

But Mr. Vitale at Pyrotecnico said his company's fireworks are top-notch, too.

Mr. Vitale said Pyrotecnico helps design fireworks that it buys and that the input "shows in the end result, since the products go well together."

Each year, two Pyrotecnico employees make three to four trips to China to visit suppliers, collaborate on design, see what new products are offered and inspect the manufacturing process.

Even the best Chinese suppliers can't match the quality of American-made fireworks, according to Sara Rinkhoff, whose husband owns Old Glory Powder Co. in Smock, Fayette County.

Mrs. Rinkhoff takes pride in the fact that 65 percent of her company's shells are not only American-made, but made on site.

Each December, Old Glory begins crafting fireworks by hand -- stars (small pellets of fireworks material), bursts (the material that propels the fireworks) and paper cans that form the shells -- then filling, stringing and pasting together shells.

For Mr. Sorgi, at American Fireworks, the difference in quality of fireworks isn't a big deal. Around 95 to 98 percent of all fireworks used in the United States comes from China, meaning most companies carry the same products, he said.

Instead, American Fireworks distinguishes itself through artistic design and behind-the-scenes service for clients, Mr. Sorgi said.

His company touts its safety record, set-up preparations and an employee-training process that takes one to two years and involves going to shows, helping with set-up and participating in the shooting.

Pyrotecnico, a fourth-generation family business that produces more than 2,000 shows nationwide each year, last year won the Gold Jupiter award at the Montreal International Fireworks Competition for a show that combined music and fireworks shot from the water and from the ground.

Though Pyrotecnico may have snagged the regatta contract this year, Dr. Zambelli maintains his company remains the leader in fireworks design.

Zambelli Fireworks constantly reviews old shows to see how to improve displays and "stay ahead of the curve," he said. Right now, the company is focusing on shows meticulously choreographed to music and featuring fireworks layered in altitude, creating various design patterns.

The Three Rivers Regatta fireworks show will feature about 22,000 fireworks. Though Mr. Vitale declined to specify how much the contract was worth, he said a good price point was $15,000 for an average 15-minute display around the Fourth of July.

Given Pittsburghers' passion and familiarity with fireworks, can Mr. Vitale's Pyrotecnico hope to meet their lofty expectations?

"I don't hope," he said. "It will be the best that Pittsburghers have seen."

Liyun Jin can be reached at ljin@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1410.

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