Vekoma Rides Manufacturing is a Dutch amusement ride manufacturer. Vekoma is a syllabic abbreviation of Veld Koning Machinefabriek (Veld Koning Machine Factory) which was established in 1926 by Hendrik op het Veld.
History
The company originally manufactured farm equipment and later made steel constructions for the coal mining industry in the 1950s.[2] As business shifted from farming equipment to steel construction, Veld Koning Machinefabriek was shortened to Vekoma. After the closure of Dutch mines in 1965, Vekoma manufactured steel pipes for the petrochemical industry.[3] In the 1970s Vekoma was contracted by U.S. amusement ride manufacturer Arrow Development to build the steel structure for its roller coasters in Europe. As demand increased, Arrow instructed Vekoma in track building techniques and eventually licensed its coaster-building technology. In 1979 Vekoma entered the market on its own, opening three coasters in Europe under the name Vekoma Rides Manufacturing BV.[3]
On 23 August 2001, Vekoma filed for bankruptcy.[4]
In 2006, Vekoma formed an alliance with U.S.-based manufacturer Chance Morgan.[5] Chance Rides represented Vekoma in North America and Chance Morgan manufactured the steel track for select projects. During this agreement, Chance built four Vekoma-designed family coasters.[6]
In 2008, Vekoma Rides Manufacturing acquired the Wheels of Excellence range of Ferris wheels from Ronald Bussink. Under the agreement, Bussink continued to supply wheels 100 meters and taller. Smaller wheels in the 40- to 80-meter range transitioned to a new manufacturing division of Vekoma, Dutch Wheels BV.[7]
On 17 October 2012, Chance Rides and Vekoma discontinued the agreement to produce rides together for the North American market.[8] However, shortly after terminating that agreement, Chance Rides was given an exclusive license from Dutch Wheels BV to manufacture and sell R60 wheels in the North American market under a new affiliate, Chance American Wheels.[9]
On 30 March 2018, Vekoma was acquired by Sansei Technologies, the parent company of American ride manufacturer S&S Sansei. The conditions stipulated that Vekoma's business model remain unchanged after the acquisition. Vekoma continues to manufacture and market rides as a separate entity.[10]
Roller coasters
, there are over 387 roller coasters around the world from Vekoma, some of which are either under construction or have been removed.[11]
Models
Other Vekoma coaster models include Wild Mouse, Hyper Space Warp, Firestorm, Swinging Turns, Enigma, Illusion, Family Boomerang, Tilt Coaster, Energy Storm and Powered Coasters.
In 2013, Vekoma signed a deal with Idaho-based Rocky Mountain Construction. The agreement allows Vekoma to sell Rocky Mountain Construction's roller coasters outside the North American market.[23]
Vekoma is also the constructor of Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind at EPCOT in Walt Disney World, designing innovative new "omni-coaster" cars with the capability for controlled turns and spins.
Other attractions
Ferris wheels
The Dutch Wheels product range includes the R40, R50, and R60 models, each available in three different types.[24]
Notable installations
Notable installations
Madhouse
A madhouse is a flat ride that gives the impression that the rider is upside-down, when in reality the room they are in rotates around them.
Gallery
External links
References
- Leadership Changes in Sansei Technologies Group to Expand Market Leadership Position in Amusement Ride Division Vekoma, 11 July 2023, retrieved 14 June 2024^
- Vekoma neemt bedrijf over, Limburgschs Dagblad, July 13, 1993^
- Bob Van Dyck. Fabrikanten » Bouwer in de kijker: Vekoma 3 November 2014, retrieved February 4, 2021^
- Vekoma files for bankruptcy August 23, 2001, retrieved January 26, 2023^
- Vekoma Rides Manufacturing BV - Sales & Marketing retrieved February 4, 2021^
- Chance Rides & Vekoma Rides decide to discontinue North America cooperation Amusement Today, October 17, 2012, retrieved February 4, 2021^
- Giant Wheels go Dutch - Vekoma takes over Bussink range October 26, 2014, retrieved February 4, 2021^
- Chance Rides & Vekoma Rides decide to discontinue North America coop Amusement Today, October 17, 2012, retrieved October 18, 2012^
- Dutch Wheels expands its activities into the North American market Amusement Today, October 31, 2012, retrieved February 4, 2021^
- Vekoma Rides aqcuired [sic] by Sansei Technologies Park World, April 3, 2018, retrieved February 4, 2021^
- Vekoma (Vlodrop, Limburg, Netherlands) rcdb.com^
- retrieved November 14, 2018^
- retrieved May 18, 2015^
- Raadselachtige nieuwe achtbaan opgebouwd in Limburg looping.nl, April 23, 2015, retrieved May 14, 2015^
- retrieved May 14, 2015^
- retrieved May 14, 2015^
- Hurricane (Vekoma Model) retrieved 31 May 2019^
- Space Warp Launch Coaster www.vekoma.com, retrieved 2019-11-07^
- retrieved May 18, 2015^
- Stingray - Flying Dutchman - Vekoma (Vlodrop, Limburg, Netherlands) rcdb.com^
- Roller Coaster DataBase rcdb.com, retrieved 2023-06-23^
- retrieved May 27, 2015^
- Vekoma rides on Park World Magazine, November 2013^
- Dutch Wheels - our product range retrieved 2013-09-23^
- Giant Wheel^
- Chris Owen. Say 'Goodbye' To The Giant Ferris Wheel at Six Flags Darien Lake? WYRK, May 23, 2021, retrieved May 27, 2021^
- Ride experts call 11-year-old Pleasantville girl's fatal fall from Wildwood's Morey's Pier Ferris wheel a freak occurrence Press of Atlantic City^
- Navy Pier's new attractions deemed 'critical' to luring variety of patrons.^
- Historic Navy Pier Attractions - Pier Park retrieved 2012-09-11^
- 10 millionth rider goes for spin on Navy Pier ferris wheel^
- Delhi Eye thrown open to the public The Hindu^
- Giant wheel a monumental treat | Delhi News - Times of India The Times of India^
- Partners - The Hong Kong Observation Wheel retrieved 2016-02-15^
- Jeff Mayes. Historic Navy Pier Ferris Wheel moving to resort town of Branson, Missouri Chicago Sun Times, June 24, 2016, retrieved February 4, 2021^
- Accueil www.lagranderouedemontreal.com^