Vekoma
The company was founded in 1926 as "Veldkoning", or King of the Fields, by Hendrik Op het Veld in Vlodrop, The Netherlands. Hendrik, a farmer's son & blacksmith, developed his business to include the manufacture of harrows, ploughs and sowing machines. He developed a vast technical expertise in small steel structures while using "modern" techniques in material selection and processing.
In 1948, the trading of equipment was added to the business core, and the company name changed into "Eerste Nederlands Staalploeg en Pompenfabriek", or First Dutch Steelplough and Pumps Factory.
At the start of a decline in the agriculture industry in early 1950s, the company used its technical expertise to turn its focus to the fabrication and construction of larger steel structures for the mining industry. With this change, Hendrik's successor, his son Gerard, changed the company's name to "Machinefabriek Vekoma", an abbreviation of "Veld Koning Machinefabriek".
In 1957, Jac Houben, a master in steel and civil constructions, came to Vekoma. Together, Gerard and Jac saw the mining industry diminishing and, in 1961, they followed their customer DSM, Dutch State Mines, into the petrochemical industry. The Vekoma product range now included the design and manufacture of such items as industrial heaters and furnaces, with a healthy export business throughout Europe and America.
With the business focus on the petrochemical industry, the design, manufacture and installation of piping systems became a core activity, and the company flourished as never before. Jac and Gerard's son, Henk, became partners and Vekoma first entered the amusement industry in 1967 with the construction of its first Giant Wheel. But, always on the alert, Vekoma spotted a new opportunity: Roller Coasters. From 1977, the core business gradually moved into this new industry sector and in 1983 Vekoma shifted its focus completely. Vekoma's experience in the design, manufacture and installation of steel structures proved to be a very solid base for this new market.
In 1987, Jac took over the reigns of Vekoma and pushed forward in the pursuit of making Vekoma a worldwide name in the design, manufacture and installation of high quality roller coasters and amusement rides. One year later, Jac's son Roger joined the company, continuing the family tradition set in the 1920s. And since 1996, Roger has lead the company's quest to become the foremost integrated ride and theming company in the amusement industry.
Vekoma Rides Manufacturing is a market leader in the global amusement industry in the design and manufacture of roller coasters, family rides, water rides and people mover systems. Boasting a wide product range, Vekoma is responsible for such all-time favorites as the Boomerang, Invertigo, Suspended Looping Coaster and Junior Coaster. Plus, Vekoma's recently introduced innovations, the LSM (Linear Synchronous Motor) coaster and Flying Dutchman, are shaping the roller coaster industry of the future by setting new standards for quality and innovation. See our Reference List for a complete overview.
The company currently employs approximately 150 people worldwide in R&D, design, engineering, marketing & sales, project management and manufacturing. Production facilities are located in the Netherlands in Vlodrop and Kessel, as well as in China. Subcontractors are located throughout Europe, the United States and Asia.
Vekoma's corporate and marketing strategies focus on maintaining Vekoma's position as a leading innovator and supplier to the world's amusement industry through its diverse product range, engineering and project management, and after-sales service.
Vekoma's history and present prove that it has successfully expanded its market share through the development of its standard rides, in addition to leading creative and technological innovation for entertainment venues and amusement parks throughout the world. And, that's just what the company has in its agenda to continue in the future.
Two much anticipated rides will debut in the upcoming months. Vekoma's Tilt Coaster will take riders to the very edge when an entire section of track tilts from the horizontal to the vertical, leaving riders suspended in mid-air before a plummeting straight down toward the ground. And, the Hammerhead Stall will allow riders of all ages to experience the thrill of acrobatic stunt flying first hand.
Several more projects are on the horizon, as well. Plans are currently underway to extend the coaster range & technologies of recently introduced innovations, the Flying Dutchman and LSM. The ever-popular Boomerang is getting a facelift with a family of rides featuring vertical towers in the works. The MadHouse will see an increased range of content and theming. And, finally, a suspended coaster system is in development to provide a new sensation for younger guests based on the proven thrill of Vekoma's Junior Coaster.
In addition, Vekoma Rides Manufacturing will continue to focus on making rides smoother in order to accommodate three integral markets: families, the senior population and younger guests. By doing this, a resulting increase in demographics and ridership will allow guests of all ages to enjoy a wide range of Vekoma's thrill rides and attractions.
And, as always, Vekoma Rides Manufacturing will continue to emphasize the experience through innovative rides and creative theming so that guests will take home a memory which goes beyond the ride statistics.
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Coasters Built by Vekoma
 Air Race Alton Mouse
Anaconda
Ant Farm Express
Barnstormer
Bar-One Bushwacker
Bat
Batman the Ride
Batwing
Big Loop
Big Thunder Mountain
Blackout
Blue Tornado
Boomerang
Boomerang Coast to Coaster Calamity Mine
Casey JR
Cobra
Colorado Adventure
Comet Space
Corkscrew
Coyote's and Roadrunner's Rollercoaster
Crazy Roller Coaster
Deja Vu
Demon
Dessafio
Devil's Mine
Diamond Devil Run
 Dragon El Condor
Eraser
F2
Face Off
Family Adventure
Flashback
Flying Unicorn
Gadget's Go-Coaster
Goudurix
Grampus Jet
Gravity Max
Great Nor'Easter
Hanging Coaster
Hangman
Hangover
Hurricane
Invertigo
Jaguar
Joker's Revenge
Jubilee Odessey
Kong
Kumba
Lethal Weapon The Ride
Limit
Loopen
Loup Garou
Magic Mountain
Mayan Adventure
Mayan Mindbender
Megablitz
Merlin's Revenge
Millenium Roller Coaster
Mind Eraser
Mine Train
Missile
Nightmare
Ninja
Nio
Orient Express
Pastil Loco
Pine Star
Python
Ragin' Cajun
Rasender Roland
Revolution
Rex's Rail Runner
Rhythmical Coaster
Rioolrat
Road Runner Roller Coaster
Robin Hood
Rock n Roller Coaster
Roller
Rollercoaster
Roller Skater
Rollschuhcoaster
Rugrat's Runaway Reptar
Screamer
Sea Serpent
Serial Thriller
Shenlin
Sidewinder
Silver Streak
Spacly Sprocket's Rockets
Space Mountain
Space Shuttle
Star World Mountain
Stealth
Stunt Fall
Stunt Flyer
Super Achtbaan
Super Manege
Superman The Ride
Super Tornado
Super Wirbel
Svalbard Ekspressen
T2
Tami-Tami
Tatilya Express
Temple of the Night Hawk Thunderbolt
Thunder Coaster
Tidal Wave
Time Twister
Top Gun
Tornado
Traumatizer
Two Face The Flip Side
Vampire
Vapor Trail
Via Volta
Vogel Rock
Wervelwind
Western Crazy Express
Whirlwind
Wild Mouse
Wirbelwind
Woodstock's Express
Woody Woodpecker's Nuthouse Coaster
X-Flight
X:/No Way Out
Zoomerang
Zydeco Scream
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