Supplier Update
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V
ekoma Rides Manufacturing was already one of the largest roller coaster manufacturers in the world and a leader in the amusement industry. Controlling
and having the entire process in-house from design to engineering and manufacturing for all types of coasters has helped them grow. This includes attractions such as family coasters, thrill and mega coasters, and family attractions. Recent Vekoma Rides designs are characteristic for their
innovation, high quality, and durability. Special attention is given to the specific wishes of clients to custom design their attractions. With a wide product range, Vekoma Rides is responsible for supplying all time favorites such as the Junior Coaster, the Suspended Family Coaster, the iconic Boomerang, Suspended Looping Coaster, Flying Dutchman, and many more. Their latest innovative designs and developments such as the LSM Launch Coasters, Flying Launch Coasters, Mega Coasters and Dark Rides are driving the coaster industry by setting new standards for quality and innovation. Vekoma Rides Manufacturing continues to focus on making rides appealing and accessible to a wide range of guests, ensuring that the entire family, from children to their parents and grandparents, can ride and enjoy the Vekoma Rides coasters and attractions.
Expanding leisure opportunities Key to Vekoma’s current success is the expansion of Trans Retail Indonesia , a $4.3 billion company based in Jakarta, into superstore chain Transmart Carrefour. The company has started development on 50 Family Entertainment Centres (FECs) in Indonesia and elsewhere in Southeast Asia. It opened 30 venues in 2017, with more to come. The plan for each FEC is to include an indoor family roller coaster. Transmart’s roller coasters begin indoors and often sprawl
outdoors, then roll back inside. “We received one order from Transmart for 48 roller coasters,” recalls van Bilsen, “requiring us to deliver one every four weeks over a three year period. These are sit-down family coasters themed with a local IP. We have already have delivered more than 20.” Most of Transmart’s Vekoma coasters are model FC247. A
few have had their configuration modified to fit the available space. They measure 253 meters (830 feet) long with a height of 12.6 meters (41 feet). The top speed is 45 kph (28 mph). For Vekoma, Indonesia is a booming market. Major retailer Trans Retail Indonesia opened 30 new FECs
in 2017 under the Transmart Carrefour brand, and will open dozens more this year in a bid to attract more visitors to its physical stores. Trans Retail Indonesia, part of business tycoon Chairal Tanjung’s CT Corp. business group, has decided to step up to the challenge posed by the burgeoning online retail business. Currently, the company operates 94 Carrefour stores nationwide, of which 15 are the Transmart Carrefour brand and the remainder will gradually follow suit. CT Corp Chairman Chairal Tanjung believes that in order to capture the young family market, the face of retail needs to change. He says that instead of the old approach, providing a place for people to shop only, retail has to become somewhere that accommodates their whole lifestyle. The new-look Transmart provides a modern retail concept which combines an extended range shopping beyond the usual supermarket fare, along with dining and family entertainment, all under one roof. The upgraded Transmart Carrefour features several
restaurants on the ground floor. On the first floor shoppers will find fresh and frozen foods, plus electronic and fashion
FEBRUARY 2018 25
products. On the second floor is a supermarket section for groceries and hobby support equipment. Riding an escalator to the third floor will take visitors to KidCity, an indoor theme park with a variety of attractions including an indoor roller coaster from Vekoma.
Business is booming Although Vekoma has installed more than 20 family coaster in Transmart Carrefour Indonesian locations, their order book is filled with rides for other operators, too. In the coming years a Vekoma Family Boomerang roller coaster will open in Fantawild in Taiyuan, China. Family Boomerangs will open at Fantawild parks in Ganzhou, Ningbo, and Zhengzhou China, and Baoson, Hanoi, Vietnam. Sit-down coasters will be introduced at Silk Road Culture Expo Park, Oriental Heritage, two in Vinpearl Land, and Wildlands Adventure Zoo Emmen. An inverted coaster will appear at Mirabilandia, while suspended coasters are set for Vinpearl Land and Oriental Heritage. Hyper Space Warp looping coasters are planned for Fantawild parks in Handan, Taiyuan, Wuhu, and Chungsha, China. World Fairytale Land is scheduled for a Vekoma sit-down coasters, while a major American park is planning for an unidentified Vekoma ride. Firestorm rides are headed for Vinpearl in Thu Thiem, Vietnam, and Evergrande on Hainan Island, China. Top Gun Launch Coasters are in the works for Fantawild parks in Ganzhou and Ningbo, China. In addition, I-Ride Panoramic Flight Simulator media based
attractions with partner Brogent Technologies are planned for sites in Mexico, Abu Dhabi, and an American location. Vekoma was founded in 1926 by Hendrik op het Veld in
Vlodrop, Netherlands. His mission was to make farm tractors. Vekoma, in Dutch, means King of the Fields. Later they also manufactured off-shore equipment. In the 1970s they turned their attention to building amusement rides, They built their first Boomerang coaster for Bellewaerde Park in 1984, and grew modestly from there. But in the past few years the Far East began building amusement parks and Peter van Bilsen sensed an opportunity. The rest is history as Vekoma has become an amusement industry success story.
Above: Peter van Bilsen, global executive vice president of sales & marketing for Vekoma Rides Manufacturing
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