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History
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.
Alone or
work together?
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 is also
a part of the ShowQuest Entertainment group, provider of turnkey
services in the creation of complete entertainment experiences,
including theming, ride system engineering and manufacturing,
and the design and production of merchandise. In addition to
Vekoma, the SQE group includes ShowQuest Studios, Storyline and
Caripro Amusement Technology.
Vekoma atractions:
Click here for a list of atractions
.
Today's systems:
Vekoma now has 6 basic systems to build a coaster.(click on thim for more info)
MK 1200 system-For
steel loopers,LIM/LSM and Flying coasters.
MK 900 system-For every kind of steel coaster except loopers.
MK 700 system-Especially used for indoor (compact coasters) and junior coaster.Also used for
Mine Train.Booster instead of chain.
SLC system-(Suspended
Looping Coaster)-For SLC's and Invertigo's.
Suspended Swinging Turns System-For normal Suspended family coaster.No inversions
can be made with this system.
Woodie-For normal woodies.
Vekoma's biggest succes:
The Boomerang is Vekoma's biggest succes
.
At the second place is the SLC.
at the third place the Vekoma Junior.
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