Dutch Wheels

Description

Founded in 2008 as a dedicated division of Vekoma Rides Manufacturing B.V., Dutch Wheels is headquartered in Weert, in the Dutch province of Limburg. The company emerged from Vekoma's accumulated expertise in steel construction and ride engineering, separating into an independent entity to focus exclusively on the design, manufacture, and servicing of Ferris wheels for the global amusement and observation market. The product portfolio is organized into two primary lines. The Red-series covers fixed installations ranging from 40 to 65 meters in height, with models designated RS40, RS53, and RS65, each fitted with eight-person gondolas and tailored toward destinations with moderate visitor throughput. The White-series represents the company's larger-scale offering, spanning 80 to 135 meters, with the flagship WS135 standing at 443 feet and accommodating configurations of either 24 gondolas for 26 passengers or 48 gondolas for 12 passengers. Both series are permanent, container-shipped installations designed for long operational lifespans. Across both lines, Dutch Wheels provides an extensive range of customization options, including HVAC climate control, two-way passenger communication systems, automatic gondola doors, glass floors, full multimedia packages with displays and touchscreens, and gondola interiors configured as dining or meeting spaces. Lighting options include spoke-mounted LED systems, a central hub video globe, and a full LED light net capable of displaying programmable images and patterns across the wheel structure. The company's installed base spans nineteen locations across North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, including the Centennial Wheel in Chicago, the Hong Kong Observation Wheel, La Grande Roue de Montréal, and the Seattle Great Wheel. Alongside manufacturing, Dutch Wheels operates DW Service, a dedicated aftermarket division supplying spare parts, on-site maintenance, technical support, and engineering upgrades for Ferris wheels as well as third-party attractions including roller coasters, dark rides, drop towers, and thrill rides.