Vekoma

Description

Founded in 1926 by Hendrik op het Veld in the Dutch province of Limburg, Vekoma Rides Manufacturing B.V. is headquartered in Vlodrop and has been designing and producing roller coasters and amusement rides since 1967. In 2018, Japanese manufacturer Sansei Technologies acquired a 100% stake in the company, though all products continue to be developed and delivered under the Vekoma name. Over the course of its operational history, Vekoma has engineered and installed 449 roller coasters across the globe, with that figure rising to 548 when relocated units are included. The company's portfolio spans a broad spectrum of ride categories, from family-oriented systems such as the Junior Coaster, Family Boomerang, and Mine Train, to high-intensity models including the Suspended Looping Coaster, Giant Inverted Boomerang, and LSM Launch Coaster. The Boomerang, first installed at La Ronde in 1984, became one of the most widely deployed coaster models in the industry with 77 installations worldwide. In recent years, Vekoma has expanded into technically complex formats. The Flying Coaster model, represented by F.L.Y. at Phantasialand, which opened in 2020, places riders in a prone position throughout the layout. The Spinning Coaster variant, delivered to Walt Disney World Resort in 2022, reflects the company's capacity to execute large-scale, themed installations for major international operators. The current lineup also includes the Double Launch Coaster and Thrill Glider, with deliveries extending into 2026 and 2027. The database currently catalogues 11 roller coaster models attributed to Vekoma.