Park World - December 06/January 07 - (Page 40)
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PWDEC06JAN07p40-42.qxd 12/15/06 12:38 PM Page 2 Company Profile
www.parkworld-online.com MOD OF RIAEL NDI D S WORL Dutch ride builder
Mondial is known for its range of solid, wellengineered flat rides and
Ferris wheels. An established player in the world of travelling fairs and
carnivals, the company also has a loyal following from a select group of
parks. Park World visits Mondial’s premises to discover why there’s
more to this manufacturer than many may realise “We are known for
certain rides,” concedes sales manager Theo van Zwieten, “but a lot of
parks don’t know our full programme. It’s like, ‘Mondial? Oh, they
build Ferris Wheels don’t they?’ But that’s only a small part of
it.” Indeed, like several ride manufacturers, the company’s roots come
from outside the amusement industry. Owned by husband and wife Hette and
Froukje Knijpstra, Mondial Fair Attractions was born out of a family firm
founded in 1974 in the north of Holland. Using the name ‘Knijpstra’ in
its title, the company built cranes and lifting equipment for the maritime
industry but after being asked to construct some parts for a Ferris Wheel
a few years later was split into two and renamed. “The existing name was
a little difficult to say outside the Nether lands,” notes Froukje.
Another family name, Roodberg, was chosen for the cranes business, while
the rides division was given the moniker Mondial as well as meaning”wor
ldwide” it was also the name of an old motorcycle brand, and Hette is a
big bike fan . More work on Ferris Wheels followed and then, in 1982,
designs were completed for the Tornado/Sky Flyer looping boat ride. Constr
uction of this ride was licensed to Vekoma because Mondial didn’t have
enough production capacity at the time to cope.The ride’s enjoyed
relative success until cheaper adaptations started appearing on the
market. “We feared someone would copy it, and the Italians did,” notes
Froukje. Ever since, Mondial has tried to be as individual as possible with
the rides it designs. Despite making some rollercoaster cars and a braking
system in the early years, it’s stayed out of this market because,
“there are too many competitors.” “The ride that really pushed us
into the market,” says Froukje, “was the Supernova.”This popular
family ride comprises one long 48-seat gondola sandwiched between two arms
that can turn either in parallel or independent of each other as the
gondola swings from side to side. Top Scan, top hit A succession of new
rides followed including the Roll Over, Shake, Inferno, Swinger, Splash
Over and Top Scan, which with its distinctive sweeping ‘windmill’
motion, remains one of Mondial's best selling rides to date. Main picture
above: The classic Top Scan, seen here as the Samurai at Thorpe Park in
England Right: Sales manager Theo Van Zwieten next to a packed up version
of the new Heart Breaker 40 Warning : Unknown : The session id contains invalid characters, valid
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http://www.parkworld-online.com
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Park World - December 06/January 07
Park News
Park Hoppin’
Big Question
Spotlight
Networking in Atlanta
Launch Pad
Bob Rogers
Konge Parken
Mondial
WWA Symposium
Technofolies 2006
IAAPA Attractions Expo
Euro Attractions Show
Fun Doctor
Park World - December 06/January 07
https://www.nxtbookmedia.com