Park World - December 06/January 07 - (Page 40)

Warning : session_start : The session id contains invalid characters, valid characters are only a-z, A-Z and 0-9 in /mnt/data/www.nxtbook.com/fx/config_1.3/global.php on line 9 Warning : session_start : Cannot send session cache limiter - headers already sent output started at /mnt/data/www.nxtbook.com/fx/config_1.3/global.php:9 in /mnt/data/www.nxtbook.com/fx/config_1.3/global.php on line 9 Warning : Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by output started at /mnt/data/www.nxtbook.com/fx/config_1.3/global.php:9 in /mnt/data/www.nxtbook.com/fx/config_1.3/global.php on line 10 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 characters are only a-z, A-Z and 0-9 in Unknown on line 0 Warning : Unknown : Failed to write session data files . Please verify that the current setting of session.save_path is correct /var/lib/php/session in Unknown on line 0 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