Martin & Vleminckx, a leader in the design, manufacture, fabrication, and installation of thrilling attractions, is celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2024.
Over four successful decades, Martin & Vleminckx has become synonymous with roller coasters and amusement park attractions. As it marks this milestone anniversary, the firm has reflected on its journey to become a key player in the industry.
Combining craftsmanship & successful completion
Martin & Vleminckx was founded in 1984 when Ghislain Martin and Alain Vleminckx combined their passions for construction and amusement parks. The Super Manège, their first attraction, fulfilled their common goal and opened at Six Flags La Ronde in Montreal, Canada. The duo returned to Six Flags La Ronde for their second project, the fabrication and installation of Le Monstre, the world’s tallest double-track wooden roller coaster.
See also: Martin & Vleminckx celebrates longstanding relationship with La Ronde
These initial projects began the firm’s journey, and Martin & Vleminckx has now installed more than 100 amusement rides, ranging from family attractions to record-breaking giga coasters.
Since its inception, Martin & Vleminckx has built a reputation for outstanding craftsmanship and timely and cost-effective project completion. The company’s early initiatives gained recognition for their dependability, safety, and power to delight visitors. The firm’s ambition grew along with its reputation, resulting in installations for prominent theme parks worldwide.
Alain Vleminckx, founder and chairman, says: “Looking back on 40 years, I’m incredibly proud of the dedicated team we’ve built. The passion for delivering exceptional work and commitment to our customers has always been at the heart of what we do. Ensuring our clients’ satisfaction has been a driving force from day one.”
Martin & Vleminckx has been continuously entering new markets and providing innovative goods and services for 40 years. The firm launched its own line of wood coasters after gaining an abundance of experience building and installing wooden roller coasters across the globe, including the Arkansas Twister in Magic Spring, Arkansas; the Robin Hood in Walibi, Amsterdam; and the Thunder Coaster in Tusenfryd, Oslo.
A standout project was the manufacture and delivery of the first wooden roller coaster in mainland China, which paved the way for the construction of 12 award-winning wooden coasters around the country. Its most recent accomplishment was the Leviathan, a stunning wooden coaster at Sea World on Australia’s Gold Coast.
Looking to the future
Over 40 years, Martin & Vleminckx has built an impressive legacy of achievement. As the firm marks this anniversary, it celebrates its past successes and looks forward to a future driven by innovative attractions and outstanding service.
Nathan Jones, president and partner of Martin & Vleminck, says: “Reaching 40 years in business is a testament to the relationships we’ve built and the trust our clients have placed in us. From our early days to now, our journey has been shaped by the people we’ve worked with and the clients that we’ve served.
“As we look to the future, we remain deeply committed to those partnerships. Now, with some truly groundbreaking projects on the horizon, we’re eager to build on our partnerships and collaborate with our clients to create unique experiences that will define the next generation of attractions.”
Martin & Vleminckx’s upcoming rides and attractions are set to transform amusement parks for both thrill seekers and families. Its recent innovations include the Skyspire, Thrillwheel, Skyblazer, G-Storm, Unicoaster, and Polercoaster with gravity-defying engineering that turns the concept of a rollercoaster on its head.
The firm will showcase its patented thrill rides and wooden roller coaster products at this year’s IAAPA Expo in Orlando, which is taking place from 18 to 22 November.
Last month, Martin & Vleminckx discussed the key features of thrill rides, their differentiating features, and their potential to enhance a park’s visitor numbers.
