Japan-based Sansei Technologies announced today that it has acquired Dutch roller coaster manufacturer Vekoma, taking over 100 percent of the company’s shares.
Sansei Technologies designs, builds and maintains amusement park attractions, entertainment stage installations and elevators across the globe (but primarily in Japan). Those amusement park attractions include roller coasters, water rides and dark rides. While Sansei’s roller coaster portfolio is relatively bare with only a handful operating, the company is responsible for the Buzz Lightyear and The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Undersea Adventure dark rides at various Disney parks.
Founded in 1951 and headquartered in Osaka, Japan, Sansei was formerly known as Sansei Yusoki Co., Ltd. the company changed its name to Sansei Technologies, Inc., in January 2014.
You may be familiar with the name Sansei. In 2012, the company acquired roughly 77% interest in another coaster manufacturer: S&S Worldwide. The acquisition resulted in S&S assuming the name “S&S – Sansei Technologies.” It still operates today as an independent company under Sansei Technologies. Sansei’s other subsidiary companies include Sansei Maintenance Co., Sansei Facilities Co., Sun Ace. Co and Telmic Corp.
Like S&S, Vekoma will continue to operate as an independent company. The conditions of the acquisition stipulate that no changes will be made to the company’s strategy, management, terms of employment or location of business. It isn’t merging with S&S – Sansei.
Vekoma’s governing body will remain largely unchanged, with Sansei CEO Makoto Nakagawa sitting on the supervisory board along with its two current members.
Kees van Biert, chairman of Vekoma’s supervisory board, said: “In Sansei, we have found a reputable partner, with equivalent standards and values, who can offer continuity to the company and bring us even further. Through their presence and contacts, we also see opportunities to better serve new regions, such as Japan, Southeast Asia and North America.”
Vekoma, headquartered in Vlodrop, in the Netherlands, is a roller coaster and attraction manufacturer with more than 300 coasters operating today, including the Boomerang coaster model. The company works closely with Disney, developing coasters such as Expedition Everest at Animal Kingdom and TRON Lightcycle Power Run at Shanghai Disneyland.
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