Vortex Aquatic Structures International
![]() Vortex International logo | |
Company type | Private |
---|---|
Industry | Manufacturing |
Founded | 1995 |
Founder | Stephen Hamelin[1] |
Headquarters | , |
Area served | Worldwide |
Products | Splash pad, Water slide, Elevations, water management, interactive play structures, playable fountains, lazy river |
Services | Park planning, Splash pad design, engineering, manufacturing, installation, service |
Number of employees | 200 |
Website | www |
Vortex Aquatic Structures International is a Canadian splash pad[2] and water slide manufacturer.[3][4][5][6]
Overview
[edit]Vortex Aquatic Structures International pioneered the first Splashpad. It is among the fastest-growing companies in Canada, making the Growth 500 list for the fifth consecutive year in 2019.[7][8][9] Headquartered in Montreal, Vortex has regional offices in the United States and Europe.[3]
History
[edit]Vortex Aquatic Structures International was founded in 1995 in Montreal, Canada by Stephen Hamelin.[10][11] In 2005, Virginie Guilbeault joined Vortex and later became Executive Vice-president in 2017.[12]
Vortex entered the waterslide market in 2015 with the acquisition of North Carolina-based AquaBlue, a designer and manufacturer of waterslides.[13]
In 2018, Vortex expanded its relationships with the Wanda Group, China's largest entertainment group. Together, they started a project of an interactive aquatic play structure for the waterpark component of Chongqing Wanda Cultural Tourism City.[14] The same year, it partnered with Meliá Hotels International to provide water park play structures for the chain's new member-only destination in Punta Cana, the Dominican Republic.[15]
In 2021, Vortex launched Dream Tunnel, the world's first fully immersive aquatic attraction at IAAPA Expo.[16][17] In 2022, Vortex opened World's first Dream Tunnel at Super Aqua Club in Pointe-Calumet, Quebec, Canada.[6]
Vortex hired François Lafortune in the newly created role of Chief Commercial Officer in November 2023.[18]
In June 2024, Story Land theme park opened a new water attraction called "Moo Lagoon" which features a Splash pad and Elevations from Vortex.[19]
Vortex announced in July 2024 that it acquired Watergames & More, a Dutch family-owned company specializing in water play experiences. This acquisition will bolster Vortex's manufacturing and service capabilities in Europe.[20]
Awards
[edit]Vortex has won several awards, some of which are as follows,
- 2024, Vortex wins an MVP (Most Valuable Product) award from Aquatics International for CoolHub Abrio[21]
- 2023, Vortex wins Leading Edge Award from the World Waterpark Association for Zephyr River, the world's first Dream Tunnel at Super Aqua Club (Quebec)[22]
- 2023, Vortex wins Dream Design Award from Aquatics International for its contribution to Florida Aquatics Swimming Training[2]
- 2023, Vortex wins an MVP (Most Valuable Product) award from Aquatics International for Glomist[4]
- 2022, Vortex wins the 2022 IAAPA Brass Ring Award for the Dream Tunnel project at Super Aqua Club[23]
- 2022, Vortex wins Dream Design Award from Aquatics International for its contribution to Linwood Park Spray Ground (Wichita, Kansas)[9]
- 2021, Vortex wins Dream Design Award from Aquatics International for its contribution to St. James (Springfield, Virginia)[24]
- 2020, Vortex wins Dream Design Award from Aquatics International for its contribution to Blue Ash Wading Pool (Ohio)[25]
- 2019, Vortex receives a Leading-Edge Award from the World Waterpark Association for its design and contribution to The Wave Coventry (UK)[26]
- 2019, Water Journey wins 4 International Design Awards (IDA)[27]
- 2018, the Explora collection wins 2 International Design Awards (IDA)[28]
- 2018, Chosen for Hotel Group Meliá Hotels International's new Circle resort in the Dominican Republic, featuring a water park outfitted by Vortex[29]
- 2015, Good Design Award by the Chicago Athenaeum[30]
References
[edit]- ^ "Vortex Structures Int'l., Inc". Aquatics International. 22 November 2023. Retrieved 22 November 2023.
- ^ a b Flinn, Jeff B. (2019-03-05). "Universal City plans to open new Splashpad this weekend". mySA. Retrieved 2023-04-03.
- ^ a b "VORTEX - ABOUT US - Leaders in Aquatic Play Solutions". www.vortex-intl.com. Retrieved 2023-04-03.
- ^ a b "Vortex International Supports NRPA Project - Vortex". www.vortex-intl.com. 2019-01-29. Retrieved 2023-04-03.
- ^ "Vortex Donates Record $36,500 to Angela's Big Hearts for Little Kids Fund - Vortex". www.vortex-intl.com. 2019-11-26. Retrieved 2023-04-03.
- ^ a b "Pointe-Calumet's Super Aqua Club unveils new tool to beat summer heat - Montreal | Globalnews.ca". Global News. Retrieved 2023-04-03.
- ^ "Company profile: Vortex Aquatic Structures International | attractionsmanagement.com". Attractions Management. Retrieved 2023-04-03.
- ^ Vortex (2018-09-13). "Vortex International Makes the Growth 500 List for 4th Consecutive Year". GlobeNewswire News Room (Press release). Retrieved 2023-04-03.
- ^ a b "Growth 500: The Complete Ranking of Canada's Fastest-Growing Companies".
- ^ "Vortex Aquatics Structures Int'l., Inc".
- ^ Blooloop (2013-05-14). "Vortex Aquatic Structures International Targets Expansion In Growing Mexican Market". Blooloop. Retrieved 2023-04-03.
- ^ "Virginie Guilbeault and Louis Parent Promoted at Vortex Aquatic Structures". InPark Magazine. 25 July 2017. Retrieved 2023-04-03.
- ^ "Vortex International Acquires AquaBlue". Aquatics International. 7 December 2015. Retrieved 2015-12-07.
- ^ "Vortex International Expands Relationship with Wanda Group". InPark Magazine. 20 February 2018. Retrieved 2023-04-03.
- ^ "Vortex providing water play structures to Melia Hotels International's newest resort". InPark Magazine. 15 October 2018. Retrieved 2023-04-03.
- ^ Vortex (2021-11-15). "Vortex International Launches Dream Tunnel™, World's First Fully Immersive Aquatic Attraction at IAAPA Expo". GlobeNewswire News Room (Press release). Retrieved 2023-04-03.
- ^ arslan_ahmed (2022-11-24). "Quebec's immersive water park ride wins award for the attractions industry". Pool & Spa Marketing. Retrieved 2023-04-03.
- ^ "Vortex International names François Lafortune as new CCO". Canadian Manufacturing. 29 November 2023. Retrieved 2023-11-29.
- ^ "Opening of New "Moo Lagoon" Water Playground at Story Land". EUROProfessional Amusement Online. 14 Jun 2024. Retrieved 2024-06-14.
- ^ "Vortex International acquiert une entreprise néerlandaise". La Presse (in Canadian French). 1 Jul 2024. Retrieved 2024-07-01.
- ^ https://lsc-pagepro.mydigitalpublication.com/publication/frame.php?i=824543&p=&pn=&ver=html5
- ^ "Leading Edge Award". www.waterparks.org. Retrieved 2023-11-15.
- ^ "Vortex International wins IAAPA award". MRO Magazine. 2022-11-22. Retrieved 2023-04-03.
- ^ "The St. James of Springfield, Va. Named in Aquatics Intl. Dream Designs Issue".
- ^ "Ohio's Blue Ash Wading Pool Honored as 2020 Dream Design".
- ^ "Vortex International Wins 2nd World Waterpark Association Leading Edge Award - Vortex". www.vortex-intl.com. 2019-10-08. Retrieved 2023-04-03.
- ^ "Vortex International's New Water Journey products pick up four prestigious IDA Awards". 28 March 2019.
- ^ "Two IDA Awards for Vortex International's Explora Collection - Vortex". www.vortex-intl.com. 2018-06-06. Retrieved 2023-04-03.
- ^ "Vortex chosen for new Circle resort in Dominican Republic | attractionsmanagement.com products". www.attractionsmanagement.com/. Retrieved 2023-04-03.
- ^ Vortex (2015-12-17). "Vortex Wins Prestigious Global Design Award for Its Water Journey(TM) Solution". GlobeNewswire News Room (Press release). Retrieved 2023-04-03.