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]
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]
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]
Vortex has won several awards, some of which are as follows,