Vortex Aquatic Structures International
{{Short description|Canadian splash pad & water slide manufacturer}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Vortex Aquatic Structures International
| logo = Vortex-2023-official-logo-TLJstone.jpg
| logo_size = 250px
| logo_caption = Vortex International logo
| type = Private
| traded_as =
| fate =
| predecessor =
| successor =
| foundation = {{Start date|1995}}
| founder = Stephen Hamelin{{cite news|title=Vortex Structures Int'l., Inc|url=https://www.aquaticsintl.com/manufacturer/vortex-aquatic-structures-international|access-date=22 November 2023|newspaper=Aquatics International|date=22 November 2023}}
| defunct =
| location_city = Montreal, Quebec
| location_country = Canada
| locations =
| area_served = Worldwide
| key_people =
| industry = Manufacturing
| products = Splash pad, Water slide, Elevations, water management, interactive play structures, playable fountains, lazy river
| production =
| services = Park planning, Splash pad design, engineering, manufacturing, installation, service
| revenue =
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| aum =
| assets =
| equity =
| owner =
| num_employees = 200
| parent =
| divisions =
| subsid =
| homepage = {{URL|https://www.vortex-intl.com/}}
| footnotes =
| intl =
}}
Vortex Aquatic Structures International is a Canadian splash pad{{Cite web |last=Flinn |first=Jeff B. |date=2019-03-05 |title=Universal City plans to open new Splashpad this weekend |url=https://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local/communities/northeast/article/Universal-City-plans-to-open-new-Splashpad-this-13662589.php |access-date=2023-04-03 |website=mySA |language=en-US}} and water slide manufacturer.{{Cite web |title=VORTEX - ABOUT US - Leaders in Aquatic Play Solutions. |url=https://www.vortex-intl.com/who-we-are/ |access-date=2023-04-03 |website=www.vortex-intl.com |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2019-01-29 |title=Vortex International Supports NRPA Project - Vortex |url=https://www.vortex-intl.com/media/vortex-international-supports-nrpa-project/ |access-date=2023-04-03 |website=www.vortex-intl.com |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2019-11-26 |title=Vortex Donates Record $36,500 to Angela's Big Hearts for Little Kids Fund - Vortex |url=https://www.vortex-intl.com/media/vortex-donates-record-36500-to-angelas-big-hearts-for-little-kids-fund/ |access-date=2023-04-03 |website=www.vortex-intl.com |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Pointe-Calumet's Super Aqua Club unveils new tool to beat summer heat - Montreal {{!}} Globalnews.ca |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/8971836/super-aqua-club-multisensory-ride/ |access-date=2023-04-03 |website=Global News |language=en-US}}
Overview
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.{{Cite web |title=Company profile: Vortex Aquatic Structures International {{!}} attractionsmanagement.com |url=https://www.attractionsmanagement.com/company-profile/AM/1001 |access-date=2023-04-03 |website=Attractions Management}}{{Cite press release |last=Vortex |date=2018-09-13 |title=Vortex International Makes the Growth 500 List for 4th Consecutive Year |url=https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2018/09/13/1570585/0/en/Vortex-International-Makes-the-Growth-500-List-for-4th-Consecutive-Year.html |access-date=2023-04-03 |website=GlobeNewswire News Room |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Growth 500: The Complete Ranking of Canada's Fastest-Growing Companies |url=https://archive.canadianbusiness.com/lists-and-rankings/growth-500/2019-ranking-g500/}} Headquartered in Montreal, Vortex has regional offices in the United States and Europe.
History
Vortex Aquatic Structures International was founded in 1995 in Montreal, Canada by Stephen Hamelin.{{Cite web |title=Vortex Aquatics Structures Int'l., Inc. |url=https://www.aquaticsintl.com/manufacturer/vortex-aquatics-structures-intl-inc}}{{Cite web |last=Blooloop |date=2013-05-14 |title=Vortex Aquatic Structures International Targets Expansion In Growing Mexican Market |url=https://blooloop.com/theme-park/news/vortex-aquatic-structures-international-targets-expansion-in-growing-mexican-market/ |access-date=2023-04-03 |website=Blooloop |language=en-GB}} In 2005, Virginie Guilbeault joined Vortex and later became Executive Vice-president in 2017.{{Cite web |title=Virginie Guilbeault and Louis Parent Promoted at Vortex Aquatic Structures |url=https://www.inparkmagazine.com/vortex-aquatic-structures-guilbeault-parent/ |access-date=2023-04-03 |website=InPark Magazine |date=25 July 2017 |language=en-US}}
Vortex entered the waterslide market in 2015 with the acquisition of North Carolina-based AquaBlue, a designer and manufacturer of waterslides.{{Cite web |title=Vortex International Acquires AquaBlue |url=https://www.aquaticsintl.com/facilities/waterparks-resorts/vortex-international-acquires-aquablue_o |access-date=2015-12-07 |website=Aquatics International |date=7 December 2015 |language=en-US}}
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.{{Cite web |title=Vortex International Expands Relationship with Wanda Group |url=https://www.inparkmagazine.com/vortex-wanda-chongqing/ |access-date=2023-04-03 |website=InPark Magazine |date=20 February 2018 |language=en-US}} 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.{{Cite web |title=Vortex providing water play structures to Melia Hotels International's newest resort |url=https://www.inparkmagazine.com/vortex-melia-hotels/ |access-date=2023-04-03 |website=InPark Magazine |date=15 October 2018 |language=en-US}}
In 2021, Vortex launched Dream Tunnel, the world's first fully immersive aquatic attraction at IAAPA Expo.{{Cite press release |last=Vortex |date=2021-11-15 |title=Vortex International Launches Dream Tunnel™, World's First Fully Immersive Aquatic Attraction at IAAPA Expo |url=https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2021/11/15/2334428/0/en/Vortex-International-Launches-Dream-Tunnel-World-s-First-Fully-Immersive-Aquatic-Attraction-at-IAAPA-Expo.html |access-date=2023-04-03 |website=GlobeNewswire News Room |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=arslan_ahmed |date=2022-11-24 |title=Quebec's immersive water park ride wins award for the attractions industry |url=https://www.poolspamarketing.com/trade/news/quebecs-immersive-water-park-ride-wins-award-for-the-attractions-industry/ |access-date=2023-04-03 |website=Pool & Spa Marketing |language=en-US}} In 2022, Vortex opened World's first Dream Tunnel at Super Aqua Club in Pointe-Calumet, Quebec, Canada.
Vortex hired François Lafortune in the newly created role of Chief Commercial Officer in November 2023.{{Cite web |title=Vortex International names François Lafortune as new CCO |url=https://www.canadianmanufacturing.com/manufacturing/vortex-international-names-francois-lafortune-as-new-cco-296339/ |access-date=2023-11-29 |website=Canadian Manufacturing |date=29 November 2023 |language=en-US}}
In June 2024, Story Land theme park opened a new water attraction called "Moo Lagoon" which features a Splash pad and Elevations from Vortex.{{Cite web |title=Opening of New "Moo Lagoon" Water Playground at Story Land |url=https://www.eap-magazin.de/Article/Opening-of-New-“Moo-Lagoon”-Water-Playground-at-Story-Land.html/ |access-date=2024-06-14 |website=EUROProfessional Amusement Online |date=14 Jun 2024 |language=en-US}}
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.{{Cite web |title=Vortex International acquiert une entreprise néerlandaise|url=https://www.lapresse.ca/affaires/pme/2024-07-01/univers-pme/vortex-international-acquiert-une-entreprise-neerlandaise.php?sharing=true/ |access-date=2024-07-01 |website=La Presse |date=1 Jul 2024 |language=FR-CA}}
In January 2025 Vortex announced the expansion of its manufacturing capabilities in the United States with the acquisition of a 50,000 sq.ft. manufacturing and distribution facility in Plattsburgh, New York. The new facility will enhance Vortex's ability to meet growing customer demand across municipal and commercial markets in the United States.{{Cite web |title=Vortex achète une usine aux États-Unis|url=https://www.lapresse.ca/affaires/pme/2025-01-20/univers-pme/la-mission-de-c-cube-augmenter-la-productivite-des-pme-en-construction.php |access-date=2025-01-20 |website=La Presse |date=20 Jan 2025 |language=FR-CA}}
Awards
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 Abriohttps://lsc-pagepro.mydigitalpublication.com/publication/frame.php?i=824543&p=&pn=&ver=html5
- 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){{Cite web |title=Leading Edge Award |url=https://www.waterparks.org/web/Community/Awards/Leading_Edge_Award/web/Award/Leading_Edge_Award.aspx?hkey=0155329c-90a3-42d0-8e13-5f2be60954a6 |access-date=2023-11-15 |website=www.waterparks.org}}
- 2023, Vortex wins Dream Design Award from Aquatics International for its contribution to Florida Aquatics Swimming Training
- 2023, Vortex wins an MVP (Most Valuable Product) award from Aquatics International for Glomist
- 2022, Vortex wins the 2022 IAAPA Brass Ring Award for the Dream Tunnel project at Super Aqua Club{{Cite web |date=2022-11-22 |title=Vortex International wins IAAPA award |url=https://www.mromagazine.com/2022/11/22/vortex-international-wins-iaapa-award/ |access-date=2023-04-03 |website=MRO Magazine |language=en-US}}
- 2022, Vortex wins Dream Design Award from Aquatics International for its contribution to Linwood Park Spray Ground (Wichita, Kansas)
- 2021, Vortex wins Dream Design Award from Aquatics International for its contribution to St. James (Springfield, Virginia){{Cite web |title=The St. James of Springfield, Va. Named in Aquatics Intl. Dream Designs Issue |url=https://www.aquaticsintl.com/awards/the-st-james-of-springfield-va-named-in-aquatics-intl-dream-designs-issue_o}}
- 2020, Vortex wins Dream Design Award from Aquatics International for its contribution to Blue Ash Wading Pool (Ohio){{Cite web |title=Ohio's Blue Ash Wading Pool Honored as 2020 Dream Design |url=https://www.aquaticsintl.com/awards/ohios-blue-ash-wading-pool-honored-as-2020-dream-design_o}}
- 2019, Vortex receives a Leading-Edge Award from the World Waterpark Association for its design and contribution to The Wave Coventry (UK){{Cite web |date=2019-10-08 |title=Vortex International Wins 2nd World Waterpark Association Leading Edge Award - Vortex |url=https://www.vortex-intl.com/media/vortex-international-wins-2nd-world-waterpark-association-leading-edge-award/ |access-date=2023-04-03 |website=www.vortex-intl.com |language=en-US}}
- 2019, Water Journey wins 4 International Design Awards (IDA){{Cite web |title=Vortex International's New Water Journey products pick up four prestigious IDA Awards |date=28 March 2019 |url=https://interpark.co.uk/vortex-internationals-new-water-journey-products-pick-up-four-prestigious-ida-awards/}}
- 2018, the Explora collection wins 2 International Design Awards (IDA){{Cite web |date=2018-06-06 |title=Two IDA Awards for Vortex International's Explora Collection - Vortex |url=https://www.vortex-intl.com/media/two-ida-awards-for-vortex-internationals-explora-collection/ |access-date=2023-04-03 |website=www.vortex-intl.com |language=en-US}}
- 2018, Chosen for Hotel Group Meliá Hotels International's new Circle resort in the Dominican Republic, featuring a water park outfitted by Vortex{{Cite web |title=Vortex chosen for new Circle resort in Dominican Republic {{!}} attractionsmanagement.com products |url=http://www.attractionsmanagement.com/products.cfm?codeID=339423 |access-date=2023-04-03 |website=www.attractionsmanagement.com/}}
- 2015, Good Design Award by the Chicago Athenaeum{{Cite press release |last=Vortex |date=2015-12-17 |title=Vortex Wins Prestigious Global Design Award for Its Water Journey(TM) Solution |url=https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2015/12/17/1103437/0/en/Vortex-Wins-Prestigious-Global-Design-Award-for-Its-Water-Journey-TM-Solution.html |access-date=2023-04-03 |website=GlobeNewswire News Room |language=en}}
References
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