ETF Ride Systems Founder Ruud Koppens Retires

(eap) Ruud Koppens (photo), founder of the Dutch ride system developer ETF Ride Systems (ETF), is retiring. The 67-year-old was a member of the ETF Group for nearly 51 years and started the sub-company ETF Ride Systems, which specialises in trackless dark rides and innovative amusement ride systems, 26 years ago. In future, Koppens wants to spend more time with his family. He is confident to leave his business in good hands: a family “deeply involved in the amusement industry” has acquired the company and has set itself the goal of maintaining ETF as an independent company, keeping the same team and premises.

Ruud Koppens developed ETF Ride Systems into a global market leader in the leisure industry for trackless dark ride systems, which are known for their technical reliability. The company, which celebrated its 25th anniversary last September, has realised over 750 projects to date. True to his innovative spirit, Koppens is leaving ETF with the presentation of a new product: over the past few months, he has led the development of a new high-end vehicle for trackless dark rides, which will be presented under the name of “Dynamic Mover” at the upcoming amusement industry trade show in Amsterdam.

The most recent major projects completed under Koppens’ management include “Sponge Bob’s Crazy Carnival Ride” at the Hotel & Casino Circus Circus in Las Vegas (read also our cover story in EAP 2/2024). If required, as Koppens says, he will continue to support the company he founded and has managed for many years in an advisory capacity in the future. ■