Vekoma Rides’ CEO Har Kupers Becomes Corporate Executive Officer of Sansei Technologies

(eap) Vekoma Rides, the roller coaster manufacturer based in Vlodrop, Netherlands, has announced changes on top management level. Har Kupers (photo), who has been serving Vekoma for over thirty years now and holds the position of the company’s CEO, will take over the role of Corporate Executive Officer at Sansei Technologies next year. The Japanese publicly listed company had taken over Vekoma Rides in 2018 (c.f. EAP News of 03 April 2018). Kupers will remain associated with Vekoma and Sansei’s American company of S&S Worlwide as Chairman. His base of operations will also remain in Vlodrop.

“I see this appointment as recognition of the continued good results of our team at Vekoma. This gives us the opportunity to further embed our vision and way of working within the Sansei Technologies Group,” says Har Kupers. “The acquisition by Sansei Technologies Inc. in 2018 was all about further internationalization for Vekoma. Within that process, we see more and more opportunities and possibilities for synergy between the companies. This deserves special attention, and from this role within the group I can steer in a targeted way.”

Noboru Rachi, CEO of Sansei Technologies, adds: “Mr. Kupers has an extensive track record in the entertainment industry, particularly in the areas of quality, safety and innovation. Our commitment in these areas is the basis for realising our customer promise. Therefore, I am confident that with the appointment of Mr. Kupers and his consistent leadership in these areas, Sansei Technologies’ growth ambitions will be realized in a way that best serves our customers and shareholders.”

The new Vekoma CEO will be Anne-Mart Agerbeek, who currently holds the position as Chief Financial Officer and statutory managing director. “Vekoma is first and foremost a team. This also applies to the current management team. We operate as a team, each with their own tasks and responsibilities. I am very pleased that we have found the ideal candidate for the CEO position within our current team in the person of Anne-Mart. The composition of the rest of the management team remains unchanged. I look forward to continuing to work with the management team, with Anne-Mart and I both operating from a new role,” comments Kupers. ■