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Headquartered in Turkey, Polin currently is one of the leading companies in the design, the manufacturing and the installation of water parks, water slides and water rides. While the summer season approaches for most of the water parks worldwide, we wanted to ask Polin about their latest news and innovations on this competitive market.
The Marketing Manager of the company, Sohret Pakis, answered our questions and gave us an overview of Polin's current projects, among others topics.
NewsParcs: Polin launched two new water slides at IAAPA 2011: Magic Sphere and Spheres. Could you explain us a liitle more about these new products?
Sohret Pakis: Magic Sphere and Spheres are our brand new signature rides, they both offer a unique ride experience with strong theming options. Magic Sphere is a patent pending product, its spherical geometrical shape offers a fuzzy path, which makes the water slide particulary special because the same rider might experience a new path each time. Magic Sphere is a high capacity ride with 4 people rafts that can be expanded to 6 people. We can apply our Natural Light Effects (NLE) and Special Pattern Effects (SPE) technologies for any customization. And one other important feature is that we are offering the ride in Resin Transfer Molding (RTM) composites production technology, so it proves itself to be a superior quality water slide aesthetically and physically.
NP : And what about the Spheres water slide?
SP : Unlike the giant Magic Sphere, the Spheres water slide consists of several smaller shape spheres and tunnel slide parts in between. In terms of riding experience, the main feature is that the rider is going into the sphere with a drop and doing the fast forth and back movement inside it before leaving again with a drop. It is a two person ride and our NLE and SPE are again available. Many theme applications and coloring go perfect due to the geometrical shape of the spheres, and we offer this product also in RTM.
NP: Do you already have current or new customers interested by these new water slides?
SP : Yes, they are both greeted with excitement. We are installing one Magic Sphere in Asia that will be open by February 2013. I am not allowed to share the name of the park yet since they want to break the news themselves first. What is special about this Magic Sphere is that it will be the first real media based integrated water slide. There will be incredible interactive media and special effects features within the ride so it will really be one of a kind. Concerning Spheres, we will be installing one in Russia again in the beginning of 2013. More leads are to be finalized soon.
NP : Do you have other new products under development at the moment?
SP : Sure, that is the most important part of our job! At Polin, we never stop developing new products and improving the ones that we have. We as a team are committed to offer the best and unique rides to the industry and thanks to the computer aided design programs, we now create the most thrilling rides. Nowadays, we are talking more about hybrid products and it is good that water park design and engineering are now getting more and more sophisticated : visual effects, audio effects, safety systems, etc. It is getting more complicated at the same time and it requires more dedication but now it is more exciting. At Polin, every day we are trying to find ways to make it better, to offer unique products, to integrate technology into every part. I am so glad that technology pushes our sector forward and I am very much hopeful. We do have 2 new rides that we are planning to launch at this year’s IAAPA Attractions Expo.
NP : About trade shows and expos, Polin seems to be very active on being present at these events. Where are you going to be in the coming months?
SP : Yes, we do have a busy schedule in 2012. We will exhibit in 21 trade shows and we visited or will visit 19 further exhibitions worldwide. As you will appreciate, this is a huge number and requires very carefully organization. We are showcasing and demonstrating our latest products, services. King Cobra model, RTM produced arches with NLE and SPE, banners, posters, handouts and catalogs. Looking at the industry base, we are going mostly to amusement attractions exhibitions, expos on building constructions, composites, hotels and pool & spa. Looking at the geographical distribution, we are exhibiting mostly in Europe, then in the Middle East, America, Asia and Africa. In the second half of the year, we will exhibit at the IAAPA Asian Attractions Expo (Hong Kong) from June 5 to 8, at the WWA Symposium & Trade Show (Las Vegas) from October 1 to 05, at the Euro Attractions Show (Berlin) from October 9 to 11, at Interbad (Stuttgart) from October 9 to 12, at the IAAPA Attractions Expo (Orlando) from November 12 to 16 and at Aqualie (Lyon) from November 13 to 15.
NP: Your new King Cobra water slide seems to be a huge success with 6 contracts already signed for this season. Could you give us more details about it?
SP: King Cobra is really a special water slide. Apart from the unique ride path and design configuration, it is the first water slide to offer its own fiberglass theming. The ride is coming this year in Aqualand Frejus, France (May 2012), Crystal World, Turkey (June 2012), Six Flags Great Adventure, USA (June 2012), KermanShah Waterpark, Iran (September 2012), GMOC Waterpark, China (October 2012) and Escape Waterpark, Malaysia (October 2012).
NP : What about your other projects for 2012? What kind of water slides or installations are you going to deliver and where?
SP : 2012 arrived with great projects, very exciting, very promising! Too many projects to mention them all but let me give some examples. The new Cartoon Network AMAZONE water park, currently under construction in Bang Saray, close to Pattaya on the East Coast of Thailand is worth mentioning. Scheduled to open in 2013, this park will feature signature attractions including a gigantic family wave pool, a winding adventure river, speed-racing slides, family raft slides and one of the world's largest interactive water play fortresses for kids.
Moreover, we work on 4 major water parks in Asia : GMOC Indoor Waterpark in China (Beijing), Bugis Waterpark Adventure in Indonesia, Yantai Waterpark in China and Escape Waterpark in Malaysia. We also work on two important projects in Ukraine : Odessa and Koblivo water parks both scheduled to open in next summer. We will deliver our unique Space Shuttle and looping Rocket rides in the first one. Finally, we also have major projects under construction in Russia at Rostov Indoor Waterpark, in Egypt at Reef Oasis Waterpark and in Iran at Shandiz Waterpark in Mashad. This will be the largest indoor water park of the region with totally 48 waterslides.
NP . A few words about the French market?
SP : The French market of water parks is growing and open to novelties. We, as the leading designer and manufacturer in the Region are so proud that operators in France are keen to offer unique rides to their guests! They are always looking at signature rides! In 2012, we bring new additions to five of the Aqualand water parks in Fréjus, Cap d'Agde, Saint Cyprien, Saint-Cyr-Sur-Mer, and Bassin d'Arcachon. Aqualand Fréjus is worth mentioning since it will host the first King Cobra water slide in France. Besides that, we also deliver new rides to Aqualud in Le Touquet as well as to several campings all around the country.
NP : Regarding Aqualand, you have a strong relationship with this waterpark operator. What are the keys of this successful partnership?
SP : Yes, Aqualand Group is really special for us. It has been just last year when Aqualand Bassin d’Arcachon and Aqualand St-Cyr-Sur-Mer decided to expand. They chose us as their water slide supplier to bring in uniquely designed rides and each added two unique rides in the summer. The guests were so satisfied that just after one year, the owner Aspro Group, the largest operator of leisure parks and centers in Europe, decided on a wider expansion plan, this time covering five of their parks. The group retained us as their water park supplier again. All five water parks are having unique rides and water play structures.
I believe the key of this successful partnership, is first and the foremost Aspro Group’s passion to be after the most thrilling, unique and high quality rides. On our side, we have always built strong and long-term relationships with our clients. Actually we call them partners. They are our partners and are very important for us, having repeat customers is our proud! Our Group is a client-centric organization and we have established Polin with the best quality and the best service in mind. It has always been our major target to produce the finest quality products in the industry. I guess, these factors have been influential in building a strong relationship with Aspro Group.
NP : In your opinion, which technology has had the most significant impact on the water parks industry and why?
SP : I would say that several important factors influenced the water parks industry recently. First, the introduction of the closed molded composites manufacturing technology for water slides had an important influence resulting in robust products. Being able to offer RTM manufactured slides with a better tolerance and a superior finish on both sides had great impact! Secondly, simulation and computer aided design and development. Thirdly, material technology like surfacing materials, un-slippery surfaces, splash pads or pleurae paints. Lastly, effects and technology integrated products – integrated automated systems e.g. water slide traffic control / signal lights / systems, interactive sensor systems, water slide timing systems, control units and integration of special effects like visual, audio and integration of media based attractions.
NP : What are the latest improvements, innovations in technology that Polin offers?
SP : As a pioneer in RTM manufacturing, I’d like to focus on this a little more. Polin is the only water slides manufacturer in the world that can offer its whole line of products as RTM including bowl rides and family rafting slides. These products have large components : applying RTM in their production requires higher expertise, knowledge and know-how in composites manufacturing. We also offer our unique and patented Natural Light Effect (NLE) technology and Special Pattern Effects (SPE) and translucent water slides in RTM . Being able to offer “Translucent L-RTM Water slides” is worth mentioning too since this represents the peak point of the current fiberglass composites manufacturing. Polin is offering translucent RTM water slides since 2007 and they have an enriched visual impact through glassy, shiny finish on sides, spectacular appeal and an elegant transparency.
NP : So, what’s the next step for the water parks market?
SP : I believe we will be witnessing the harmonization of manufacturing technologies, design programs, material technologies; media based attractions and effects integration into the water parks more and more.
NP : Thanks a lot for your answers!
For the lastest news of Polin, please click below on "Related articles" or visit Polin newsfeed.
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