Ronald A. Bussink ^[1] has been a leading designer of giant Ferris wheels and similar structures for over 25 years. ^[2] Bussink entered the amusement industry market in 1985 ^[3] and designed, manufactured, and delivered more than 60 giant observation wheels between 1990 and 2005. ^[4]

The Bussink company was previously known as Nauta Bussink prior to moving its offices from the Netherlands to Appenzell Innerrhoden , Switzerland . ^{[5] [6]} It was then known as Ronald Bussink Professional Rides, a registered trademark of Ronald Bussink Aktiengesellschaft, ^[4] which was subsequently renamed Professional Rides Aktiengesellschaft, RoBu Privat Equity AG and then RoBu AG. ^[7]

In 2008, following the sale of Bussink's Wheels of Excellence range to Vekoma , Bussink created a new company, Bussink Landmarks, to concentrate on the supply of observation wheels of 100 metres (328 ft) and greater in height. ^[8]

Wheels of Excellence [ edit ]

The Wheels of Excellence range included the following models:

R40

Available as either a fixed or transportable model. 15 or 30 passenger cars, each able to carry 8 people.

R50

Available as either a fixed or transportable model. 18 or 36 passenger cars, each able to carry 8 people.

R60

Available as either a fixed or transportable model. 21 or 42 passenger cars, each able to carry 8 people.

Bussink R60 wheels have operated in Australia ( Brisbane ), Canada ( Niagara Falls ), France ( Paris ), Malaysia ( Kuala Lumpur & Malacca ), UK ( Belfast , Birmingham , Manchester , Sheffield ), US ( Atlanta , Myrtle Beach ) and elsewhere.

One of the most famous and well-travelled Bussink R60 wheels is the 60-metre (197 ft) ^{[9] [10]} tall Roue de Paris , originally installed on the Place de la Concorde in Paris for the 2000 millennium celebrations. Roue de Paris left France in 2002 and in 2003-2004 operated in Birmingham and Manchester , England . In 2005 it visited first Geleen then Amsterdam , Netherlands , before returning to England to operate at Gateshead . In 2006 it was erected at the Suan Lum Night Bazaar in Bangkok , Thailand , and by 2008 had made its way to Antwerp , Belgium . ^[11] Roue de Paris uses 40,000 litres (8,800 imperial gallons) of water ballast to provide a stable base. It weighs 365 tonnes (402 short tons), and can be erected in 72 hours and dismantled in 60 hours by a specialist team. Transport requires seven 20-foot container lorries, ten open trailer lorries, and one closed trailer lorry. Its 42 passenger cars be loaded either 3 or 6 at a time, and each car can carry 8 people. ^[9]

R80

Fixed wheel with either 6 or 8 support legs, and optional self-rotating capsules. 56 passenger cars, each able to carry 8 people.

In 2008, the Wheels of Excellence range of giant wheels was acquired by Vekoma Rides Manufacturing . Vekoma created a new division, Dutch Wheels BV, to market giant wheels as stand alone attractions. ^[8] As of 2012, Wheels of Excellence variants listed by Dutch Wheels BV were the R40, R50, and R60 models. ^[12]

Bussink Landmarks [ edit ]

Following the sale of the Wheels of Excellence range, Bussink founded a new company, Bussink Landmarks, to concentrate on the supply of giant observation wheels of 100 metres (328 ft) and greater in height. ^[8]

Bussink Design [ edit ]

Bussink also founded, ^[13] and is CEO of, ^[1] Bussink Design. He designed the R80XL , ^[1] which is manufactured and sold under licence from Bussink Design GmbH by Maurer German Wheels ^[14] and Chance American Wheels . ^[15] The R80XL is available in fixed (SV) and transportable (SP) versions, ^[16] both approximately 78 metres (256 ft) tall. ^{[17] [18]} The R80XL SP is the world's tallest transportable observation wheel. ^{[1] [16]}

Evolution [ edit ]

See also [ edit ]

• Gold Reef City
• Top of the World (amusement ride)

References [ edit ]

External links [ edit ]

• Official website