SMART Software has relocated its Effingham, Ill. headquarters to larger digs across the street. The company says the move should result in better productivity and growth as the increased square footage will allow for additional hires across all departments. “SMART’s rapid growth in the ATM, amusement, and gaming spaces coupled with expanding influence in various field service related markets has led to our expansion into this new office,” said Bob Willenborg, SMART Software’s owner. “The additional space is bound to better serve our customers and accelerate our growth,” he added. According to the company, the move comes on top of…
Author: Casey Minter
Rob Berk, chairman and founder of the annual Pinball Expo, announced last month that he was taking full control of the beloved pinhead gathering as of this year’s October show. Berk (pictured at right with his son Jaden at a previous Pinball Expo) made the decision to dissolve his partnership with Mike Pacak at the conclusion of last year’s Expo. Berk acquired full ownership in March, and said the move was to ensure the survival of the Expo. “In the process of planning for a spectacular event, I have secured Dave Fix as the vendor hall chairman and Rob Craig…
Unique is a word often bandied about without much thought, and there are few people who truly deserve the title. One of those people – inventor, entrepreneur and coin-op friend Keith Egging – passed away after a battle with ALS this past Friday (May 4). Egging is remembered by Ruth, his wife of 49 years, his son Jacek, two grandchildren and his longtime friend, Don Marshall, who wrote the passage below: “Keith went through medical school, owned a neon shop, designed coin-operated games, built dozens of radio-controlled airplanes, was an avid scuba diver and inventor of many odd things. Through…
From Keith Egging: This will be Keith Egging’s last email. Every 90 minutes someone acquires ALS. Every 90 minutes someone dies from ALS. I guess it was my turn….. So, not to offend the Political Correct Police, you can choose the ones that works best for you. Keith Egging… __ Passed __ Died __ Went to be with the ___________(Fill in the blank of a deity of your choice, or one that you assume would be my choice.) __ Croaked __ Kicked the bucket __ Expired __ Perished __ Passed on __ Bit the big one __ Completed his pre-scheduled…
A public notice this week confirms that Heighway Pinball’s assets are headed toward liquidation, following a number of reports that the U.K.-based pin maker had shut its doors. Heighway was established in 2012, but reportedly saw significant and consistent service, sales and delivery delays throughout its short lifespan. By 2015, they’d released the racing themed Full Throttle pin, which included some revolutionary designs never before seen in the pin world, including a specialty LED screen and animations on the playfield. Despite having a stellar license, the company’s second pin, Aliens, began shipping in 2017 to a small group, with many…
Coast to Coast execs say they have been busy on the prize showcase side of the biz. They recently installed its color-changing, linkable redemption counters in two FECs along the Jersey Shore, Jenkinson’s Boardwalk and Lucky Leo’s. “Many of our customers expressed the desire for counters designed specifically for the amusement industry. We answered the call by engineering these from the ground up. Our counters are configurable with multiple lengths, corner styles and a back-wall showcase. The synchronized multi-color lightshow really becomes a focal point in any arcade,” said Coast to Coast’s Steve Paris. Paris wasn’t the only one impressed…
CJ Barrymore’s, a storied FEC with a long history in fun, recently raved about a sitdown meeting with Bob’s Space Racers team during last year’s IAAPA show, and the ultimate result of that meeting. The FEC just took delivery of its newest attraction, a glowingly popular BSR Whack a Mole group game from BSR’s arsenal. The game is fully customized for the location, with an unmissable topper emblazoned with the FEC’s name. CJ top Rick Iceberg couldn’t be more pleased, “Our two teams sat down at IAAPA and dreamt up something truly special.” BSR’s Ron Malinowski adds, “Working with a…
A new family fun center in the middle of Wisconsin held its grand opening March 24, according to the Marshfield News Herald. Located at the Marshfield Mall — in the town of the same name — Hub City Adventure Family Fun Center has laser tag, mini golf and a full arcade. Owners Mike and Nicole Schreiner were both born and raised in the city, and said they were thrilled to add a new entertainment option there. “We are excited and this is great for not just kids, but for families to do together,” Mike Schreiner said. The center will eventually roll out…
Members from AAMA and AMOA, with support from their legal counsel from Dentons, descended on Washington, D.C., from April 16-18 to continue fighting for the industry’s best interests. The contingent focused on multiple issues while visiting 13 Congressional offices, and also met with Bank of America officials in an attempt to combat unwarranted account closures that have continued since Operation Choke Point was rescinded by the Department of Justice last year. Additionally, some members stayed an extra day to hold a meeting with the Office of the Comptroller of Currency on the issue as…
QubicaAMF has collaborated with Cinergy Cinemas again for a new cinema entertainment center in Amarillo, Texas. The new location includes 18 lanes of bowling on top of games, screens and more. “After evaluating other companies, we quickly learned the most costly expense is the equipment you have down on a Friday night,” explains Jeff Benson, CEO Cinergy Cinemas & Entertainment. “That is why we chose to go with the reliable and innovative bowling products from QubicaAMF.” QubicaAMF Senior VP and G.M. Jay Buhl said, “Cinema entertainment centers have been a tremendous area of growth for the bowling industry, and it…