Suzo-Happ Group today announced the acquisition of Dynamics Chinatec Industries (HK) Limited (“Chinatec”), a Zhuhai, China-based manufacturer of parts and components used in the gaming, amusement and transportation markets.  Chinatec is a long-time Suzo-Happ supplier that will now be part of the Suzo-Happ Group, a portfolio company of Pfingsten Partners, L.L.C.    The Chinatec acquisition provides Suzo-Happ with state-of-the-art Asian manufacturing capabilities, expanded engineering capabilities, and additional capacity to accommodate future growth.

Chinatec manufactures slot machine toppers, reel mechanisms, push button panels, front plate assemblies, sorters, PC boards, coin collection and dispensing systems for gaming and amusement machines, as well as transit fare collection devices.  Chinatec has over 200 employees at its ISO 9001-certified manufacturing facility in Zhuhai, China, and maintains sales and administration offices in Hong Kong and Hamburg, Germany.

Chinatec is the seventh company to become part of the Suzo-Happ Group’s strategic platform.   All seven companies combine to strengthened Suzo-Happ's position as the leading global supplier of amusement and gaming parts and accessories with over 30,000 SKUs, customers in 80 countries, and now more than 600 employees in 14 locations. Pfingsten Partners, a private equity firm with offices in Deerfield, Illinois and Hong Kong, is Suzo-Happ's majority shareholder.

“This transaction assures that we have a high-quality, cost effective manufacturing capability that enables us to service our customers even more effectively,” said Chuck Turnbull, President and CEO of Suzo-Happ Group.  “This is an important step in strengthening our control over our supply chain, maintaining our industry leadership, and enabling us to explore new opportunities for growth.”

“Suzo-Happ has been one of our primary customers for many years, so joining the Suzo-Happ family is a logical step that also positions Chinatec for significant growth,” said Rudi Meyer, Chinatec Director and co-owner of the company.  “We will now have direct access to Suzo-Happ’s administrative, organizational and strategic resources to help shape the company’s future direction.”

The Chinatec transaction closed on October 31.

Harry Levy Amusements has appointed 37-year-old Elliot Reid to its sales department. Elliot, who is married with three children, will be largely focussed on the UK market, with a brief to get out and visit customers both inland and on the coast.

Elliot joins Harry Levy from outside of the industry and has spent the last 14 years selling cars, most recently for Volkswagen. He gained his first taste of coin-op at the recent Preview show and is looking forward to building up his contacts before the challenge of ATEI in January.

"Harry Levy Amusements is a well-known company locally with a great reputation, and I am really pleased to be joining the team", says Elliot.  "The industry is going through an interesting time and I can't wait to start visiting arcades and meeting customers face to face".

"It can be a challenge to find the time to get on the road and see all our customers and this is why we appointed Elliot", adds Gary Newman. "He will be able to keep that close contact that is necessary to ensure we deliver the best possible service and after sales care".

‘Breaking The ICE’, the official party for ICEi 2008, will take place at Chelsea’s Bluebird Bar, 350 Kings Road, London on the evening of Tuesday, January 22^nd, show organisers have announced.

 Clarion Gaming’s Events Co-ordinator, Daniel Wiseman enthused: “ICEi’s successful launch in January 2007, saw a sell out event with remote gaming revellers partying until the early hours. Given the exclusivity of the venue and size, Bluebird was thought most appropriate to host this calibre and number of guests.  The Chelsea venue combines sophisticated design with warm colours and subtle lighting to create a relaxed environment. The Bluebird provides the perfect backdrop for an industry that places a significant value on networking and parties.”

 Tickets for the party, restricted to 750, cost £45 and promise a free bar until late. Head of Exhibitions, Karen Cooke concluded: “‘Breaking The ICE’ promises to build on the impressive success and profile of the 2007 ICEi party. We see the event as a real extension of the ICEi 2007 show floor at a location perfectly resonant with ICEi’s unique personality.”

 Sponsorship packages for ‘Breaking The ICE’ are also available and include a complimentary ticket allocation, advertisement in the official ICEi show catalogue, company logo and description on show website, branding on all event marketing literature and tickets, as well as branding and signage at the event.

For almost 30 years Merit Entertainment has been known for products and innovations that create an unequalled buzz in the casual gaming industry. At the 2007 AMOA Show, Merit lived up to its reputation. Two new products seized the operators’ attention and generated wild excitement – the Megatouch Entertainer, which combines music and games into one Wallette unit; and the Megatouch Firefly, Merit’s portable, wireless, handheld entertainment system (available in 2008).

 "Our company is excited and optimistic about the new suite of Merit products unveiled at the AMOA Show,” stated Tom Green of Blackhawk Music Co.  “The new Entertainer and portable Firefly have many interesting possibilities for previously untapped locations. We look to Merit to consistently think outside the box and bring new and innovative products to the market."

 Megatouch Entertainer

The Entertainer brings nearly 500,000 songs from the AMI network to the Wallette’s 17-inch form factor. No secondary jukebox is required to play music, as every Entertainer links directly to the AMI network and plays its own streaming songs. Additionally, being a Megatouch ION, players will also enjoy access to all of the latest 2008 games, right on the same system. This means that the Entertainer will reach casual gamers as well as music fans, instantly doubling the customer base.

 The audio configuration of the Entertainer is ideal for booth or intimate playback environments, making it possible for operators to put many units in one location to multiply their earnings. The unit sports an improved out-of-the-box sound system, which makes the music crisp and clean. Music levels can be changed on-screen with new player-adjustable volume controls, while the operator can set a maximum and minimum volume range for the system. This ensures that the music from one booth doesn’t overwhelm music from the next, or infringe upon other patrons.

 Merit also offers a Premium Sound System option for the Entertainer, which enables even louder audio than the out-of-the-box system. The Premium Sound upgrade kit mounts easily to the underside of the cabinet, and extends the Entertainer’s audio reach to include cafeterias, offices, schools, or other single-room settings, where a jukebox might be overkill. What’s more, there’s an audio output so an operator can use their own amp or speakers to tailor the Entertainer to fit specific location needs.

 Like all IONs, the Entertainer has built-in wireless networking, so there is no need to run any extra cables. Once a wireless router is set up, the Entertainer is ready to go. It’s fully compatible with the AMI broadband network, so it supports the entire AMI library and all the features that operators have come to expect from AMI.

 Megatouch Firefly

Gigantic buzz surrounded the introduction of the new Megatouch Firefly, Merit’s lightweight entertainment system that can be handheld, arm-cradled, or simply rested on a tabletop. Designed to move as easily as a laptop, this portable, wireless device will open up entirely new ways for operators to generate revenue, as it can be taken to places where current systems can only dream of going.

 Various built-in security advances will ensure that the Firefly is only enabled within a specified area, and the device will alert the location when taken off premises. The Firefly has a long battery life and its base station can charge up to five devices at one time.

 Additionally, the Firefly will contain all of Merit’s games and have the ability to play music. The simple addition of headphones will allow playback of all the music from the AMI library, and the unit can remotely control AMI or TouchTunes jukeboxes.

 “At Merit, we’re always looking for new ways to improve our operators’ ROI and help them grow,” said Colin Higbie, Merit’s Director of Marketing. “With that in mind, innovation is the key. We designed the Entertainer and the Firefly to expand the entire market.”

 For almost 30 years, Merit has ensured long-term return on investment for operators by providing continually high-earning equipment along with updates and upgrades for its products. With an installed base of over 250,000 touch-screen games garnering nearly 4.6 billion plays per year, Merit Entertainment is the worldwide leader in touch-screen entertainment devices. Merit Entertainment products appear globally in a wide array of venues and appeal to an almost limitless demographic. Merit continues to expand its position in the industry with ever-increasing entertainment, content, and new games. The company maintains a Web site with all the latest information at www.meritgames.com

The first official party for London’s International Casino Exhibition, ‘After Dark’, will take place at Adam Street Private Members’ Club, The Strand on Wednesday, January 23rd, organiser Clarion Gaming has announced.

 Clarion Gaming Events Co-ordinator, Daniel Wiseman explained: “If ICE represents three of the international casino industry’s most important days, After Dark is one of the most important nights. The inaugural ICE party offers a chance to discuss business at one of London’s most relaxing and stylish venues. The sheer calibre of Adam Street makes it a fitting venue for this unique and exclusive event.”

 Tickets for ‘After Dark’, restricted to 400, cost £45 and include a free bar until late. Head of Exhibitions, Karen Cooke added: “After Dark’ confirms ICE as the place where you can do business whilst enjoying the company of your friends and guests. Adam Street is the epitome of understated elegance, providing the level of quality and service that ICE guests have come to expect.”

Sponsorship packages for ‘After Dark’ are also available and include a complimentary ticket allocation, advertisement in the official ICE show catalogue, company logo and description on the show website, branding on all event marketing literature and tickets, as well as branding and signage at the event.

Adam Street private members currently include Oscar-winning director Anthony Minghella, Yo Sushi’s Simon Woodroffe and the eponymous Sir Rocco Forte amongst others.