Coin Machine Review (& Pacific ...)

Issue: 1949 April

--
Service~
Ouality, Low Prices Spearhead
Standard's Amazing Success Story
pancy, receipts from coin radios have also
dropped. About a half-dozen hotels in the
medium-priced bracket have them installed.
Roy S. R amsey
Annual Peanu t Convention
WiII Look For New Markets
WASHINGTON-Market problems relat-
ing to peanuts will get a hearing during the
annual convention of the National Peanut
Council here, April 10 to 12_ The main
theme of the convention will be to increase
the quality of peanuts and to boost con-
sumer demand. Due to the big gains in
exports of peanuts last year, this subject
will also be important.
Leaders in the association are working
for an industry-wide conference this year to
try to get a wider viewpoint of what the
peanut industry wants and needs. Candy
manufacturers have been among the most
outspoken critics of peanut prices in recent
years and their complaints may get a hear-
ing.
The NPC is composed chiefly of proces-
sors of peanuts, the firms that prepare pea-
nuts for sale to supply houses in the cities,
and then to bulk vendor operators.
Blair Holding Corp. Reports
NEW YORK-Financial papers reported
that Blair Holdings Corp., one of the large
corporations having a finger in tbe vending
machine trade, set aside a contingent re-
serve of 500,000 to "provide for any im-
pairment in the investment in Auto-Vend,
Inc., and Crown Jewel Ware, Inc."
In its report to stockholders, the Blair
firm had a net profit Qf $46,000 before
reserves for security depreciation. After
such reserves, however, an operating loss
of 69,000 was ustained, which compares
with "a much greater one in 1947." The
firm has holdings in Pep i-Cola which were
said to have been profitable.
*t
*

Then, there's the one about the two
artist's models who visited an art exhibit.
One suddenly grabbed her friend and,
pointing to a particularly daring canvas,
exclaimed:
"Why, Eleanor, that's a picture of you.
I didn't know you posed in the nude."
"I don't," came the grim reply. "The
rat must have painted it from memory."
- --
OAKLAND- While some bulk vending
machine distributors are wailing about
small profit margin in the sale of bulk mer-
chandise and yowling that operators will
not buy any more new machines, a slender,
dark-haired dynamo is writing an astound-
ing chapter in the Bay Area's success book.
Since the war Bert Fraga, head of tand-
ard Specialty Co., has built the fastest-
growing vending machine and supply house
in tbe West. And what confounds the trade
is that Standard's greatest strides occurred
during the past year when many firms ex-
perienced a decline in busine s.
To appreciate the full significance of The
Fraga Story, one has to start at the begin-
ninl(-1936. At that time Fraga owned a
service station and used car lot, and like
thousands of others he yearned for a bu i-
ness which would not tie him down so
stringently.
Fraga chose bulk vending. He wasn't
looking for a "soft touch," because he knew
that starting any new business venture re-
quire hard work and application.
By 1939 Fraga had built his operation
into a 650 machine route. During tho e
three years of operating he had silently
protested the unsatisfactory service rendered
by distributor, but instead of registering
his protests vocally or in writing, he went
one better: he became a di tributor because
he felt there was a need for a live-wire
organization serving orthern California.
"I suppose I kind of surprised some of
the boys by my methods," Fraga recalls_
"Many outfits were only interested in sell-
ing machine
and merchandise-selling
above all else. Then there were those who
worked 'hot-shot' deals-unload and get out
quick. But as a former operator, I looked at
the situation quite differently. I figured like
this: If I couldn't help the operator make
money, he would buy few machine and
little merchandise from me; neither of us
would make money.
"By the same token, if I could help the
operator place the equipment in good loca-
tions, and sell him top quality merchandise,
WE'VE DONE IT ACAIN!
Always first with the money-makers, Operators Vending Machine Supply
offers bulk vending operators a new, different panned confection now
sweeping the country.
ROSEBUDS
A terrifi c sales stimulator
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ...:.T-=a:;:.st:...ly...:.I---::C~o:..:.lo~rflul! Profitable!
>IV
N .... E 1$
SlMl>UC;ITY!
YOU'LL "NO' ME 1~11O OUT T~E ~I'I VENDOR
BECAUSE AN O!'ERAT~A"D
AN ENG 1 N'EER (. P'fURE~
ME IN T.EIIl DESIGN!
MIGHTIEST OF
A LL
MONEY-MAKERS
$13 95
F.O. B.
lOS ANGElES
$13 45
EA. IN
LOTS OF 100
42
2Sc
lb. (approx. 800 count)
New Type STEEL STAND - $3.95 e a .
Base is hollow- can be fi lle d with sand
o r gravel; super-ch rom e fi nish.
California Ve nd ing ALMO NDS (400
cnt.) 65c lb . 700 cnt. a oc lb. (Vacu-
um pa cke d in 5-lb. ti ns.)
"Ace-Hi REGULAR BALL GUM (125
cnt.) 35c lb. Larg est an d best chew
o n the mar ket.
OPERATORS VENDING
MACHINE SUPPLY CO.
Excl usi ve So uthern California Distri bu tor
for Oa k Mfg . CO.'s ACO RN VENDOR
Pho ne: Richm ond 5264
1023 S. G ran d Ave., Los Ang eles, Ca lif.
he would make a good profit and be able
to buy more machines and merchandise.
And if you give a man a band and keep
helping him, do you think he's going to
turn to someone else for his buying needs?"
Fraga was making good progress when
war clouds burst into Pead Harbor showers.
He enlisted in the air corp and served as
a pilot in a heavy bombardment unit.
Back in civilian life, Fraga picked up
the threads. The first thing he did after
shedding the khaki was to move to new,
enlarged quarters. Then with three lines as
his nucleus-Columbus and Master vendors
and Ideal scales-and Northern California
his territory, he began to roll.
Since then he has expanded both his lines
and territory. He added the Hamilton scale,
Atlas Bantam, Shipman stamp vendors, Vic-
tor's bulk machines and hot popcorn unit,
Caljfornia Peanut's Dux products, French-
fried vend-size Cal Al almonds packed es-
pecially for tandard in the Almond Bowl
of America, charms, panned confections,
ball gum, coin wrappers, coin counters, etc.
One of the reasons for Standard's phe-
nomenal rise is Fraga's uncanny knack of
being able to anticipate operator needs and
then fill those needs by being there first with
the best.
Back in 1942 he felt that operators could
improve the efficiency of their machines
with cast-iron pedestal tands and wall
brackets which would be inexpensive and
sturdy, so he arranged for their manufac-
ture. The accuracy of his perception of the
market is evidenced by the fact that he has
sold over 25,000 of these items.
When the manufacturer ol Star gum
noted the trend toward regular ball gum
and the expanding market offered by adult
customers, Fraga was quick to take on the
distribution of this product because he saw
how it could increase operator profits.
Today Fraga has anticipated another need
- and done something about it. He ha the
distribution of a moisture absorbent prod-
uct for bulk vendors. Placed in the base of
the machine, it absorbs all moisture from
the merchandise and keeps it from getting
sticky or soggy in damp or foggy weather.
The new product, which comes in a circular
disc or bag form, can be placed in an oven
after using, dried, and u ed again.
Until a year ago Standard's sales force
was a one-man organization. Since then,
however, he has hired four energetic sales-
men and enlarged hi territory to cover
Oregon, Washington, and evada, in addi-
tion to orthern California.
Present plans call for continued expan-
sion; in due time Standard Specialty will
provide complete coverage for the 11 West-
ern States.
"Regardless of how wide our territory
eventually becomes or how much our vol·
ume increases, the foundation of this com-
pany will remain unchanged: top service,
superior quality, and low prices will always
prevail."
San Francisco-
Oakland
Don W. Clark is president of Televisco,
Inc., a new corporation specializing in
television for commercial locations. Firm
is orthern California distributor for Trans-
Vue, and will handle all installation and
service on units sold. First sample is due
April 1.
Said Clark: "While we will specialize in
CO IN MACHINE REVIEW
commercial television, we will also continue
in the new and used phonograph business."
A veteran of the radio and electronics field
since 1924, Clark is enthusiastic about the
Trans·Vue television system. He feels that
operators who refuse to face the facts of
television will find that commercial sets in
bars and taverns are here to stay and that
the visual impact of the medium makes it
a "must" for this type of location.
"We are encouraging the operator to
lease the unit to bars on a flat rental basis
under a one or two year contract. The op·
erator will th'en be able to realize a hand·
some profit without having to depend on
coin box grosses."
Leon "Hi·Ho" Silver, who in less than
three short years has built a thriving dis·
tributing business, outgrew his old head·
quarters and has moved to a more spacious
establishment at 540·542 Hayes St., where
he now has a nice display room, complete
facilities for servicing all types of vending
machines, large stock room space for bulk
merchandise, coin·counting room, and
plenty of space for those fast.selling Acorn
vendors. "We really do~'~, n~ed ~uch. shelf
space for those Acorns,
Hl·Ho qUipped,
"because they move out almost as fast as
they arrive."
The newly organized Emarcy Distribut·
ing Co., exclusive Wurlitzer distributors
for this area, boasts of two of the oldest
music men in the business in point of
ervice. M. H. "Rosey" Ro enberg has
been with Wurlitzer for 24 years, while
T. C. "Tim" Crummett has been a Wur-
litzer distributor for the past 15 years.
Both men hail from the Midwest.
The an wer to reduced per-machine bulk
sales is still more machines to increase
over-all volume, according to Ralph Ellis,
local operator. Ellis says that Boston Baked
Beans are No. 1 sellers in his vendors with
Spanish and Virginia peanuts runners-up.
Bill Schetter has resigned from the presi-
dency of Jack R. Moore Co. After a
month's vacation in Palm Springs, he will
return to Northern California and once
again enter the coin game. New officers at
the Moore Co. are: Mrs. Dorothy Moore,
president; Ralph Perin, vice-president; and
John Lauterrett, secretary-treasurer.
Bayings From the Bay Area - Ernie
Brennan, formerly with General Music, is
now specializing in sales and service of
Buckley Track Odds at his new location:
445 Turk Street . _ . Alco Deree's 30-wire
5-10-25c music box, being handled in this
territory by E. T. Mape Distributing Co.,
is now on test location, with deliveries
scheduled by April 1 .. _ Exhibit's Dale
gun is enjoying good sales at Golden Gate
Novelty ... Bob Meyer of San Jose Novelty
visiting local distributors on a shopping
trip.
R. F. Jone Co. has distribution of a new
remote control truck called Drive-It, op-
erated by transformer and electric current.
... Cher-chez la femme is the French way
of saying "look for the woman." In the
case of Standard Specialty it's Mrs. Bert
Fraga who is performing key duties to help
the firm ri e to new pinnacles . . . Roy
Sargis, formerly with Jack R. Moore Co.,
is now one of the Jones boys. He's in the
service department . . . Bally's sensational
Citation, set at 5-ball free play, is keeping
cash boxes red hot in San Jose . . . Wil-
liam Corcoran and wife are enjoying a
90-day pleasure trip in Sou th America ...
Don McClinton is being pleasantly swamped
with orders for Northwestern's Model 49
_ .. R. F. Jones, back from a trip to Salt
Lake and Denver, reports that the Moun-
tain Area is recovering from some bad
problems caused by snow.
APRIL, 1949
Announce Dual Vendor For
Hot Coffee And Chocolate
LOS ANGELES - A dual hot drink
vendor wiII provide a real money-maker for
operators, according to L. H. Kahn, of
Interstate Associates here. The firm is offer-
ing a new dispenser for hot coffee and hot
chocolate, the two drinks served by the
same machine. Trade name for the vendor
is Hot-a-Mat.
Newspapers in the area have given liberal
space to describing the vendor, because of
its unique features. The makers say it
will be in full production in four to six
weeks and that it has the full approval of
the city boards here on health and safety
regulations, known everywhere as the strict-
est regulations in the country.
Vendors may be had for nickel or dime
operation, or a combination of both at no
additional charge, and changers are op-
tional. The machine keeps all syrup con-
centrates under 40 degrees or less refrigera-
tion until the drink is served. Syrup and
hot water compartments are of stainless
steel. When coin is deposited the drink is
served in about five seconds. The firm
furnishes a standard guarantee on its new
vendors. Serving both hot coffee and hot
chocolate in the same device greatly in-
creases its earning capacity, officials state.
I.os Jlngeles
One of the sweetest deals for operators
is being offered by Ace Vending & Dis-
tributing, who are handling the new Victor
Hot-Pop. Non-coin operated, the beautiful
hot popcorn dispenser is placed on location
by the operator, who sells the popcorn to
the location. The operator collects his profit
in advance, thus eliminating all collection
problems_
The ever-popular Jack Dolan is sparking
J. Peskin Distributing Co. as sales manager,
and invites all his friends to drop in and
ay "hello."
Hanson-Loran Chemical Co., manufac-
turers of shuffleboard products in Long
Beach, wiII soon hit the market with two
or three different types of fini h for both
maple and black lop boards. Company
executives report that the new finishes wiII
be harder, faster and more durable than
lacquer and wiII prolong the playing surface
of af\)' shuffleboard.
Bill Happel of Badger Sales recently re-
turned from a Palm Springs week-end,
during which time he sold equipment to
Murphy & Hume Enterprises and Keeney
cigarette vendors to Palm Springs Tobacco
Co.
The fast-growing R. B. Clapp Co., spe-
cialists in electrical, timing, will soon have
complete stocks of A.B.T. Mfg. Corp. and
Automatic Electric Mfg. Co. products in
their Los Angeles office for immediate de-
livery_ "This is another forward step in our
program to give distributors and manufac-
turers in this area the finest service ob-
tainable," says Ralph Clapp, head of the
firm.
1949 is still comparatively young, but
vivacious Mary Sims, manager of Western
Shuffleboard's local office has already ex-
perienced a full year of woe. The Sims
Ailment Chart reads like this: two colds,
two burned fingers, one sprained ankle, and
one strep throat.
A group of San Diego operators have
formed the Coinmen's Club. Now comprised
of 17 members and growing rapidly, the
club was formed around a mutual aid idea.
A specialist in phonograph installations, for
example, lends a hand to a fellow member,
who in turn, reciprocates with one of his
special services.
Lon Garrett, sales manager for C. T.
Girdner Co., worldwide distributor for
Royal Shuffleboard, is now in the East
setting up distributorships_ Until now,
production has only been adequate to take
care of the We t, but with increased output,
the firm is ready to expand its territory.
"With the many exclusive features and with
provisions made for adjustments at 20
different points on the table - assuring
accuracy of the play field from two to five-
thousand ths of an inch-the Royal is defi-
nitely the shuffleboard preferred by opera-
tors who put quality first," Garrett said.
As near a Utopian set-up as any business
can become is being enjoyed by cigarette
operator George Watkins. Watkins sold his
Pasadena route to Harmony Cigarette Serv-
ice and bought a ranch outside Phoenix,
where he continues his cigarette operations.
Recent visitors to Badger Sales show-
rooms include N. Tarpenning, Venice; M.
E. Maltby, Santa Monica; Ivan Wilcox,
Visalia; Harry Perrine, Oceanside; Lela
Smith, Barstow; and Mr. and Mrs. R. A.
Hendricks, Hanford_
A new panned confection-the sweetest
little girl you ever saw-is the latest addi-
tion to the home of Jack Heffner, a sistant
superintendent of Operators Vending Ma-
chine Supply Co.'s pan room. The vital
statistics: date of birth, March 16; weight,
6 pounds, 7 ounces; name, Judith Ann.
Operators from Paso Robles to Mexico
City visited Paul A. Laymon, Inc. the past
month to pick up deliveries on Citation and
Spot Bell. Among them were F_ L. Griffin
and Lloyd Barrett, Pomona; George Licoli,
Ontario; Alex Koleopolus and 1. A. Ewing,
Bakersfield; Al Cicero, Santa Maria; L. E.
Skinner, R. F. Fraizer, W. F. Arbuckle and
E. E. Peterson, San Diego; W. O. Adkins
and Clyde Tru ,Oceanside; Jack Mallett,
Claremont; Frank Walnum, Moro Bay;
C. C. Ellison, Lancaster; Pop Burris,
Montebello; Charles Peddicord, Anaheim;
Pete Shupp, Lynwood; Clyde Denlinger,
Balboa; Roy Jones, Jr., Inyo Kern; Jack
Arnold and Nat Smith, Barstow; E. L.
Willard, Paso Robles; I. V. Gayer, San
Bernardino; William Sparrow, Santa Bar-
bara; William Brad ley, Covina; Floyd
Stover, Fontana; Lawrence Raya, Colton;
and Gilbert Licia, Mexico City.
A. M. Mendez of the Southland Di-
tributing Co. has purchased a horne in Bel
Air and is moving his family here from the
South.
Floyd Knud on, veteran San Joaquin val-
ley operator, passed away suddenly at his
home in Fresno on Feb~uary 20th.
April 4th will be moving day for the
new Southland Distributing Co. when the
new Wurlitzer distributors for Southern
California move to new and larger quarters
at 1128 South Crenshaw Boulevard. At
present the organization is holding forth at
1503 West Pico but is sadly in need of
larger space to properly care for all their
customers' needs_
Co in- Opera ted S c o re board
for Shuffle boards. Fits rig ht ON
the board_ O perated from
either e nd_ Face on Loth sides.
Beau tiful blond cabinet. Priced
right at
$139.50
--SEE--
Paul A. Laymon, Inc.
DISTRIBUTOR
43

Download Page 42: PDF File | Image

Download Page 43 PDF File | Image

Future scanning projects are planned by the International Arcade Museum Library (IAML).

Pro Tip: You can flip pages on the issue easily by using the left and right arrow keys on your keyboard.