Royal Shuffleboard
Scores Big Success
WATSONVILLE, Calif.-Last fall C. T.
(Happy Jack) Girdner, veteran coin ma-
chine operator, had an idea-an idea that
has flowered into one of the most amazing
success stories in the Coin Machine Indus-
try and added much prestige to the western
manufacturing industry.
Having heard many reports about warp-
ing and crowning of shuffieboard playing
fields, Girdner decided that on his board
the playing field would not rest on a
wooden cabinet as was customary, but on
an independently supported all-welded
structural steel frame, of which the playing
surface would be an integral part.
Girdner didn't take his board to a cabi-
net shop; instead he went to top flight
personnel of the Aviation Industry and had
his board fabricated in an aviation en-
gineering plant accustomed to manufactur-
ing products to close and exacting toler-
ances.
Result was a board that was permanently
level and free from all distortion and warp-
ing.
"When it came around to marketing my
boards," Girdner said, "I decided I wasn't
going to make the same mistake of many
other manufacturers who were selling poor
quality shuffieboards to distributors, op-
erators, locations-anyway and anywhere
they could. I checked with leading dis-
tributors and found out that these were the
exact ,reasons they didn't want to handle
boards: they would not sell a product which
they could not back up, nor would they
handle a board which the manufacturer
was selling direct to operators and loca-
tions in the distributor's exclusive terri-
tory.
"I decided that the Royal would be sold
only through authorized coin machine dis-
tributors."
The new standards of engineering and
construction built into the Royal, in addi-
tion to its beautiful workmanship, made it
an instantaneous hit with coin machine
operators and distributors.
"We took the Royal back to the CMI
Show," reports Lon Garrett, sales man-
ager for C. T. Girdner Co., "and it posi-
tively stole the show. I turned down or-
ders aggregating 200 boards because it is
contrary to our policy to sell direct to op-'
era tors or through non-authorized distribut-
ors. In addition, we turned down direct or-
ders from two operators in the West who
wanted 75 and 100 boards respectively!"
Garrett added that while many boards
sell on price and not on quality, Royal's
entire program is built around quality.
"Yet," he added, "even with all the plus
features built into the ' Royal-including a
one-year warranty against defective mate-
rial and workmanship-the price of our
board is still competitive." .
Garrett stated that coin machine dis-
tributors are now being lined up to handle
Royal in the East under the same sales
policy prevailing in the West.
Candy Price Reduction
Quickly Boosts Demand
CHICAGO-February news of the candy
trade was sprinkled with news reports of
cuts in candy bar prices by manufacturers,
and firms making price reductions reported
that sales immediately began to climb.
Chase Candy Co. announced a reduction
from 80 to 72 cents per standard 24-count
box. Price reductions have been announced
on Hershey and Nestle chocolate bars; in
fact, reports followed close upon each other,
indicating a trend.
Meanwhile, the official government report
for candy sales in December showed a de-
cline of 8 per cent from December 1947,
and also a drop of 16 per cent below
November sales (for manufacturers).
Natural Color Pies Pep Sales
Appeal of Art Show Machines
LOS ANGELES - The use of natural
color pictures in the Art Show machine
gives it 100 per cent more pulling power,
according to officials of Shipman Manufac-
turing Co. The machine provides five
poses, in third dimension effect, for a
nickel. Officials state that the mechanism
of the viewer is very efficient and ample
stocks are available for prompt shipment.
The firm stresses that this machine, and
the beautiful color films offered with it,
are suitable for adult location!> only. Op-
erators are urged not to place it in loca-
tions frequented by minors. Cocktail
lounges, beer parlors and taverns generally
are recommended as excellent locations.
The Shipman firm maintains full produc-
tion of its stamp vendors and reports that
demand is at a high level. The firm dates
its entry into the stamp vendor field back
to 1934, when the first such vendor with
the firm's label was made. The firm had
made its first coin device in 1932, a peanut
machine. The line of stamp vendors was
advanced in 1942 by adding the triplex
model, and the firm now offers what it calls
the most complete line of machines for
vending stamps.
The Select-A-Bar candy vendor has also
been newly improved and a new produc-
tion run has recently been completed. The
firm made its first Hershey bar vendor in
1936. The present candy vendor has three
compartments and will vend qars of practi-
cally all sizes and shapes, thus offering
good selection.
NEW MACHINES ARE EXPENSIVE!
Western Sh ulfleboard Ups
Production to Meet Demand
LOS ANGELES - Production has been
steadily increased at Western Shuffieboard
Co. to meet accelerated demand for the
firm's black top shuffieboard and new elec-
tric scoreboard, with additional production
lines being added to the plant.
The story of Western Shuffieboard's rise
to the front ranks in the field is a spectac- -
ular one.
"Back in 1947," recounts Jack Mill-
spaugh, head of the firm, "I was trying to
devise ways to keep maple from dispensing
moisture and warping. Finally, in 1948 I
hit upon the black top."
Millspaugh manufactured the board in
San Diego; in October of 1948 he opened
another office in Los Angeles, and in rapid-
fire order built up distribution in 18 states.
"We have consistently striven for qual-
ity," Millspaugh said, "and never try to beat
prices to sell a board." He ,pointed out that
each aluminum leg of the Western is
attached and bolted to the frame by four
heavy bolts and that the one-inch adjust-
ment screw at the base of each leg provides
for easy levelling. The Western playing
field is made of masonite, treated by a
special process so as not to. be affected by
heat, cold or moisture, and is securely
anchored to the frame. The board is
shipped in two pieces, making for mobility
and ease of assembly.
After nine months of testing on location,
Millspaugh has come out with the Western
electric wall type scoreboard. "We could
have jumped the gun and brought our
scoring unit out earlier, but we wanted to
make sure it was trouble-free throughout.
Ours is a moderate priced unit which will
give long months of satisfactory service."
"Custom" Doubles Output,
Adds Electric Scorer
LOS ANGELES - The Custom Shuffie-
board Co. has doubled production to keep
up with the constantly increasing volume of
Custom distributors in the West, and now
as far east , as the Mississippi River.
,
"Our new plant has now been in opera-
tion almost 60 days, and as output is now
equal to monthly production in our original
plant, we are now producing and shipping,
almost double the number of Custom boards
we were prior to January 1," Wayne Wipert,
vice-president of the company, said. "The
unequalled quality and beauty of our maple
top playing surface, with walnut inlays and
the steel anchor braces that prevent
warpage and permit feather edge adjust-
ment makes each Custom shuffieboard sell
another one."
Lee Mitchell, company president, an-
nounced the new Custom electric scoreboard
is being offered to all operators and dis-
tributors on an immediate and unlimited
delivery basis and on an unconditional six
months guarantee.
Make Use 01 the Equipment You Have
DECORATED, PERSONALIZED MIRRORS
WILL GIVE YOUR PRESENT EQUIPMENT THAT
l1eh! Jcck
FOR AS LOW AS $4.40 ON SOME MACHINES
fast waxes
polishing wax
cleaners
weights
Cigarette Macl1ines, Music Cabinets. Hanging Signs, etc.
BURBANK GLASS DECORATING CO.
1828 N. Keystone SI.
Burbank, Calif.
Phone CHarleston 8-4714
48
II
IIUTORSHIPS AVAILABLE
WRITE FOR
PRICES & INFORMATION
Hanson-loran Chemical Co.
5584 Paramont
lone aeach, California
A
COIN MACHINE REVIEW