Stern Pinball Appoints Exclusive Germany Importer/Distributor

Stern Pinball Appoints Exclusive Germany Importer/Distributor

Stern Pinball has appointed Bergmann Automaten as its exclusive importer/distributor of the company's pinball machines in the country of Germany. The PLAYBOY pinball machine will be the first Stern product to be promoted by Bergmann.

Bergmann Automaten was founded in 1906 and is now in its third generation under the ownership of Mr. Tjark Bergmann. The company manufacturers German wall payout machines and various money changing systems. Bergmann also imports a wide array of amusement games and has about 220 employees and 14 sales offices throughout Germany. Stern products will be going to all 14 sales offices. Bergmann's head office is located in Rellingen, which is near Hamburg.

Harald Kesting, Bergmann's Entertainment Product Manager, said to the German trade journal, Games & Business Magazine, "The negotiations regarding the new partnership were initiated loosely during the IMA [International Coin Machine Trade Fair] and ATEI [Amusement Trade Exhibition International] shows and have now concluded. The import agreement, therefore, is effective immediately. The first container is already en route." Continues Kesting, "we also know that the MONOPOLY model has already registered an upward trend. And in our estimation, PLAYBOY is even stronger."

While visiting Bergmann last month, Gary Stern added, "We are extremely happy to be working with a company with the long history and experience of Bergmann, and to have Bergmann sell our pinball machines throughout Germany." Kesting takes over as the product manager of pinball machines for Bergmann effective immediately.