Bay Tek Games Expects To Complete Skee-Ball Production Transfer This Summer

PULASKI, WI -- Bay Tek Games Inc. said it is on schedule to move production of its Skee-Ball amusement machines to its Pulaski, WI, factory. Bay Tek is expected to shut down Skee-Ball's Chalfont, PA, facility and start up the Skee-Ball game assembly lines by this summer. Bay Tek announced its purchase of Skee-Ball Amusement Games in February. | SEE STORY

"With two months under its belt, Bay Tek Games has been working diligently to begin facilitating Skee-Ball products into its manufacturing facility," said Bay Tek marketing administrator Kylee Treankler. "While nothing has been transferred yet, many employees have made trips to Chalfont, PA, to ensure a smooth transition. Production at Skee-Ball will officially be shut down this summer and Bay Tek will begin taking on production."

Treankler said that Bay Tek is currently "onboarding" five Skee-Ball arcade games into its production facility. They are the company's classic skeeballs in 10-ft. and 13-ft. lengths, along with the Centennial Alley, as well as the Super Shot and Hot Shot basketball games, and the Spin N Win (72" wide) redemption game. Bay Tek will continue to market the popular alley games, which have been arcade staples for 100-plus years, under the Skee-Ball brand name.

Bay Tek is terminating production of Skee-Ball's Tower of Power, Crazy Curves, Strike It Rich and Nothin' But Net, along with the standard 48" wide Spin N Win. The manufacturer said only 14 standard Spin N Wins remained in stock as of mid-May.

As part of the transition, two Skee-Ball executives are joining Bay Tek's staff. Former Skee-Ball president Jeff Hudson joins the sales team, and will focus on business development in the amusement park, carnival and home channels. Skee-Ball technical and parts expert Mike Pantalone has been tapped customer service manager.

Hudson brings a wealth of experience to Bay Tek. He started his career in 1984 at Six Flags, where he managed amusement games. In 1989, he went to work for Vari-Tech International, a midway designer eventually acquired by Skee-Ball. He has managed amusement machines at Dollywood (Pigeon Forge, TN), the Great Escape (Lake George, NY), Blackpool Pleasure Beach (England), Holiday Park (Germany) and Port Aventura (Spain).

Bay Tek said that Pantalone will be another asset. "Mike brings a depth of knowledge about the Skee-Ball product line, past and present, which will ensure that Bay Tek will continue to provide the high level of support expected by Skee-Ball and Bay Tek customers alike," the company said.

Darnelle Simmons, another Skee-Ball alumnus, joined Bay Tek as an account manager in February.