February 19, 2008

AVS East Plans Clifton, NJ Grand Opening Fête On March 6

CLIFTON, NJ — AVS East has announced that it will host a grand opening gala and ribbon-cutting ceremony at its facility here on March 6. The bash will start at noon and continue until 6:00 PM.

The distributorship, established in January 2006 by American Vending Sales (Elk Grove Village, IL), moved from temporary quarters to its own building last fall.

AVS East is a full service coin-operated amusement and vending distributor serving New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. Its new 15,000-sq.-ft. building is located at 1 Austin Place in Clifton, strategically situated near arterial highways west of the Meadlowlands Sports Complex. Sales activities are led by Tom Faranda (music and games), Bob Greer (vending), and the Operations Manager is Rob Gallagher. The new headquarters includes a complete service facility and has a staff of 10.

The event will spotlight AVS East’s lines, which include equipment for office refreshment service as well as money handling systems. It offers operators the opportunity to speak with factory representatives in a relaxed atmosphere enlivened by cocktails and hors d’oeuvres.

The distributorship presently represents All State Manufacturing service bars, condiment stands and area treatment, Fastcorp, Royal Vendors, Savamco and U-Select-It vending equipment; Coin Acceptors, Conlux and MEI payment systems; Advanced Manufacturing Corp.’s customer service communications station; coffee brewing equipment by Necta (Brio) and Grindmaster.

Its music and amusement lines include American Alpha, Arachnid, Andamiro, Benchmark, Brunswick Amusement Machines (BAM), BayTek, Bob's Space Racers, Bromley, Champion Shuffleboard, Chicago Gaming, Coast to Coast, Deltronics, Design Plus, Five Star Redemption, Global VR, Incredible Technologies, JVL, Kiddie Rides USA, LAI, Namco, PokerTek, QubicaAMF, Rock-Ola Manufacturing, Sega, Skeeball, Smart Industries, Stern Pinball, TLC, TouchTunes, Tidel, Triotech, Triton, Unique Billiards, Valley-Dynamo and Wurlitzer.

Operators and other industry friends planning to attend the grand opening are urged to respond by February 29 by calling (862) 208-1200, ext. 101, or faxing to (973) 667-1201.

November 2, 2007

Elk Grove Village, IL – American Vending Sales hosted its annual Post-AMOA open house on October 25, 2007 at it’s Chicago area office. The Hawaiian themed show, titled “Ride the Wave,” brought together manufacturer representatives and customers from all parts of Illinois. “We would really like to thank our customers, and the factory reps, for taking the time to attend our show,” expressed Vince Gumma, President of AVS. “We understand the demands on your time, and we are happy to be able to bring you all of the newest games in one setting.”

Over 275 street operators, FEC owners, and other members of the coin-op community attended the annual event. “I was quite pleased to see the operators with smiles on their faces, all the while with positive attitudes towards the new products being introduced into the market,” commented Mike Rudowicz, President of the AAMA, “ I wish for other operators to have a similar up-beat attitude while attending other nation-wide open houses.”

“There was a very good crowd,” said Charles Caplan of Play Time Toys. “The industry was well represented.” Customers were able to meet face to face with sales representatives and learn about the new equipment in a hands-on environment. Gene Brogowski commented, “I especially appreciate that the operators that attended were there to learn. “It was a valuable opportunity to be able to walk them through the program from start to finish,”  added Joe Sladek, CEO of Skee-Ball, “I was pleased with the turnout of operators, they were very enthusiastic. It was a great time.”

The showroom at AVS was transformed into a Hawaiian luau complete with Polynesian food, palm trees and a tiki hut bar. “We had an excellent show again this year. Our open house is always a collective team effort, and I am extremely proud of our sales staff,” said Tony Shamma, AVS Vice President of Music & Game Sales. “Thank you to all who attended, our manufacturer partners, and most importantly our operator family.” More than 80 pieces of equipment were displayed from 40 manufacturers and suppliers. “Open houses these days are few and far between, but every year AVS continues to outdo their last one. Due to the fabulous efforts of the AVS staff this is definitely one of the premier open houses in the industry,” said Tom Siemieniec, “Great products, good food, and a great turnout always make for the right ingredients to a successful show.”

For the first time, a technical seminar was also held in the AVS warehouse for QubicaAMF Highway 66 and Bowlingo bowling lanes the morning of the show. Representatives from FEC’s around the country attended the seminar to receive a refresher course in the complete maintenance of the equipment. Due to the extremely high interest in this seminar, AVS will be holding another session in the near future.

AVS has always been proud to have successful, long lasting relationships with their suppliers, and feels a job well done should be recognized. During the open house, AVS honored 5 individuals who have committed themselves to success of the coin-op industry. Darren Decatoire of JVL as well as Kathy Pelot, Tad Mauro, and Pat McMullan of TouchTunes were awarded the Supplier Appreciation Award in recognition of their commitment to excellence and customer service. Dan Clarton of TouchTunes was given the Rock Star Award to honor him for his years of service to TouchTunes, AVS and the coin-op industry.

Always a popular element of the annual open house, AVS again held a raffle for open house attendees with the prizes donated by the suppliers. AVS would like to thank the following companies for participating in the Ride The Wave Prize Raffle: American Changer, Andamiro, Arachnid, Bay-Tek, Benchmark, Coast to Coast, Coastal Amusements, Family Fun Companies, Firestone Financial, Incredible Technologies, JVL, LAI, MEI, Namco, OK Manufacturing, Play Time Toys, Pokertek, Raw Thrills, Redemption Plus, Sega, Skee-Ball, Smart, Stern, TouchTunes, Triotech, and Valley-Dynamo.

October 30, 2007

AVS East Moves Into New Facility


Clifton, NJ – AVS East announced today that they have moved to their new home in Clifton, NJ. “We are now settled into a building that we own and are ready to continue providing the best in sales and service to our customers,” said AVS President Vince Gumma. “We have been warmly received by the customers here and we look forward continuing to build these relationships.”

AVS East is a full service coin-operated amusement and vending distributor serving New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. The new 15,000 square foot building is located at 1 Austin Place, Clifton, NJ 07014. For more information, contact AVS East at 862.208.1200.

September 17, 2007

American Vending Sales is holding it's first Highway 66 Mini Bowling Service School on Thursday, October 25th from 10am to12pm.

If you are looking to purchase the Highway 66 product, this will give you the opportunity to play, see how the unit works and discuss how this attraction will best fit into your location and generate great revenue. If you already own the Highway 66 product, you may want to have your technician/technicians trained/retrained on the operational maintenance of the lanes. This is your opportunity! There is no cost to you for this service school.

From noon to 6pm on the same day, AVS is holding their Annual Post AMOA Open House/Amusement Expo where the latest video and redemption games will be displayed, and manufacturer reps will be available to to answer any questions you may have. Every year this event gets BIGGER and BIGGER and there is no exception this year! Come see a whole line of new equipment and enjoy the festivities!

July 3, 2007

JVL's iTOUCH9 PLUS - NEW JERSEY APPROVED - AVAILABLE NOW THROUGH AVS EAST

TORONTO - JVL Corporation, leading manufacturer of touch screen amusement games is pleased to announce that effective June 25, 2007 iTouch9 PLUS has been approved by the State of New Jersey under the following exception numbers:

Retro: JVL iTouch9+ v1.oc2 Exception No.54
Vortex: JVL iTouch9+ v1.oc2 Exception No. 61
Orion: JVL iTouch9+ v1.oc2 Exception No. 62

JVL is thrilled to be able to bring such proven hits as Gone Fishing, BonBon Factory, Zoozle, and Double Quiz to the shores of New Jersey. The last major release for New Jersey was in September 2002 with iTouch5. The NJ program will be available exclusively through American Vending Sales East, located in Clifton, NJ.

"We are elated to have a distribution partner that has demonstrated a willingness to embrace our products. AVS has done an exceptional job in Illinois, and we look forward to their continued success in New Jersey," said Peter Guterres, CEO.

"This is what we've all been waiting for. A proven product that has been highly anticipated by East Coast operators," stated Tony Shamma, VP of Music and Game Sales for AVS.

"JVL offers the best product line to come out in the 28-years I have been in the business, and I am proud to offer these products to the East Coast," said Tom Faranda, Branch Manager of AVS East.

TOUCHTUNES TEAMS UP WITH AMERICAN VENDING SALES

TouchTunes Music Corp. has appointed American Vending Sales (AVS) as its distributor for much of Illinois, including the Chicago metropolitan area and neighboring northwest Indiana. "TouchTunes is clearly the number one choice of operators across the country," said Vince Gumma, president of AVS. "With their newest technology, they're going to put even more distance between themselves and the others."

Based in a 65,000-square-foot facility in Elk Grove Village, Ill., near O'Hare International Airport, AVS employs nearly 100 people. The company has been an amusements and music distributor for 35 years." They are the premier distributor in the territory, and we're delighted to have them on our side," said Dan McAllister, TouchTunes' senior VP for sales and marketing.

AVS teamed with TouchTunes after declining to renew its distribution agreements with another supplier, whose terms "severely restricted AVS's ability to offer competing products," Gumma said.

In a letter to his operators, Gumma expressed his opinion that customers should have "the opportunity to see and evaluate products that might better fit their needs or offer a higher return on investment."

ELK GROVE VILLAGE, IL – On October 12, 2006 over 200 attendees strolled into American Vending Sales (AVS) for their annual Post-AMOA Open House. This year’s theme, Boogie Nights, provided a high-energy atmosphere where customers enjoyed a full bar and buffet, and tried out new products from over 40 manufacturers. “It was the finest open house I have ever attended,” declared Don Pesceone, VP of Sales for Incredible Technologies. “AVS does a wonderful job of picking themes, and bringing in the people.”

Despite an earlier-than-usual Chicago snowstorm the morning of the show, the attendance was record breaking. “We were extremely pleased with the turnout,” raved Vince Gumma, President of AVS. “Operators had a chance to see the newest equipment available for the fall buying season” Gordon Smart of Smart Industries added, “I was pleasantly surprised at the great turnout. It was like the first Sunday at the State Fair!” According to Joe Bundra of Valley-Dynamo, “American Vending hosted one of the best Open Houses I have attended. Customer attendance was first rate. Operator response to the Great 8, Metro Coin and Stacker was top-notch. With a combination of great people, super deals, and good food, along with their '70s Boogie Nights theme, fun was had by all.” 

Manufacturers took advantage of this face time with Chicagoland operators to educate them on their new equipment. AVS also offered special pricing and incentives to customers who placed orders at the show. “We understand that the market is not what it used to be,” said Tony Shamma, Director of Music & Games Sales. “That’s why we feel it is important to give our valued customers an opportunity to save money when it is needed most – the fall buying season.” There were more than 70 pieces of the newest coin-op equipment on the show floor. “Every new piece available was displayed,” commented Jolly Backer of Stern. “It was very impressive.” Broderick Norkus of Rowe stated, “AVS has once again shown their commitment to their operators and manufacturers by providing a relaxed environment for both to come together and discuss not only current products and services but also the latest developments.”

AVS has always been proud to have successful, long lasting, loyal relationships with their customers, suppliers and employees. During the open house, AVS honored 4 individuals who have committed themselves to success of the coin-op industry. Norb Meunier of King Pin Games was awarded the Hardest Working Man in Coin-Op award. His son, Chris, accepted the award on his behalf as Norb was, of course, working. Leo Finn, who has been with AVS for 20 years as a Music & Games Salesman, was awarded the Shining Star Award for his dedicated service to AVS and the coin-op industry. Joe Bundra of Valley-Dynamo and Bob Lisic of MEI were awarded the Supplier Appreciation Award in recognition of their commitment to excellence and customer service.

All attendees were winners though, as every year, AVS holds a raffle for open house attendees with the prizes donated by the suppliers. This year, two lucky customers left the show winners of brand new redemption games. Scott Vogt of Sports Arcade Vending won a Silver Falls game, donated by Grand Products, while Dave Bandyk of Shamrock Amusements received a Sega Game Show. AVS would like to thank the following companies for participating in our Boogie Nights Prize Raffle: American Changer, Arachnid, Bay-Tek, Benchmark, Bob’s Space Racers, Coast to Coast, Coastal Amusements, Face Place, GFX Construction, Global VR, Grand Products, HMS Monaco, ICE, Incredible Technologies, JVL, Kahuna, MEI, Merit, Namco, OK Manufacturing, Qubica-AMF, Raw Thrills, Redemption Plus, Rowe, Sega, Skee-Ball, Smart, Stern, Triotech, Unique Billiards, and Valley-Dynamo.

July 21, 2006

LAKEWOOD, NJ AVS East - “We are pleased to announce the expansion of our product offering with the Valley-Dynamo line up of table games and amusement equipment,” stated AVS East President, Vince Gumma. “Valley Dynamo has consistently provided product innovations that earn more money for our customers.”

June 28, 2006

LAKEWOOD, NJ, AVS East announced today that they have increased their sales force, adding vending veteran Bob Greer. Having been in the vending industry for 17 years, the last 7 in equipment sales, Greer brings his experience to the company’s Lakewood, NJ office.  

Greer, who was most recently with National Vendors, will be handling all vending customers in AVS East’s territory. “We are very pleased Bob has decided to join our East Coast team,” said Vince Gumma, president of AVS East. “Our vending operators will benefit from his vast product knowledge.”

Customers can contact Bob Greer at 973-573-0414.

AMERICAN VENDING SALES PURCHASES WORLD WIDE DISTRIBUTORS' ASSETS

CHICAGO, American Vending Sales this week executed an agreement to purchase the assets of Worldwide Distributors for an undisclosed amount effective March 14. AVS hired nearly all eligible WWD staff, and WWD assets are being transported to AVS headquarters. World Wide president Fred Skor first joined the industry in 1949; he and his wife Kitty are retiring. The genial Skor, whose 77th birthday is today, remains a vigorous tennis player; he says he now plans to work very hard at being a man of leisure. AVS founder and president Frank Gumma, Sr., saluted Skor for his long service, expressing gratitude that World Wide chose AVS to wind up its business. Gumma added that his team is "looking forward to being able to serve our customers even better for many years to come."

December 10, 2003

IT APPOINTS AVS, RENEWS GREEN COIN

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL -- Incredible Technologies, makers of "Golden Tee Golf" and "Big Buck Hunter" video games, reached a new distribution agreement this week with American Vending Sales, based in Elk Grove Village, IL. AVS becomes an IT distributor effective immediately. IT executives cited the dealer's expertise and experience as key assets that will help extend market penetration and support its products in the field. Additionally, IT renewed its sales relationship with Green Coin, an equipment distributor based in Myrtle Beach, SC.

September 17, 2003

States Director of Sales for Sega (Ron Malinowski), we are happy to expand our relationship with the fine American Vending organization. “In today’s ever changing market it’s refreshing to see expansion and effort.”

Adds company topper Rick Rochetti we’ve enjoyed working with American Vending Sales for many years here in the Midwest. “We look forward to taking their high level of professionalism and integrity out East and broadening our products reach.