Fleetwood showed latest gaming gear April 14-15
Montana gaming machine manufacturers have been likened to the PT boat of World War II sea battles: nimble and fast, darting between and around the more lumbering battleships and aircraft carriers analogous to the giant national and international industry manufacturers.
Well, Fleetwood Manufacturing out of Billings is more like a fleet (no pun intended) of PT boats, scurrying in multiple but coordinated directions while almost impossible for competitors to lock onto in order to send some salvos their way.
The company launched the quite successful proprietary Keno King about seven years back, and quickly followed that up with the Gen II Casino King series which featured full suites of both keno and poker games. The Brilliant Bet game series was already in development as the Casino King gained traction and a reputation for reliability, popularity among casual and serious players and daily earning power. Brilliant Bet was released in April, 2008.
Since those major developments, the company has introduced a whole series of new games and upgrades with more player features and fun bonus rounds. Graphics, animation, audio and other aspects have seen a constant path of upgrades along with more operator options.
Even dramatic changes and improvements in cabinet design and player ergonomics have been developed and introduced.
This is a company that has seen plenty of adversity but has exhibited an unwavering—and demonstrated—commitment to success over more than 20 years in the Montana video gaming machine business.
April 14 and 15, the company hosted its 2009 Product Showcase at its headquarters in Billings. Plenty of food and beverage was available so the hungry or thirsty customers circulating the showroom were completely satiated. This included a prime rib breakfast on April 15—just like Fleetwood to pursue the unconventional.
The company also organized technical training classes that day.
The Montana Tavern Times stopped by and got re-acquainted with a number of our Billings licensee friends, and better acquainted with the Fleetwood heads responsible for business management, sales and machine development.
Thom Propp, who had served as Fleetwood general manager for the better part of the last decade, departed in November to work for Town Pumps' gaming division. Pat Rabold was promoted from human resources manager to general manager, but is relying heavily on Art LaGaly who heads up the sales operation, and Brian Duval who is director of game development.
Company owner Jon Dehler is once again taking a more active role in company affairs, even as he continues to build the commercial lighting company he launched two years ago and to operate a group of casinos located across the state.
The company still vends its own routes, too.
"We're more focused than ever," Dehler said. "We're also having more fun than ever. We're totally re-energized," he said of the company's nearly 40 employees.
Rabold, LaGaly and Phillips each spent some time with the Tavern Times reporter last month to tell us about the games recently approved, those already submitted to the approval process and those nearing submission.
No grass is growing under the feet of these gentlemen. Both the Casino King and Brilliant Bet platforms are in line for a continuous series of upgrades.
LaGaly says the company's objective is "to continue to develop highly entertaining games with profitability for owners. We're helping licensees draw and keep customers. And Fleetwood differentiates itself with the value added services we provide Fleetwood machine operators: business strategies and planning support, promotions and advertising, employee training and more."
Duval said, "We're not stopping. We're building our game library continuously."
Rabold concluded, stating, "I have all the respect in the world for Thom Propp as a person and for the job he did. He left huge shoes for us to fill. It will take a group effort and that's exactly what we're doing."
Source: The Montana Tavern Times, May 2009, published monthly by Continental Communications, 125 W Granite, Suite 102, Butte MT. 59701