The idea for Homepin came from an initial thought to build a custom, one-off pinball machine as a bonding exercise between my son and I about eight years ago. The concept was thrown around between us but nothing really eventuated – not as a pinball machine anyway.
As I investigated further I saw a need for certain replacement boards and so started making these. I now have a wide range of pinball replacement boards that is expanding all the time.
My importing business in China was also expanding and my son decided to move to China to help but he eventually started his own graphic design business in Guangzhou. His business now has a staff of over 30 and he has some very large contracts with European companies designing their packaging and manuals. He also writes, illustrates and prints text books for Chinese kindergartens. Grant is a very accomplished freehand artist. I will post some of his artwork done over previous years in this post (the reasons for posting his drawings will become obvious later in this story).
Over this past year I have seen probably the most activity in pinball since I was first involved in the industry back in 1979. The resurgence of interest has been spurred on by better titles and other players such as JJP entering the market. I have also seen first hand at places like Pinfest just how much general interest pinball is again generating and this encourages me.
I felt that I had more to offer and looked at my credentials. I am a trade qualified electronics engineer of over 30 years. I am by nature, an inventor, winning the Peoples Choice award on ABCs The New Inventors (in fact I put my occupation as "Inventor" on the immigration departure form when I leave the country). I have extensive “hands on” experience in the amusement industry. I have eight years experience in China having my own office and staff and several different small facilities over the years. This is a HUGE learning curve all on its own as anyone who has had anything to do with China would agree I'm sure.
I started thinking about the manufacture of a machine and what it would take to achieve. I have the knowledge & skills and also the contacts and connections needed to establish a full production line in China. I believe (right or wrongly I guess) that I can do things better than “the others” - there are certain things I believe do NOT belong in a pinball machine and other things that are so poorly made I just shake my head when I see them, both mechanically and electronically. Those who have seen and used my Homepin products will already know that I only accept the best.
The only missing piece was a suitable theme.............I studied many forums, taking on board the comments made by people and also had a few brainstorming sessions with some close friends both in the pinball community and from outside it. I decided on a theme I consider will appeal to a very large range of people from all age groups and I set about finding out how to acquire the licence. This is no mean feat I can assure you but it seems after six months of negotiations I am almost ready to part with a very large chunk of cash and sign on the dotted line.
Just this week all of the separate pieces of this very complex puzzle have fallen into place.
I won't reveal exactly what that theme is until I have the signed agreement in my hands but I have to say I'm pretty excited. Now to set up a factory – this will cost plenty. I have tipped in quite a substantial amount to get the ball rolling (pun intended). Where the balance will come from, we will have to see? I have no idea at this stage but I'm sure it will happen.
One point I must clarify here is that I would like nothing more than to set up a manufacturing facility and make the machines in Australia. When I crunched the numbers with rent, labour and the “over the top” expense of doing business in Australia I calculated that a machine would have to sell for around $12K and that killed off that idea. Manufacturing in Australia is DEAD – full stop!
The very first thing that I will offer is going to be the worlds first, full size, commercial pinball machine KIT because I really believe in this project as a perfect Father/Son bonding exercise and I hope it will be supported by the pinball community.
All of this will mean I probably won't have the time to annoy so many of you in the near future on the forums (thank God I hear some sighing) and I invite members to visit my Shenzhen factory when I have it up and running (by arrangement naturally).
Watch this space for an announcement on the theme VERY soon..................
