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Peter White chats to Harald Wagemaker, Executive Vice President Sales & Marketing of Gaming and Casino EMEA SUZOHAPP
How has 2015 treated SUZOHAPP?
This 60th anniversary year has been tremendously successful for SUZOHAPP. I am proud to say that this is our fifth consecutive year that we are showing strong growth, which is due to our strategy and the great achievements of the entire team. The gaming industry is not growing at this rate. That shows that we are gaining market share through our focus and dedication on innovation and providing the right set of solutions for our customers all around the EMEA region.
The SUZOHAPP Group exhibits at an impressive amount of exhibitions and conferences throughout the year. What has been the feedback from those shows to your product range?
We recognised in a very early stage that especially the local shows and conferences are of the upmost importance to our customers. Hence, we decided some years ago to support them. To us it is first and foremost more about help to create a show that is important to our customers. Second we support all local operators, simply by being present and showing them what is new in the market. We feel that our customers and the market itself appreciate this. Recent proof of our continuous support is the bestowal of the ‘Most Loyal Supplier to the Industry Award’ that we received at BEGE Show in Sofia in November. Another example we are very proud of is receiving the ‘Best Game Accessories and Related Equipment in the Gambling Industry’ at the Casino Inside Gala in Romania in December. The year is certainly ending on a very positive note.
As the global distributor for ELO touch solution what have been amongst the stand out features of their touch screen displays that are behind SUZOHAPP’s choice of supplier for the Gaming industry?
In a word: Quality. Sheer quality is the answer. The Touchscreen market is still underestimated by some that look at pricing only. The level of technology implemented at ELO Touch is of such a standard that no other monitor supplier has been able to come close. Consistency is another great benefit of the ELO Touch monitors. ELO guarantees keeping all sizes and measurements equal to the model they introduced. We have been working together with ELO for well over ten years now. We continue to grow the ELO business due to this focus on quality. For us the great achievement during 2015 was being bestowed with Distributor of the Year Award from ELO Touch for outstanding sales in gaming during 2014.
Which of the wide range of products have been amongst your ‘stand outs’ in sales performance for 2015 and can you provide us an insight into new products for 2016?
We have a great selection of products. If you ask me to single out product groups which are particularly in demand, then I would say monitors, locks, coin acceptors and hoppers as well as our contract manufacturing services. Our new SH1950 Video Topper was the centre of great interest has received great interest at the local Bulgarian show in November and we are excited to see the reaction of our international customers at the ICE. Expect to see further innovations from our the Comestero changers brand. Naturally we will be presenting the latest products and solutions from our partner companies such as ELO and TransAct.
How is the e-commerce side of the company progressing, is the company seeing a steady progression of business transactions generated from your comprehensive website?
We have recently launched the complete update of our European website. It is available in six different languages and the website is clearly structured so that our customers can find what they are looking for as quickly and easily as possible. Our e-commerce side of the business is increasing and we are currently investing to expand the possibilities of online shopping with us.
Will SUZOHAPP develop an App to keep customers up to date with product development parts supply levels as well as their account details?
That is a very good question. We have recently started a study about this opportunity and things look promising. It is highly likely that we shall develop such an App.
The latest topper innovation the SH1950 Video Topper made its exhibition debut during the BEGE Sofia Show in November, what was the reaction of the visitors to this new innovative design?
The reaction has been overwhelming. Many customers have shown interest and quite a few shall use this new topper on their cabinets that they will display at ICE. Obviously it will have a prominent position on our booth as well.
