The main issue is Stern doesn't really Manufacture much in the building. They are an assembly company. Companies like Biomet, Zimmer, Paragon, etc actually manufacture the parts they sell. All of which is done in close to a sterile environment. Far from what a pinball factory looks like. I spend a Lot of time in the medical Manufacturing facilities and trust me the only thing Stern could produce is the welcome sign on the front door sorry.

And it would probably chip after the door opens and closes a few times.

Too soon?

What is the acceptable amount of dimpling on a ventilator?

Further, I would think when dealing with potentially life saving (or ending should the worst occur) medical equipment, things are just a 'bit' more stringent?

Ok that is just flat out Funny! Needed a laugh today thanks lol.

I would guess there are Stern people working from home, but the factory will be closed within days if it isn't already. If they had a union it would be closed by now, but the line workers are all temps.

If they had a union games would also cost 80k. lol

Theoretically, yes, assuming Stern has/had the proper quality management systems (QMS) in place for tracking of their product and supply chains. It's just not a quick and easy thing to get that handled. If they already had an ISO framework in place at any level, it would be a lot easier, but I don't believe they have that level of standardization in their production systems. It's an extremely tightly controlled method of building things. This is just for the LEAST stringent level of assembly work, not the kinds of things you'll see in an ICU or operating room. We're talking simple stuff here like blanket warmers and centrifuges. Urgent needs right now like ventilators are going to need proper certification. And implantable devices? Those require a cleanliness very similar to semiconductor work, which is bunny suit and glove boxes kind of stuff.

The biggest hurdle I could see Stern having is putting a system in place for handling corrective actions/preventive actions. They primarily handle consumer goods, and wouldn't be ready for the level of scrutiny. For medical devices at that level you'll see an extensive root-cause analysis for every single failure.

Even then, electronics and plastics tend to see 8-16 week lead times for components easily, for production quantities. If they made the commitment today, it would still be 6 months until they'd be kicking the first samples out the door.

-Hans

Serious question. Did anyone ever find out for sure if the Stern factory is shut down?

I heard they have slowed down but where still making games, getting my jurassic park premium tommorrow so someone is working there.

According to TWIP both Stern and American are shut down from assembling games

https://www.thisweekinpinball.com/this-week-in-pinball-march-23rd-2020/

Spooky was also shut down today although I believe Chuck's family can still work to get the new factory setup.

When Bally, Williams were in Chicago, their machines were Union Made. They were priced competitively.

Not sure aboot Chicago Coin or Gottlieb.....

Love buying old Bally games with the union sticker on the top arch.

It’s shut down according to their phone number

TO OUR VALUED CUSTOMERS AND SUPPLIERS:

In response to the COVID-19 Coronavirus pandemic, Illinois Governor J. B. Pritzker has announced a “stay at home” order for the entire State of Illinois, which will take effect at 5pm on Saturday, March 21, 2020. Being located in Illinois, Stern Pinball is subject to this order. As a result, much of our normal operations will be suspended as of the order’s effective time. Production and Receiving will be closed from the order’s effective date.

We have arranged for many of our employees to work from home. Included are much of our Product Development, Technical Service, Sales/Marketing, and Accounting staff.

We will continue to provide updates based on developments pertaining to the “stay at home” order. We look forward to getting back to complete operations as soon as possible.

We hope all of you are safe and well.

Sincerely,

Gary

Gary Stern
President
Stern Pinball, Inc.
2001 Lunt Avenue
Elk Grove Village, IL 60007-5605 USA

Chicago games note too...

5D1163AB-449B-42EE-8A20-97C9456F702E (resized).jpeg

They copied Stern’s letter and changed a few things.

Can’t say I blame ‘em. Seems like every Covid-19 corporate email I get is written by the same person.

There is a standard form with "insert your company name here" in various places.

Well their entire business is centered around copying old games and changing a few things so...

This. Over the last month, basically every business who has my e mail address has sent me their speech on the virus....

With the exception of my employer, bank, who I have my mortgage with, I just delete them as fast as they can send them.

Too bad it isn't like Md. Non-essential are only closed to the public. They recommend work from home but employees can still work on-site. If over 10 employees, they just recommend keeping distance.

There’s no way to safely run a pinball production line right now safely. It’s a good thing the line has stopped for now.

Sounds like work is still being done at home.

Maryland's idea is terrible. When you have community spread, 6' in the workplace doesn't mean jack shit.

Maybe Sterns next game will actually release with complete code due to all this at home work?

I'm curious about that too. Presumably the software guys need a machine at home to work on, which is not as easy as bringing a laptop home. Stern promised some code updates this month to recent games in the last SOTU, so I'm wondering if they are going to deliver on that still?

A final code update for ACDC would be nice to see during this downtime!

Yes please... Finish the masterpiece!

Agreed. It's pretty useless.

Would be lovely to see Oi Mania fixed

Machines in development were brought home at the end of last week. I don't know which ones.

That news makes me super happy. Cool.