By Rock-Ola
A British games and jukebox entrepreneur, Alexander Walder-Smith, has acquired Rock-Ola, the last authentic American jukebox manufacturing company and one of the world’s most iconic jukebox brands.
Rock-Ola famously inspired the term ‘Rock and Roll’, and has been manufacturing games and jukeboxes since 1927, starting out in Chicago and later moving to California, seen by many as the jukebox’s spiritual home.
Walder-Smith plans to revolutionize Rock-Ola’s market presence by manufacturing a new 45 rpm vinyl jukebox, which will not only feature a powerful state-of-the-art speaker system but also offer music streaming from phones and tablets, thereby representing a unique blend of mid-century styling and 21st century technology.
Walder-Smith has overseen a spectacular period of growth with his British-based luxury games and jukebox business, The Games Room Company. Rock-Ola has been one of his key suppliers as they manufacture the prestigious and instantly recognizable “Bubbler,” with its rotating multi-colored pilasters and ascending air bubbles. Rock-Ola’s pioneering designs have shaped the popular image of jukeboxes over the last 90 years, and the company is now the only authentic American jukebox manufacturer left on the planet.
“The two companies have a shared history dating back decades; The Games Room Company is the official UK retailer of Rock-Ola jukeboxes, and has been selling and restoring vintage jukeboxes since 1962,” said the now-former Rock-Ola owner Glenn Streeter. “With their peerless knowledge of the background and workings of these products, Alexander was a natural choice to take the helm.”
Glenn and Alexander with the all-new Rock-Ola 45 rpm Vinyl Bubbler/Rock-Ola Manufacturing Corporation
Streeter will stay on for the next two years and help expand the company’s range beyond jukeboxes into more home entertainment and recreational room products.
The Rock-Ola purchase has been financed by Vita Nova Hedge Fund, which is managed by the Managing Partners Group.
“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity and I am pleased to be working with Glenn and the long-standing team at Rock-Ola as we take the company towards it centenary,” Walder-Smith said. “This is one of America’s great brands, up there with Harley Davidson and Jack Daniels, and as we move into the exciting next stage, we’ll be dramatically raising its profile across the world.”
He added: “As well as investing in manufacturing we have plans to leverage e-commerce capabilities and digital marketing tactics to reach a global audience online, starting with a new website launch on Shopify technology.”
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See also:
Rock-Ola Nostalgia Jukebox with Introduction from Glenn Streeter by Birmingham Vending,
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Rock-Ola Jukebox Factory Tour: How To Make A Jukebox.
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90 Years Of Rock-Ola With Glenn Streeter.
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Comments welcome.
Posted on July 12, 2019