# JERSEY MOVES TO ILLINOIS

**Source:** Pinball News Website  
**Type:** article  
**Published:** 2020-02-26  
**Beat:** Pinball

**URL:** https://www.pinballnews.com/site/2020/02/26/jersey-moves-to-illinois

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## Analysis

Jersey Jack Pinball announced on February 26, 2020, a relocation of its entire manufacturing and sales operation from Lakewood, New Jersey to Elk Grove Village, Illinois, consolidating the company's previously split two-center operation. The move merges manufacturing with the existing design and engineering teams in the Chicago area, positioning JJP in the same industrial zone as its major competitor Stern Pinball, and is expected to create approximately 50+ new jobs while improving operational efficiency and cost savings.

### Key Claims

- [HIGH] Jersey Jack Pinball has operated as a two-center business since its founding, with design/software in Illinois (Streamwood, then Bensonville) and manufacturing/sales in Lakewood, New Jersey — _Article states this was the company structure 'ever since the business was founded' and describes historical locations_
- [HIGH] The Illinois operation lacked effective management for some time before Pat Lawlor was appointed to manage it — _Direct statement in article: 'the Streamwood/Bensonville operation without effective management for some time before game designer Pat Lawlor was appointed to manage it'_
- [HIGH] The relocation is anticipated to create 50 or more new jobs in Illinois — _Official PRNewswire press release quoted in article states 'JJP anticipates creating fifty or more new jobs'_
- [MEDIUM] Jersey Jack Pinball's new facility will be located on Greenleaf Avenue in Elk Grove Village, one street over from Stern Pinball on Lunt Avenue — _Article states 'Pinball News believes the new Jersey Jack Pinball factory will be in Greenleaf Avenue, just one street over from Stern Pinball on Lunt Avenue' — characterized as belief rather than confirmation_
- [MEDIUM] The relocation is a result of investor influence to improve company profitability and sustainability — _Article states 'This would appear to be a victory for the investors brought in to help finance the company's ongoing operations' — uses qualifying language 'would appear' and 'victory'_

### Notable Quotes

> "First and foremost, I would like to thank all the employees in Lakewood for their hard work and dedication to Jersey Jack Pinball and the wider pinball industry."
> — **Jack Guarnieri (Jersey Jack Pinball founder)**, PRNewswire statement, Feb 26 2020
> _Official acknowledgment of outgoing Lakewood workforce; notable that founder's tone is diplomatic despite facility closure_

> "This move will allow JJP to remain competitive and efficient in the market. We look forward to creating an exciting, collaborative workplace in Illinois, where we can continue to be pioneers of pinball design, building great games for many years to come."
> — **Jack Guarnieri (Jersey Jack Pinball founder)**, PRNewswire statement, Feb 26 2020
> _Formal rationale for relocation framed around competitiveness and innovation rather than cost-cutting_

> "Keeping control of the two separate locations proved to be far more difficult than expected"
> — **Pinball News (article author/publication)**, Feb 26 2020 article
> _Identifies operational inefficiency as underlying reason for consolidation; suggests previous management challenges_

### Entities

| Name | Type | Context |
|------|------|---------|
| Jersey Jack Pinball (JJP) | company | Premium pinball machine manufacturer consolidating operations from two-center (New Jersey + Illinois) model to single Elk Grove Village, Illinois facility |
| Jack Guarnieri | person | Founder of Jersey Jack Pinball; role in post-relocation company structure unclear per article speculation |
| Pat Lawlor | person | Legendary pinball designer appointed to manage the Illinois operation (Streamwood/Bensonville) to regain control after period of ineffective management |
| Stern Pinball | company | JJP's biggest competitor, also located in Elk Grove Village area (Lunt Avenue); JJP new facility will be one street over on Greenleaf Avenue |
| Elk Grove Village, Illinois | location | New consolidated facility location for Jersey Jack Pinball; industrial hub with significant construction and factory development by ProLogis |
| Lakewood, New Jersey | location | Former headquarters and manufacturing center for Jersey Jack Pinball being vacated in relocation |
| Bensonville, Illinois (formerly Streamwood) | location | Existing Jersey Jack Pinball design and software programming base where operations will consolidate |
| Abbas family (investors) | organization | Referenced in article as 'investors brought in to help finance the company's ongoing operations and develop a sustainable and profitable future' — relocation interpreted as victory for investor interests |
| ProLogis | company | Real estate developer building factory units in Elk Grove Village at high rate, providing industrial infrastructure context |
| Pinball News | organization | Source publication; reporting on relocation and speculating on facility location based on industry knowledge |

### Topics

- **Primary:** Operational consolidation and management restructuring, Jersey Jack Pinball business strategy and investor influence, Manufacturing and supply chain logistics
- **Secondary:** Competitive positioning relative to Stern Pinball, Pinball industry infrastructure and regional clustering
- **Mentioned:** Employment and job creation

### Sentiment

**Neutral** (0.5) — Article is factual and balanced reporting on significant business move. Maintains neutral tone while noting both practical benefits (consolidation, cost savings, job creation) and unresolved questions (founder's future role, pricing impact). No obvious bias toward positive or negative framing; article emphasizes efficiency gains and industry competitive pressures without editorial judgment.

### Signals

- **[business_signal]** Two-center operational model proved unsustainable; Illinois base experienced period of ineffective management before Pat Lawlor intervention (confidence: high) — Article explicitly states 'Keeping control of the two separate locations proved to be far more difficult than expected, with the Streamwood/Bensonville operation without effective management for some time before game designer Pat Lawlor was appointed to manage it'
- **[business_signal]** Investor influence driving consolidation strategy; relocation characterized as 'victory for the investors brought in to help finance the company's ongoing operations' (confidence: medium) — Article statement: 'This would appear to be a victory for the investors brought in to help finance the company's ongoing operations and develop a sustainable and profitable future in an increasingly-competitive market'
- **[business_signal]** Jersey Jack Pinball consolidates two-center operation into single facility in Elk Grove Village, Illinois, directly adjacent to Stern Pinball headquarters (confidence: high) — Official relocation announcement confirms move from Lakewood, NJ to Elk Grove Village, IL with facility believed to be on Greenleaf Avenue, one street from Stern's Lunt Avenue location
- **[market_signal]** Consolidation move expected to generate cost savings, though impact on game pricing remains uncertain (confidence: medium) — Article states company 'emphasises the expected cost savings from combining their two operations under a single roof. Whether that will result in reduced prices for current and upcoming titles, or will instead provide a surer financial footing for the company remains to be seen'
- **[personnel_signal]** Uncertainty about founder Jack Guarnieri's continued role post-relocation; article speculates whether he will move to Illinois or take reduced management role (confidence: medium) — Article directly states: 'There is no news about whether Jersey Jack Pinball's founder, Jack Guarnieri, or other members of his family employed by the company will be moving to Illinois too, or if this is an indication he will be taking a reduced role in the company's management now their base has moved 825 miles east. His job title is not referenced in the press release.'

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## Transcript

Date:
26th February, 2020

Ever since the business was founded, Jersey Jack Pinball has been a two-centre operation, with the design and software programming taking place at the company’s Illinois base – initially in Streamwood but latterly in Bensonville – while purchasing, manufacturing and sales were based at their main headquarters in Lakewood, New Jersey.

![Jersey Jack Pinball's Lakewood factory](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/news/jersey-jack-pinball-relocates/01-jersey-jack-pinball-relocates.jpg)

Jersey Jack Pinball’s Lakewood factory

Now, the company has decided to ditch its New Jersey operation and moved the whole company to a new facility in Elk Grove Village. And if that name sounds familiar it’s because that’s also the home of their biggest competitor, Stern Pinball.

Keeping control of the two separate locations proved to be far more difficult than expected, with the Streamwood/Bensonville operation without effective management for some time before game designer Pat Lawlor was appointed to manage it and regain that lost control.

Now, the Jersey Jack Pinball’s manufacturing and sales are to be merged with the game and software design in their new Elk Grove Village operation.

![The manufacturing operation at Lakewood](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/news/jersey-jack-pinball-relocates/02-jersey-jack-pinball-relocates.jpg)

The manufacturing operation at Lakewood

This would appear to be a victory for the investors brought in to help finance the company’s ongoing operations and develop a sustainable and profitable future in an increasingly-competitive market.

There is rampant construction taking place in the city, with ProLogis building new factory units at an impressive rate. There is no confirmation of exactly where in Elk Grove Village the company will set up, but Pinball News believes the new Jersey Jack Pinball factory will be in Greenleaf Avenue, just one street over from Stern Pinball on Lunt Avenue.

A press release from Jersey Jack Pinball thanks the Lakewood staff for their hard work, but emphasises the expected cost savings from combining their two operations under a single roof. Whether that will result in reduced prices for current and upcoming titles, or will instead provide a surer financial footing for the company remains to be seen.

There is no news about whether Jersey Jack Pinball’s founder, Jack Guarnieri, or other members of his family employed by the company will be moving to Illinois too, or if this is an indication he will be taking a reduced role in the company’s management now their base has moved 825 miles east. His job title is not referenced in the press release.

Here’s how Jersey Jack Pinball announced their impending relocation through the PRNewswire service.

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| CHICAGO, Feb. 26, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Jersey Jack Pinball (JJP), creator of premium pinball machines, will relocate its manufacturing operations from Lakewood, New Jersey to Elk Grove Village, Illinois, bringing fabrication into greater synergy with the design and engineering teams currently based in Bensenville Illinois, where JJP anticipates creating fifty or more new jobs. “First and foremost, I would like to thank all the employees in Lakewood for their hard work and dedication to Jersey Jack Pinball and the wider pinball industry.  Their contributions are greatly appreciated,” said Jack Guarnieri. “This move will allow JJP to remain competitive and efficient in the market.  We look forward to creating an exciting, collaborative workplace in Illinois, where we can continue to be pioneers of pinball design, building great games for many years to come.“ Jersey Jack Pinball (JJP) is the industry leader in quality and technical innovation, creating groundbreaking pinball machines for seasoned players, collectors, and newcomers to the game.  Designed and manufactured in the United States, JJP’s state-of-the-art games are conceived on a foundation of pinball’s rich history and engineered with an unflinching eye toward its future. |

We’ll have more news from Jersey Jack Pinball and details of their new Elk Grove Village home very soon here at Pinball News.

_(Acquisition: raw_text, Enrichment: v1)_

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*Exported from Journalist Tool on 2026-04-13 | Item ID: 20199c58-02fd-415e-ab48-2258cbdd9083*