# CHURCHILL CABINET COMPANY TOUR

**Source:** Pinball News Website  
**Type:** article  
**Published:** 2016-11-04  
**Beat:** Pinball

**URL:** https://www.pinballnews.com/site/2016/11/04/churchill-cabinet-company-tour

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## Analysis

Pinball News toured the Churchill Cabinet Company factory in Cicero, Chicago, which manufactures cabinets, backboxes, and playfields for major pinball manufacturers including Stern, Jersey Jack, and Raw Thrills, as well as producing games under the Chicago Gaming Company brand (Medieval Madness remake, Arcade Legends). The article documents the complete manufacturing process from wood routing and cabinet assembly to screen printing and clearcoating, highlighting the company's decades of experience and operational confidence despite the chaotic appearance of the factory floor.

### Key Claims

- [HIGH] Churchill Cabinet Company acquired Lenc-Smith playfield maker from Williams in 1996 — _Doug Skor, VP of Business Development, direct statement during factory tour_
- [HIGH] Churchill manufactures cabinets, backboxes, and playfields for Stern Pinball, Jersey Jack Pinball, and Raw Thrills — _Article states 'Making cabinets, backboxes or playfields for other game manufacturers such as Stern Pinball, Jersey Jack Pinball and Raw Thrills is the bulk of their work'_
- [HIGH] Churchill Cabinet Company began as a furniture maker before pivoting to arcade cabinets during the video game boom — _Doug Skor explained company history: business transitioned from furniture to arcade cabinets for Namco and Midway_
- [HIGH] Modern pinball cabinet interiors use black laminate instead of spray-painted black, which is etched by routing for better adhesion — _Article explains manufacturing technique: 'Previously the interior of pinball cabinets would have been sprayed black – usually quite roughly – but they now have a black laminate which is etched away by the routing machine'_
- [HIGH] Playfield artwork uses CMYK screen printing process with additional layers for white and specialty colors — _Article describes screen printing process: 'The artwork is traditionally printed using a CMYK process which has additional layers added to print white or other specific colours'_
- [HIGH] A significant number of playfields are rejected during quality inspection for wood flaws or routing defects — _Article notes: 'Once they have been routed they are examined for any flaws in the wood or in the routing. This produces a surprising number of rejects'_
- [HIGH] Chicago Gaming Company was expected to announce a second remake title at Pinball Expo but the announcement did not occur — _Article closing section: 'Finally, we were expecting Chicago Gaming Company to announce their second 'remake' title at Pinball Expo, but for various reasons that announcement didn't take place'_

### Notable Quotes

> "Making cabinets, backboxes or playfields for other game manufacturers such as Stern Pinball, Jersey Jack Pinball and Raw Thrills is the bulk of their work."
> — **Pinball News article (Doug Skor explanation)**, N/A
> _Confirms Churchill's role as critical supply chain partner for major manufacturers_

> "Previously the interior of pinball cabinets would have been sprayed black – usually quite roughly – but they now have a black laminate which is etched away by the routing machine to improve adhesion when other wooden parts need to be glued to the panel."
> — **Pinball News article**, N/A
> _Documents manufacturing process evolution and quality improvement technique_

> "There's no question that before the clear layer is added, the finish of the playfield is very dull and lifeless. The clearcoat brings it alive, making the colours far more saturated and vibrant as well as providing protection to the artwork."
> — **Pinball News article**, N/A
> _Emphasizes importance of clearcoat finishing in final playfield appearance_

> "To an outsider it might all seem slightly chaotic, but the company has been building cabinets, backboxes and playfields for decades and know their stuff."
> — **Pinball News article**, N/A
> _Highlights Churchill's decades of experience as competitive advantage_

### Entities

| Name | Type | Context |
|------|------|---------|
| Churchill Cabinet Company | company | Cabinet, backbox, and playfield manufacturer for major pinball manufacturers; acquired Lenc-Smith in 1996; located in Cicero, Chicago |
| Chicago Gaming Company | company | Brand under Churchill Cabinet Company umbrella producing pinball remakes (Medieval Madness) and video games (Arcade Legends) |
| Doug Skor | person | Vice President of Business Development at Churchill Cabinet Company; served as tour guide for Pinball News factory visit |
| Stern Pinball | company | Major pinball manufacturer using Churchill for cabinet, backbox, and playfield manufacturing; games mentioned include Metallica, Ghostbusters |
| Jersey Jack Pinball | company | Boutique pinball manufacturer using Churchill for manufacturing |
| Raw Thrills | company | Arcade game manufacturer using Churchill for cabinet manufacturing |
| Lenc-Smith | company | Former Williams-owned playfield maker acquired by Churchill in 1996; facility now serves as Churchill's Cicero location |
| Williams | company | Historical pinball manufacturer; sold Lenc-Smith to Churchill in 1996 |
| Northern Plastics | company | Supplier of playfield inserts to Churchill Cabinet Company |
| Pinball Expo | event | Annual pinball industry event in October; Churchill prepared for and expected Chicago Gaming Company announcement (which did not occur) |
| Namco | company | Video game manufacturer that purchased arcade cabinets from Churchill during video game boom era |
| Midway | company | Arcade game manufacturer that purchased cabinets from Churchill during video game boom |
| Medieval Madness | game | Classic pinball game being manufactured as remake by Chicago Gaming Company at Churchill facility |
| Metallica | game | Stern Pinball game; code name 'James'; playfield manufacturing visible at Churchill factory |
| Ghostbusters | game | Stern Pinball game manufactured by Churchill; used in clearcoat testing demonstration |
| The Walking Dead | game | Pinball game; screens visible at Churchill factory during tour |
| Star Trek | game | Pinball game; screens referenced during tour |
| Transformers | game | Pinball game; playfields visible at Churchill factory |
| Rolling Stones | game | Pinball game; playfields visible at Churchill factory |
| Arcade Legends | product | Video game cabinet multi-game console produced by Chicago Gaming Company at Churchill facility |

### Topics

- **Primary:** Manufacturing process and supply chain, Cabinet and playfield production techniques, Screen printing and artwork application, Churchill Cabinet Company business model and history, Quality control and materials
- **Secondary:** Chicago Gaming Company remake releases, Pinball industry supply chain dependencies, Manufacturing equipment and processes

### Sentiment

**Positive** (0.8) — Article presents Churchill Cabinet Company favorably as experienced, confident, and well-established manufacturer. No critical issues raised; tone is informative and appreciative of company's expertise and industry role. Slight humor about factory conditions (wood dust, chaotic appearance) but framed as evidence of active production rather than criticism.

### Signals

- **[manufacturing_signal]** Churchill maintains significant production capacity with dual hydraulic cabinet presses operating simultaneously and continuous screen printing/playfield production (confidence: high) — Factory tour documented dual cabinet presses operating back-to-back and extensive drying racks for playfield inventory
- **[manufacturing_signal]** Stern Pinball uses internal code names for unreleased games (Metallica code name is 'James') to manage secrecy during manufacturing (confidence: high) — Photo caption: 'Stern now use code names for their games – James is Metallica'
- **[manufacturing_signal]** Shift from spray-painted to black laminate cabinet interiors with routing etching for improved adhesion represents process modernization (confidence: high) — Article explains technique change: 'Previously the interior of pinball cabinets would have been sprayed black – usually quite roughly – but they now have a black laminate which is etched away by the routing machine'
- **[announcement]** Chicago Gaming Company failed to announce expected second remake title at Pinball Expo for unspecified reasons (confidence: high) — Article closing: 'Finally, we were expecting Chicago Gaming Company to announce their second 'remake' title at Pinball Expo, but for various reasons that announcement didn't take place'
- **[product_concern]** Significant playfield rejection rate during quality inspection, with rejected units accumulating in factory storage (confidence: high) — Article notes: 'This produces a surprising number of rejects, all of which are stored in the Churchill Cabinet Company factory, although Doug said they would one day get around to clearing them out'
- **[supply_chain_signal]** Churchill Cabinet Company manufactures components for Stern Pinball, Jersey Jack, and Raw Thrills, making it critical supply chain infrastructure for major manufacturers (confidence: high) — Article states: 'Making cabinets, backboxes or playfields for other game manufacturers such as Stern Pinball, Jersey Jack Pinball and Raw Thrills is the bulk of their work'
- **[technology_signal]** Manufacturing process testing underway for clearcoat formulations to optimize playfield finish quality and color saturation (confidence: high) — Article describes Ghostbusters playfield clearcoat testing: 'While we were visiting, some tests were taking place on different mixes of clearcoat. A Ghostbusters playfield had been cut in four and different levels of clear were tried on each part'

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## Transcript

Prior to the start of Pinball Expo in October this year, Pinball News was fortunate enough to visit the Churchill Cabinet Company factory in the Chicago suburb of Cicero to see how they make many of the playfields, cabinets and backboxes used in modern pinball machines. ![The Churchill Cabinet Company factory in Chicago](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/chicago-cabinets/1a.jpg) The Churchill Cabinet Company factory in Chicago Our guide was Doug Skor who is Vice President of Business Development at the company, and he began by relating how the Churchill Cabinet Company began, as the name suggests, by being a furniture maker. The business changed as cheaper, mass-produced furniture became the norm and the video game business took off, requiring the manufacturing of thousands of arcade cabinets for companies such as Namco and Midway. The video bubble burst, of course, but pinball has remained a steady business for the company, and they bought playfield maker Lenc-Smith from Williams in 1996. In fact the building we were visiting at 4616 W. 19th Street in Cicero was the former Lenc-Smith facility. ![The Churchill Cabinet Company factory in Chicago](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/chicago-cabinets/2a.jpg) The Churchill Cabinet Company factory in Chicago Churchill not only makes pinball and video game cabinets and playfields, they also sell a range of complete games under the Chicago Gaming Company brand. This includes the remake of the Medieval Madness pinball and the Arcade Legends video multi-game console. ![Home to the Chicago Gaming Company as well](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/chicago-cabinets/3a.jpg) Home to the Chicago Gaming Company as well The company’s core business of building cabinets and playfields hasn’t changed greatly over the years, and upon entering the building it is apparent not much has changed in the reception area either. The wallpaper, carpet and sofa could all bear witness to the rollercoaster fortunes of the coin-op business since the ’60s. Walking into the factory we were immediately faced with numerous boxes of completed games awaiting shipment. Medieval Madness remakes made up the majority but there were Arcade Legends games as well, with everything – and this is a theme we shall return to throughout the factory – coated in a fine layer of wood dust. ![Boxed completed games](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/chicago-cabinets/4a.jpg) Boxed completed games ![Medieval Madness remakes](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/chicago-cabinets/5a.jpg) Medieval Madness remakes ![Arcade Legends video games](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/chicago-cabinets/6a.jpg) Arcade Legends video games Walk inside a little further and the view changes from complete games to assembled components and finally to the constituent parts. ![Medieval Madness remake backboxes](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/chicago-cabinets/7a.jpg) Medieval Madness remake backboxes ![Decals being applied to video game cabinets](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/chicago-cabinets/8a.jpg) Decals being applied to video game cabinets ![Ms. Pac-Man and Galaga combo cabinets](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/chicago-cabinets/13a.jpg) Ms. Pac-Man and Galaga combo cabinets Of course building the cabinets and backboxes for the Chicago Gaming machines are only a part of the company’s business. Making cabinets, backboxes or playfields for other game manufacturers such as Stern Pinball, Jersey Jack Pinball and Raw Thrills is the bulk of their work. ![Stacks of pinball cabinets ready to ship to a local pinball manufacturer](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/chicago-cabinets/9a.jpg) Stacks manufacturer As we walk further through the factory – it’s quite deep – we pass the playfield and cabinet panel routing areas. ![A Metallica playfield on the router](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/chicago-cabinets/15a.jpg) A Metallica Pro playfield on the router ![Stern now use code names for their games - James is Metallica](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/chicago-cabinets/16a.jpg) Stern now use code names for their games – James is Metallica One thing you quickly marvel at is the sheer quantity of plywood sheets around the factory – some plain, some cut and some routed. ![Stacks and stacks of wood](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/chicago-cabinets/14a.jpg) Stacks and stacks of wood Previously the interior of pinball cabinets would have been sprayed black – usually quite roughly – but they now have a black laminate which is etched away by the routing machine to improve adhesion when other wooden parts need to be glued to the panel. The outer face is treated and spray-painted wood as printed decals adhere better to that than to a laminate. ![Stacks of cut video game cabinet sides and pinball bottom panels](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/chicago-cabinets/17a.jpg) Stacks panels ![Where the bottom panels are made](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/chicago-cabinets/18a.jpg) Where the bottom panels are made ![Pinball cabinet bottom panels](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/chicago-cabinets/19a.jpg) Pinball cabinet bottom panels ![Just one stack of many](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/chicago-cabinets/20a.jpg) Just one stack of many Pinball cabinet side panels are first cut from a larger sheet and then routed to produce the interlocking grooves, the flipper button holes, the screw holes and etched where mounting blocks will be glued and screwed to the side. ![Cutting the side panels](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/chicago-cabinets/60a.jpg) Cutting the side panels ![The side panels are routed on this machine](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/chicago-cabinets/58a.jpg) The side panels are routed on this machine ![A finished side panel](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/chicago-cabinets/59a.jpg) A finished side panel ![Front panels are produced in the same way](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/chicago-cabinets/22a.jpg) Front panels are produced in the same way ![The it's time to put them all together](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/chicago-cabinets/23a.jpg) The it’s time to put them all together The actual method of building a cabinet looks a little ramshackle but it’s a tried-and-tested technique which has produced countless tens of thousands of pinball games. The front, back, bottom and side panels are glued and interlocked before going into a giant hydraulic cabinet press which applies pressure to form a complete and very solid base cabinet. ![The cabinet press](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/chicago-cabinets/24a.jpg) The cabinet press There are actually two cabinet presses here back-to-back, allowing two cabinets to be made at once. ![The cabinet forming area](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/chicago-cabinets/25a.jpg) The cabinet forming area The playfields, meanwhile, continue on a separate line. ![Routing the playfields](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/chicago-cabinets/57a.jpg) Routing the playfields Once they have been routed they are examined for any flaws in the wood or in the routing. This produces a surprising number of rejects, all of which are stored in the Churchill Cabinet Company factory, although Doug said they would one day get around to clearing them out. ![Reject playfields](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/chicago-cabinets/26a.jpg) Reject playfields ![Reject playfields going back to NBA, Elvis, Monopoly and Wheel of Fortune](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/chicago-cabinets/27a.jpg) Reject Fortune ![Playfields for Transformers and Rolling Stones](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/chicago-cabinets/28a.jpg) Playfields for Transformers and Rolling Stones If you are wondering where all this wood comes from, the factory stores large stocks of Russian Birch – a name given to the type of wood whether or not it comes from Russia. ![Stocks of Russian Birch](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/chicago-cabinets/36a.jpg) Stocks of Russian Birch ![Stocks of Russian Birch](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/chicago-cabinets/37a.jpg) Stocks of Russian Birch Those playfields which pass muster move on to the inserts room where every insert is hand glued and knocked into position. Boxes and boxes of inserts from Northern Plastics form the walls of the insert room. ![Boxes of inserts](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/chicago-cabinets/30a.jpg) Boxes of inserts ![Inserting the inserts into a Metallica playfield](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/chicago-cabinets/31a.jpg) Inserting the inserts into a Metallica playfield ![Affixing the inserts needs glue - lots of glue](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/chicago-cabinets/34a.jpg) Affixing the inserts needs glue – lots of glue ![After and before](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/chicago-cabinets/29a.jpg) After and before ![More insert-complete playfields](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/chicago-cabinets/33a.jpg) More insert-complete playfields ![Doug with some insert-complete playfields](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/chicago-cabinets/32a.jpg) Doug with some insert-complete playfields If there are any imperfections, the playfield is sanded to level everything before it move on to have artwork screen printed on it. ![Sanding down a playfield](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/chicago-cabinets/56a.jpg) Sanding down a playfield Once a playfield is checked and passed it moves on to the screen printing room where the individual inks are applied by hand, one-by-one. The artwork is traditionally printed using a CMYK process which has additional layers added to print white or other specific colours not adequately reproduced by CYMK inks. Each ink requires a separate screen to be made. A screen is a semi-porous sheet which allows the ink to pass through in varying amounts in specific areas. Churchill don’t make the screens themselves, so before a screen is used it is verified in the screens room. ![Checking the screens](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/chicago-cabinets/51a.jpg) Checking the screens ![The multiple screens for various games](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/chicago-cabinets/53a.jpg) The multiple screens for various games ![Screens for Ghostbusters, The Walking Dead and Star Trek](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/chicago-cabinets/54a.jpg) The multiple screens for various games ![A The Walking Dead playfield without the magenta ink](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/chicago-cabinets/52a.jpg) A The Walking Dead playfield without the magenta ink Once the screens are approved, they are used to print playfields. ![A Ghostbusters cyan screen is primed with ink](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/chicago-cabinets/46a.jpg) A Ghostbusters cyan screen is primed with ink ![A Ghostbusters playfield with magenta and yellow ink is picked and placed under the screen](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/chicago-cabinets/44a.jpg) A Ghostbusters playfield printed screen ![The ink squeegee is slid down the playfield](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/chicago-cabinets/48a.jpg) The ink squeegee bar is slid down the playfield to spread the ink ![The freshly inked playfield is removed to dry](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/chicago-cabinets/49a.jpg) The freshly inked playfield is removed to dry ![Drying racks for playfields](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/chicago-cabinets/41a.jpg) Drying racks for playfields ![Medieval Madness playfields drying](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/chicago-cabinets/45a.jpg) Medieval Madness playfields drying Once all the ink layers have been screen-printed and the inks have cured, the playfields head off to be clearcoated. ![Ghostbusters playfields being clearcoated](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/chicago-cabinets/50a.jpg) Ghostbusters playfields being clearcoated Due to the noxious fumes we weren’t allowed in the clearcoating area, but we could see the results which looked very impressive. ![Clearcoated playfields drying in racks](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/chicago-cabinets/55a.jpg) Clearcoated playfields drying in racks Once the playfield is checked an approved, it is labelled and put in a shipping rack for the journey to the pinball factory. ![Finished playfields](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/chicago-cabinets/35a.jpg) Finished playfields While we were visiting, some tests were taking place on different mixes of clearcoat. A Ghostbusters playfield had been cut in four (yes, we know) and different levels of clear were tried on each part. There’s no question that before the clear layer is added, the finish of the playfield is very dull and lifeless. The clearcoat brings it alive, making the colours far more saturated and vibrant as well as providing protection to the artwork. ![A Ghostbusters playfield cut in four](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/chicago-cabinets/38a.jpg) A Ghostbusters playfield cut in four ![The four parts are sprayed with clearcoat](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/chicago-cabinets/39a.jpg) The four parts are sprayed with clearcoat As we headed back to the front of the building and the end of our tour, we grabbed a few more pictures of cabinets being built at the factory. ![More video cabinet sides with the ever-present wood dust](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/chicago-cabinets/61a.jpg) More video cabinet sides with the ever-present wood dust ![Building video cabinets with The Wizard of Oz pinball cabinets in the back](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/chicago-cabinets/62a.jpg) Building back ![Building Arcade Legends video cabinets](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/chicago-cabinets/63a.jpg) Building Arcade Legends video cabinets Finally, we were expecting Chicago Gaming Company to announce their second ‘remake’ title at Pinball Expo, but for various reasons that announcement didn’t take place. ![Building Arcade Legends video cabinets](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/chicago-cabinets/10a.jpg) Once final look at the Churchill Cabinet Company factory floor Huge thanks to Doug for taking time out from his Pinball Expo preparations to show us around the factory and explain its inner workings. To an outsider it might all seem slightly chaotic, but the company has been building cabinets, backboxes and playfields for decades and know their stuff. As we have seen with other companies, not having that kind of experience can lead to problems with the quality of the product. Meanwhile Churchill Cabinet / Chicago Gaming seem very relaxed and confident about the future. After all, while new pinball entrants bring technological advances and novel game designs to the pinball-buying masses, every game needs a cabinet, a backbox and a playfield.

_(Acquisition: raw_text, Enrichment: v1)_

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*Exported from Journalist Tool on 2026-04-13 | Item ID: 737f9104-19b2-44bd-b5d2-b3a9fa0601cb*