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ARA

companyactive21 mentionsFirst seen Feb 16, 2016Last seen Aug 15, 2023

Profile

ARA is a contract manufacturer involved in pinball machine production, with a significant business relationship and legal history with Dutch Pinball. The company initially served as a former manufacturer for Dutch Pinball but became embroiled in a dispute over production costs that proceeded through litigation. After winning a court case, ARA transitioned to a partner role in Dutch Pinball's restructured production plan, indicating a resolution of their earlier conflict.

Aliases

No aliases

Relationships

  • affiliated_withBarryBarry involved in court proceedings and restructured Dutch Pinball with ARA after Yart's departuremedium

Facts

No facts recorded

Claims (7)

  • factualhigh

    ARA contract manufacturer produced approximately 95 Big Lebowski machines under initial arrangement

    Source: Host CraigThe Pinball Show Ep 135 BONUS: Dutch Pinball - Past, Present, & Future
  • factualhigh

    ARA won litigation against Dutch Pinball over pricing disputes

    Source: Hosts Craig and ZachThe Pinball Show Ep 135 BONUS: Dutch Pinball - Past, Present, & Future
  • factualmedium

    Big Lebowski machines from Ara have been sitting in boxes for approximately 2 years due to Dutch Pinball payment issues

    Source: Ken CromwellFNO Pinball Ep 11: Willy Wonka Pinball Machine
  • opinionlow

    ARA's strategy against Dutch Pinball is protraction to exhaust legal resources and force bankruptcy rather than good-faith settlement

Recent Mentions (21)

  • Manufacturing partner to Dutch Pinball; won lawsuit against Dutch Pinball; will cease production support within 1-2 years

    Episode 134 – Jurassic DeathballsSep 12, 2019
  • Original manufacturer of Big Lebowski pinball; in legal dispute with Dutch Pinball over unpaid machines; allegedly held machines hostage over pricing

    Episode 2 - Around the pinball industryJul 2, 2018
  • Manufacturer contracted by Dutch Pinball; litigation settled; held inventory and parts; involved in original manufacturing dispute

    Episode 67 - Screw Me Once...Aug 27, 2019
  • Netherlands-based contract manufacturer engaged by Dutch Pinball to produce initial Big Lebowski run (~95 units); involved in pricing dispute and litigation with Dutch Pinball, which ARA won

    The Pinball Show Ep 135 BONUS: Dutch Pinball - Past, Present, & FutureAug 15, 2023
  • Successor to Dutch Pinball, lacks funding to repay early backers; relationship with Dutch has deteriorated, limiting manufacturing options

    Episode 48 – Humongous BolusJun 22, 2017
  • Chinese manufacturer/distributor; held Big Lebowski inventory for ~2 years due to Dutch Pinball non-payment; now reselling to recover losses

Contradictions

  • Existing: Involved in lawsuit with counterclaim over production costs (Episode 44)vsConflicting: Won court case and became partner in restructured production plan (Episode 100)
    Resolved
    kept_existing · Mar 2, 2026
  • Existing: Former contract manufacturer for Dutch Pinball (Episode 44)vsConflicting: Contract manufacturer for Dutch Pinball; won court case; now partner in restructured production plan (Episode 100)
    Resolved
    accepted_new · Mar 2, 2026

Related Glossary Terms

No linked glossary terms

Source: Jonathan HoustonPinball Industry News: July 2018 Re-cap
  • factualmedium

    ARA has approximately 40 completed Big Lebowski machines sitting in warehouse

    Source: Dennis from Dutch Pinball webinarEpisode 38 - Hey E3 Over!
  • factualhigh

    EU law requires manufacturers to provide replacement parts for pinball machines for minimum ten years after manufacture

    Source: Erik Wildenbeest statementTHE BIG LEBOWSKI FACTORY TOUR
  • factualhigh

    Ara manufacturing facility is composed of multiple specialized sub-companies handling different manufacturing aspects

    Source: Article introductionTHE BIG LEBOWSKI FACTORY TOUR
  • FNO Pinball Ep 11: Willy Wonka Pinball MachineJul 16, 2019
  • Manufacturing partner to Dutch Pinball; holds partial design rights to Big Lebowski; contract dispute over payment

    episode 14. at the table or what will we talk about? (1)Jul 22, 2018
  • Contract manufacturer that designed and built Dutch Pinball's bowling alley mechanics and board sets; holds 40 games in inventory

    Episode 51 – Alex JonesJul 13, 2017
  • Dutch/European contract manufacturer responsible for Big Lebowski production; in dispute with Dutch Pinball over contract terms and payment

    Episode 38 - Hey E3 Over!Jul 2, 2017
  • Contract manufacturer for Dutch Pinball's Big Lebowski; in ongoing negotiations with no resolution yet as of Friday meeting

    Episode 34 - Bowen Brings BusinessMay 7, 2017
  • Storage facility (factory) where Big Lebowski parts were previously stored; Dutch Pinball plans to potentially source PCBs and sheet metal work from ARA

    Episode 96 - Direct ClearSep 9, 2019
  • Former manufacturer hired by Dutch Pinball; held games/parts in warehouse; settled with Dutch Pinball

    Episode 95 - NoAug 25, 2019
  • Manufacturing/logistics partner involved in lawsuit with Dutch Pinball; holds Dutch Pinball inventory and unfinished machines; won court case against Dutch Pinball

    Episode 92 - Zombie TBLsJul 15, 2019
  • Contract manufacturing company in Aalten, Netherlands, producing The Big Lebowski machines; composed of multiple specialized sub-companies

    THE BIG LEBOWSKI FACTORY TOURFeb 16, 2016
  • Former contract manufacturer for Dutch Pinball; involved in legal dispute; suggested settlement meeting after August; Martin speculates ARA wants to liquidate stock rather than resume production

    Pinball Industry News: July 2018 Re-capAug 2, 2018
  • Contract manufacturer that produced Dutch Pinball games; withheld machines pending payment resolution; resolved August 2019

    Pinball Industry News: August 2019 Re-capAug 31, 2019
  • Dutch contract manufacturer based in Aalten; handled PCBs, sheet metal, and assembly for Big Lebowski; experienced 60-80 year old company; demanded €1,000+ per-unit price increase; filed lawsuit in late 2017 for unpaid invoices and parts inventory.

    Bonus Podcast: Dutch Pinball - Past, Present and FutureSep 3, 2019
  • Contract manufacturer with Dutch Pinball; dispute settled in July 2019

    Pinball Industry News: July 2019 Re-capAug 1, 2019
  • Legal opposing party in dispute with Dutch Pinball; court-ordered to mediate before proceeding to verdict

    Episode 78 – News News News!!!Feb 4, 2019
  • Contract manufacturer for Dutch Pinball; won court case; now partner in restructured production plan

    Episode 100 – The 3 StoogesJul 15, 2019
  • Former contract manufacturer for Dutch Pinball; involved in lawsuit with counterclaim over production costs

    Episode 44 – Michael Bowyer from AMD: Stern’s Australian distributorMay 21, 2018