GGRAsia – Chris Rogers exits Transcity for own ventures

Chris Rogers exits Transcity for own ventures

Oct 22, 2014 Newsdesk Industry Talk, Latest News, Macau, World

Chris Rogers, senior vice president of sales and marketing for casino services firm Transcity Group APA, a Suzo-Happ Group company, is leaving to pursue other business interests.

Those interests include FabSmart Co, a business registered in Thailand and Macau and set up in 2009 by Mr Rogers and Wayne Stevens, who respectively have 20 and 22 years of experience in the casino gaming industry.

FabSmart created and manufactures – via a new facility in Thailand – the successful Fast Action Baccarat live table game (pictured) deployed in Sands China Ltd’s Venetian Macao casino.

Mr Rogers is also founder and director of 113 East Lda, a Macau-based company established in 2007.

113 East has grown from a one-man business focused on casino technology distribution, to a firm that now has a strong operations division with over 400 gaming machines located in five different regions of Asia, said Mr Rogers.

Following his move from Transcity, the gaming executive plans to expand 113 East’s core operations in gaming equipment distribution and consulting work.

Mr Rogers told GGRAsia: “I am looking forward to focusing on 113 East and FabSmart full time. Both businesses have grown substantially. Having achieved the goal of building Transcity Asia then helping to secure an acquisition partner for it in the Suzo-Happ Group, the time is right for me to drive 113 East and FabSmart into the future.”

“Transcity is in good hands with Suzo-Happ and I am confident the quality of management and staff will ensure the company achieves many successes in the coming years,” he added.

“From the day I stepped out on my own, it’s been bloody hard work and not without its challenges. I feel I have learnt a lot from the many good and bad experiences and will take this knowledge with me as I drive my own businesses to the next level.”

Transcity Group said in a statement: “Chris was instrumental in building Transcity Asia and co-leading the efforts to ensure the company was acquired by the right suitor. Although he will remain close to the company and his many friends and colleagues he will be missed. Nonetheless he has left a strong legacy.”

“We wish him all the best with 113 East and FabSmart and look forward to working with and supporting him in the future,” it added.

Suzo-Happ is a global supplier of gaming, amusement, vending, industrial, transportation and retail products. It is owned by U.S.-based Acon Investments, a Washington, D.C. private equity investment firm with more than US$2.5 billion of capital under management.