Aristocrat’s commitment to manufacturing in Macau and promoting local talent has earned the company Made in Macau certification from the government.
At a time when the global COVID-19 pandemic has caused unprecedented disruption to Macau’s gaming industry, leading slot machine supplier Aristocrat has doubled down on its commitment to the Special Administrative Region.
Fifteen years after first establishing its Macau Integration Centre in 2006, Aristocrat this year earned itself official Made in Macau recognition from the Macau SAR Government – a nod to the company’s enduring commitment to basing its regional manufacturing in Asia’s undisputed gaming hub.
“Macau is a small place and we want to invest into the community,” explains Aristocrat’s General Manager – APAC, Lloyd Robson.
“We know as a global company that it’s important to demonstrate our commitment to this community from an economic as well as from a people perspective, so that’s what we want to do.
“Manufacturing in Macau does come with its challenges but we’re grateful that we are in a position as a business to maintain our manufacturing investment for Asia here.
“Our Macau integration centre is a key point of difference for us amongst our industry peers. As industry leaders in this space, it enables us to keep people employed locally and grow some of the local talent. That’s the connection between our people and the Made in Macau certification.”
Issued by the Macau Economic Bureau, Made in Macau certification reflects the creation of real value to the Macau economy by ensuring as much of Aristocrat’s production process is conducted onshore as possible. It is not absolute – by necessity some raw materials are produced overseas – but it does allude to the widespread use of local people and their skillsets.
“We went through a year-long process to highlight our value creation in Macau and we were pleased to ship our first order [with Made in Macau certification] to MGM in August. ”
From humble beginnings back in 2006, the company’s Macau Integration Centre now pumps out up to 50 electronic gaming machines per day with products not only distributed within Macau but also shipped regionally to places like the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea and Vietnam.
But Aristocrat’s commitment to the community is about more than mere production. Promoting local talent is also central to the company’s mission, with 90% of its Macau-based staff classified as Macau locals. Fitting in with the government’s push to provide pathways for its own people, Aristocrat’s long-term ambition is to have a majority of its office staff born and bred in Macau.
The company has also worked hard to fulfil its obligations in supporting and protecting the local community, with more than 90% of staff fully-vaccinated against COVID-19.
It’s a consistent approach taken by the company across the region, with Aristocrat having also expanded its Philippines team this year including investment in locals to complete its service and sales teams.
“We’re all about planting a flag where we operate and working with local talent,” says Robson. “We’re passionate about connecting and investing in people and the wider community.”
Ultimately, Robson explains, it all comes down to prioritizing long-term opportunities over short-term concerns.
“Aristocrat has made this commitment to Macau and our Asian markets in the midst of COVID-19, so we’re planning for the future, not just worrying about the challenges here and now,” he offers.
“It’s all about the prospects we see moving forward and hence why we are making these investments in our business to position it for growth.”
