English company to supply casino props for new Bond film

Casino Royale - 12-05-06

A Potteries roulette wheel and casino table manufacturer has landed a blockbuster role to supply props for the latest James Bond film, Casino Royale. Workers at TCS John Huxley, which employs around 40 people at Festival Park, say the firm has been contracted to produce goods for the film starring blond Bond Daniel Craig.

Details of the contract have remained under wraps, although the company is responsible for making equipment for casinos including Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas and the Belaggio - where heist film Ocean's Eleven was set - reports The Sentinel

A worker, who did not wish to be identified, said: "We are the world leader in the manufacture and supply of casino equipment. We have been commissioned to manufacture the equipment for the new James Bond film, Casino Royale."

The worker said the staff at Festival Park were responsible for making equipment used in casinos worldwide.

Last May the company provided equipment for the Wynn gaming resort in Las Vegas.

It also supplied all gaming tables, including poker, craps, baccarat and illuminated roulette tables for the IP Hotel and Casino, the first casino to reopen in New Orleans after the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina last year.

Reports have said the Bond film will also feature the new Aston Martin DBS, bulldozers made by New Holland, and Bond will be filmed playing poker using cards made by Belgian-based Carte Mundi.

However, spokesman for TCS John Huxley declined to comment on either any contract or about the latest film.

In December 2003, The Sentinel reported how the company relocated its distribution and manufacturing operations to Festival Trade Park and planned to take on an extra 40 people.

At the time, the company said the Festival Park operations were geared up to produce about 600 roulette wheels a year as well as a portfolio of other gaming-related products.

Anne Bennett, marketing director of London-based Eon Production, which has overseen the production of every James Bond film, also remained tight-lipped.

Speaking from Prague where production is taking place, she said: "We will not comment until after the launch of the film."

Casino Royale is due for release in November.

Graham Bowen, co-founder of Shelton-based film-production company Bomark Films, said the James Bond franchise was one of the most powerful platforms on which to promote products.

Mr Bowen said: "Not as many people had really heard about Aston Martin cars until James Bond drove one; the same happened with the Lotus.

"If you can get a film association with Bond then it can be massively beneficial. It's one of those deals where companies are willing to pay to get their products on board."

Richard Grisdale, creative director of Stoke advertising agency Grisdale Lesniak Swann, said: "There's a lot of cynicism about product placement, but it is great news if the company has been approached to supply products to the film. The only difficulty is that a roulette table is not as immediately recognisable as an Aston Martin. They would need some expert advice to capitalise on the profile."

Thanks to `David` for the alert.

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