Pinball Manufacturers: Homepin

Founded in 2013 by Australian electronics engineer Mike Kalinowski, Homepin entered the amusement industry with a completely different business model than the rest of the boutique pinball market. Rather than building ultra-expensive, highly complex premium machines in the United States or Europe, Homepin set up a dedicated, from-scratch manufacturing facility in Shenzhen, China.

Before they even launched a full pinball machine, Homepin established a massive footprint in the arcade community by manufacturing high-quality replacement Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs). By reproducing essential hardware for aging Williams and Bally solid-state machines, Homepin became a crucial supplier for restorers and arcade operators worldwide.

When it came time to build their own full-scale machines, Homepin’s mission was clear: create affordable, reliable, traditional DMD-style (Dot Matrix Display) pinball machines that average collectors could actually afford to put in their homes. By sourcing and manufacturing everything in-house in China, they bypassed the massive supply-chain costs of their Western competitors.

While they may not chase the wildly complex, multi-level playfields of companies like Stern or Jersey Jack, Homepin serves a highly specific and vital role in the modern market. By providing affordable entry points for new collectors and supplying the backbone of replacement electronics for the classic pinball hobby, Mike Kalinowski’s Chinese factory remains a fascinating and enduring chapter in the global pinball story.