Dallmeier pounces on U.S. market, opens HQ in Fla.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.--Dallmeier, a German video technology company, moved stateside in January to provide customer service and support to its North American client base. Dallmeier entered the U.S. distribution channel in 2001 and worked with a New York distributor to sell products to about 20 integrators in the casino and banking markets. However, "Over the years, we figured out that the distance didn't work out so well, and we decided to move ourselves over to the U.S.," said Andy Birchner, vice president of sales. Birchner said that having a U.S. presence propelled the company, which began in 1984 with headquarters in Germany, in a new direction. The market strategy is quite different here than in Europe, Birchner said. For instance, Dallmeier partnered with Pixim, of Mountain View, Calif., to roll out a camera line that uses Pixim's imaging system chip. Birchner said this is a trend that will continue: "We will bring out different specific cameras as add-ons to our systems." The firm ensures that its customers are well versed in its technology by offering technical workshops, which will be held at the Fort Lauderdale office. A satellite office in Colorado has been set up for a casino accounts manager, as well as one in Chicago for the director of sales. Birchner said the company is considering opening an office in Las Vegas with a dedicated showroom, to be followed by an office in the Northeast. "We will establish our contacts through the decision-makers of the market and integrators," he said.