The establishment of a playing card manufacturing facility in Macau “represents a strategic addition” to Cartamundi group’s global network. That is according to Jason Pearce, managing director of Cartamundi Asia Pacific (pictured, left), in comments to GGRAsia.
“While we do not disclose specific capacity figures, its scale is significant and designed to be flexible, with the ability to ramp up production under various scenarios to meet both local demand in Macau and international demand,” Mr Pearce said.
He added: “This flexibility reinforces our close-to-market strategy and strengthens supply-chain resilience for casino operators.”
The facility, branded ‘Bee Macau’ and described as Macau’s first playing card factory, entered full-scale production in early May, according to a corporate press release issued at the time. It was said to involve an investment of approximately HKD500 million (US$63.8 million).
Bee Macau is a joint venture between Belgium-based card maker Cartamundi group and Hong Kong-listed Asia Pioneer Entertainment Holdings Ltd (APE). The latter is based in Macau and operates across business segments including the distribution of third-party gaming technology.
Cartamundi acquired the United States Playing Card Co – long associated with the Bee brand – in December 2019, according to a company announcement issued at the time.
The Bee Macau facility was promoted at the recent Global Gaming Expo (G2E) Asia 2026 casino trade show and conference in Macau (pictured right: Herman Ng Man Ho, APE’s chief executive).
Mr Pearce told GGRAsia that local production capability fits within a “wider trend” of meeting the “growing demand” from casino operators for locally-produced playing cards in a global environment facing increasing supply-chain challenges.
He added: “Following consistent feedback from casino operators across the region highlighting the need for greater local production, Cartamundi established this facility to better meet those demands.”
Mr Pearce, however, did not disclose details regarding Cartamundi’s most prominent markets and product segments in Asia, nor the group’s strategic growth plans for the region following the opening of the new factory.
He said the benefits of local production for casino operators included improved business continuity and greater supply-chain security, namely enhanced control and reduced risk throughout the supply chain. Other benefits mentioned were reliability and speed to market.
Within that framework, the partnership with APE – a “well-established local” firm – aimed to demonstrate Cartamundi group’s “long-term commitment to Macau and the wider region”.
“By combining Cartamundi’s global reach and manufacturing expertise with APE’s deep understanding of the local gaming market and technical expertise, the partnership enables close-to-market operations while reducing risk and ensuring solutions that meet the specific needs of casino operators in the region,” Mr Pearce said.
According to him, the Bee Macau facility is equipped with advanced automation, artificial intelligence technology and robotic systems, and is operated by a “highly skilled” local team.
