When Italy-based Lottomatica Group SpA bought GTECH Corp. in 2006, there were worries hereabouts that the Rhode Island-born-and-bred, lottery-game maker would soon find a way to leave the Ocean State and take with it the jobs and community presence associated with a corporate headquarters.
Neither has been the case, and news out of Rome should perk up anyone inclined to see the dark side to any story.
Lottomatica is changing its name to GTECH, in what seems to be recognition that the brand name most associated with innovative products and responsive customer service is the Providence-based division of the global enterprise.
Just as importantly, the new GTECH will be organized around geographic regions, with the headquarters for the company’s North and South America operations being here, with Jaymin B. Patel, current GTECH president and CEO, taking on the same titles for GTECH Americas.
In a question-and-answer interview in this week’s edition of PBN, Mr. Patel said there will be no immediate change in Rhode Island employment. In fact, he sees the biggest challenge facing the company going forward will be managing the growth that GTECH hopes to see in the Western Hemisphere. It’s the kind of challenge we all would wish to have. •