Bachmann news item

[Bryan]

Found this on the Britarch site today.

http://www.newsnow.co.uk/cgi/NGoto/361773222?2760

Now who thought all manufacturers were different then?

[Autocar Publicity]

If they do get extra capacity, perhaps it will cut down waiting times for new items? Or will it just shift the problem to Hornby's supply chain...?

[Bryan]

What struck me is that Bachmann now control the plant that produces Hornby items.

[redtoon1892]

It could in theory mean the end of the Hornby name.

http://ogaugewatch.com/2008/11/kader-ma ... trial.html

[Bill Bedford]

It could in theory mean the end of the Hornby name.

Why surely Sanda Kan are only contractors for Hornby?

[manna]

Bachmann will know everything that Hornby are planning, Will Hornby restart production at Margate ???

[Bill Bedford]

Bachmann will know everything that Hornby are planning,

You think they don't know what each other is planning already?
As for moving the production back to Margate, I a steady stream of email from Chinese companies offering to make railway models for me. It would not be a massive undertaking to find another contractor. I note that they are already using some Vietnamise contractors.

[CVR1865]

Hornby have already diversified their manufacturing base to protect them from any problems with Sander Kan or Bachmann. There is also a confidentiality agreement between Hornby and its manufacturers and by the time that they get the info to the factory they are likely to be well on the way to the shelves so there is little advantage to be gained, and as Bill says there is every possibility that informally at least they are well aware of what they are each up to. Hornby the brand is relatively secure as they have invested in expanding their own brands with the inclusion of Corgi and Airfix recently.

There has been good news for the corporation as they have seen their share price boosted with their 2012 contract. Hornby is worth a lot as a brand in its own right that even if Kader or someone else brought it they would make more money from it in the UK as Hornby than through a rebranding exercise.

I spoke with the chap who owns model junction in Bury last time I was there and he said that model railways sales were doing very well and if not up a little in the recession with the railroad brand doing well. With more people at home and even in work going out less the hobby trade is wethering the recession well.