Large Scale Central

Information from LGB® in Germany regarding

General Discussion
#1

… various questions. Dated 2007/08/23 (today), please keep in mind that this went out to the Germanspeaking customers!

LGB® said:
Die LGB® fährt wieder!!! Nürnberg, 23.08.07 Verehrte LGB®-Kunden,

nach vielen Wochen und Monaten der Ungewissheit, können wir Ihnen jetzt mitteilen, dass
„Ihre“ LGB® nun wieder auf dem richtigen Gleis fährt. Während dieser Zeit und natürlich
auch nach Bekanntgabe der Übernahme durch die Fa. Gebr. Märklin & Cie. GmbH,
werden Sie sich sicherlich gefragt haben, wie es mit Ihrem Hobby weitergeht. Darauf
möchten wir Ihnen mit diesem Schreiben schon einmal einige Antworten auf die
dringendsten Fragen geben.

Wo und ab wann kann ich zukünftig LGB® Produkte bestellen?

Sie können wie gewohnt bei Ihrem bisherigen LGB®-Händler bestellen. Dieser nimmt ab
sofort gerne Ihre Bestellungen entgegen. Derzeit sind Gleise und andere Artikel in der
Produktion. Momentan nicht lieferbares Rollmaterial wird schnellstmöglich nachproduziert.

Gibt es kurzfristig Preiserhöhungen?

Die per 01. Februar 2007 veröffentlichten unverbindlichen Preisempfehlungen werden
nicht erhöht, mit Ausnahme des Standard-Gleismaterials. Hier ist eine Preisanpassung
aufgrund der gestiegenen Rohstoffpreise notwendig. Nähere Informationen dazu erhalten
Sie von Ihrem LGB®-Händler.

Was ist mit dem Kundendienst bzw. Ersatzteilbestellungen?

Der Kundendienst wird Sie ab Mitte Oktober 2007 gerne wieder mit Rat und Tat
unterstützen. Dieser längere Vorlauf ist nötig, da auch ein zwischenzeitlicher Umzug in ein
anderes Gebäude noch durchzuführen ist. Auch Ersatzteilbestellungen können Sie ab
dem o. g. Zeitpunkt gerne wieder an den Kundendienst richten. Wir werden den bekannten
Service dann für Sie umgehend wieder herstellen. Die entsprechenden Kontaktdaten
(Adresse, Telefon) werden noch rechtzeitg bekanntgegeben.

Werden angekündigte Neuheiten für 2007 auch dieses Jahr noch ausgeliefert?

Von den auf der Internationalen Spielwarenmesse 2007 angekündigten Neuheiten werden
folgende Artikel auch in diesem Jahr voraussichtlich noch ausgeliefert:
Art. 21670 „Schienenreinigungslok“ UVP 494,00€
Art. 30343 „RhB Personenwagen C2010“ UVP 167,00€
Art. 43300 „StLB ged. Güterwagen G4009“ UVP 96,90€

Was passiert mit den Depesche- und Clubaussendungen für 2007?

Es ist geplant, noch in diesem Jahr zwei Ausgaben fertig zu stellen. Die erste Aussendungwird ca. per Ende Oktober 2007 durchgeführt. Der zweite Aussendetermin wird rechtzeitig
bekannt gegeben. Für bereits komplett bezahlte Depescheabonnements bzw.
Clubmitgliedschaften für 2007 werden wir uns um einen entsprechenden Ausgleich
bemühen (weitere Informationen folgen). Nähere Informationen für Mitglieder des LGB®-
CLUBs dazu und zu allen Bereichen, die den LGB®-CLUB betreffen, werden direkt an die
Mitglieder erfolgen.

Gibt es noch einen LGB® Katalog 2007?

Für 2007 ist kein Katalog mehr geplant. Es wird für 2008 wieder ein neuer Katalog
erscheinen (weitere Informationen folgen).
Ab wann ist die Homepage www.lgb.de bzw. www.lgb-club.de wieder erreichbar?
Beide Homepages werden nach Klärung technischer Probleme sobald wie möglich wieder
verfügbar sein.

Wann wird LGB® wieder auf einer Messe vertreten sein?

LGB® wird sich bereits am 15. und 16. September 2007 anlässlich des „Modellbahn Treff“
in Göppingen präsentieren. Hier können Sie direkt mit unseren Mitarbeitern sprechen. Der
nächste Messetermin ist dann „Modell-Hobby-Spiel“ in Leipzig vom 12. bis 14. Oktober
2007.

Liebe LGB®-Kunden, für weitere Fragen stehen wir Ihnen gerne unter der bekannten
Telefonnummer unserer Serviceline 0911/83707-837 zur Verfügung.

Wir bedanken uns für Ihre Geduld und wünschen Ihnen jetzt und in Zukunft umso mehr
Freude mit „Ihrer“ LGB®.

LGB®-Projektleitung
Günter Kopp


HJ translates

HJ translates said:
LGB® is running again!!! Nürnberg, Aug 23, 2007

Valued LGB® customers,

After many weeks and months of uncertainty, we are able to inform you that “Your” LGB® is now back on the right track. During this time and naturally after the announcement of the takeover by Märklin&Co GmbH, you most likely asked yourself “What will happen to my hobby?”. The intent of this letter is to provide answers in regards to the most pressing questions.

Where and how can I order LGB® products?

You can as previously order from your LGB® dealer. He will gladly accept your orders starting immediately. Track and other items are currently in the production cycle. Rolling stock that is currently not available will be produced as soon as possible.

Are there price increases in the immediate future?

The MSRP list which was published on Feb 1, 2007 is still valid, the only price increase will be in the track components. An adjustment is necessary in view of the raw material increases. Full particulars are available from your dealer’s.

What happens regarding repairs and spareparts?

Customer service will gladly be at your disposal as of mid-October. The timelag is a result of the necessary relocation of the facilities. Mid-October will also mean the resumption of the spare parts service, we will gladly accept your orders. We will expeditiously resume the accustomed service. The relevant contact information ( address and phone numbers) will be announced in a timely fashion.

Will the announced “New Items” for 2007 be delivered in 2007?

It is expected to deliver the following items, which were announced at the NTF 2007, during the remainder of 2007:

21670 Track Cleaning Engine MSRP 494 Euro
30343 RhB C2010 Coach MSRP 167 Euro
43300 StLB G4009 Boxcar MSRP 96.90 Euro

What happens with the “Depesche” and the club items for 2007?

The plan is to still publish two issues this year. The first for approx. End of October. The second mailing will be announced in a timely fashion. We will endeavour some compensation for fully paid subscriptions and club memberships for 2007 (more information to follow). Detailed information regarding those matters and all matters concerning the LGB®-Club will be forwarded directly to the Club members.

Will there still be a 2007 catalogue?

There are no plans for a 2007 catalogue. A new catalogue is planned for 2008 (more information to follow)

When will the website www.lgb.de and www. lgb-club.de be online again?

Both sites will be available as soon as possible, pending clarification of some technical problems.

When will LGB® participate at a fair?

LGB® will be present at the “Modellbahn Treff” in Göppingen which takes place Sept 15 and 16. Your chance to chat with our staff. The next exhibition is “Modell-Hobby-Spiel” from Oct 12 - 16, 2007 in Leipzig.

Dear LGB® customers, we gladly answer your additional questions on the customary service line 0911/83707-837.

We thank you for your patience and wish you, for now and the future, even more joy with “Your” LGB®

LGB®- Project Management

Günter Kopp


Interesting! And we are still waiting to hear from G45/LGBoA!

Ah well, they’ll have to surface for air sooner or later.

#2

<<You can as previously order from your LGB® dealer. He will gladly accept your orders starting immediately.>>

Yeah, freakin right!
My local dealer says his district rep doesn’t have a clue yet, doesn’t even know if LGB still exists.
(That’s how dealers order–thru their district sales reps–in case you wondered.)

And expect delivery when. Two, three years from now!
I’ll only believe it when I see it on the shelves!

TOG

#3

John:

That ‘missive’ was only aimed at Germany.

There has not been any factual information regarding the rest of the world!

There have also been some discussions on other sites concerning the German-centric thinking of Marklin, but it’s early (as in ~3 1/2 weeks) in the MLGB reign.

Happy RRing,

Jerry Bowers

#4

Everyone keep yer pants on…thats only for Germieland.

The Zeppelin holding USA services hasn’t landed yet, isnt even visible. We are still in the dark as to what services we will get here.

The silence from San Diego is deafening!

#5

And for a moment I thought we might see some track!

#6
Victor Smith said:
Everyone keep yer pants on...thats only for Germieland.

The Zeppelin holding USA services hasn’t landed yet, isnt even visible. We are still in the dark as to what services we will get here.

The silence from San Diego is deafening!


It’s good business to keep quiet until a deal is done!

#7

HJ and others:

Is there an exclusionary effort by Marklin to list LGB with the small “R” next to it. My conclusion, at this point, is Marklin is distinguishing itself with this trademark (amplified) from the San Diego operation – who may still be supplying products to retailers. Possible?

Wendell

#8
Victor Smith said:
Everyone keep yer pants on...thats only for Germieland.

The Zeppelin holding USA services hasn’t landed yet, isnt even visible. We are still in the dark as to what services we will get here.

The silence from San Diego is deafening!


Right, the reasons for posting the German info (this and the Axel Dietz/Günter Kopp interview):

  1. to indicate that LGB® is moving ahead under the Märklin Holding umbrella.

  2. that they have very concrete plans for the European market, which as far as LGB® engineering, admin, marketing, customer service, spare parts etc. is concerned will still be served from Nürnberg, albeit from a new location.

  3. that there is movement on the LGB® website front.

In short, this is considerably more than “next week”!
A good indication that their planning is good, remember it has only been four weeks since they won the bid.

It has also been four weeks since we heard anything from G45/LGBoA - that message was an informal note of regret from D.Buffington on the Family forum.

But as has been mentioned before, to the consumer it will be of little interest/consequence if the products, services, marketing etc. etc. come out of San Diego, CA or New Berlin, WI. Other than WI being a lot more central to the different markets.

So no panic, it will all be sorted out in short order. Quite a few things got sorted out so far i.e. the trademark rights, the tooling in China etc. etc., no reason to doubt that Märklin will sort out the rest.

Many, many months back I mentioned that I watched similar “re-alignments” in other industries. Most of the time there is a set pattern, this one is no exception. On that same note, when Kingsbridge acquired Märklin there were some of the management team left in place, some “troubleshooters” were brought in and now, just over a year after the takeover, there is a completely new team at the head of the organisation. No hasty decisions. As TOC likes to put it “The adults are now in charge”.

#9
John Joseph Sauer said:
Victor Smith said:
Everyone keep yer pants on...thats only for Germieland.

The Zeppelin holding USA services hasn’t landed yet, isnt even visible. We are still in the dark as to what services we will get here.

The silence from San Diego is deafening!


It’s good business to keep quiet until a deal is done!

Woo Hoo. He can’t help hisself.
Being out of the loop must so frustrating Marvin.

If you are so all knowing oh Lord and Master, tell us this.

How did the meetings in Germany go?

Did the 'murricans retain the distibution rights for LGB in the USA?

#10
Wendell Hanks said:
HJ and others:

Is there an exclusionary effort by Marklin to list LGB with the small “R” next to it. My conclusion, at this point, is Marklin is distinguishing itself with this trademark (amplified) from the San Diego operation – who may still be supplying products to retailers. Possible?

Wendell


Wendell,

I don’t know, but it sure looks like they are asserting their rights and emphasizing the fact at every turn. I guess it’s almost time to recheck the trademark registrations in the USA and Germany to see if there have been updates. :wink: :slight_smile: Last time I looked it was all still EPL Patentwerk, which to me looked at that time like a very solid indication of “the lay of the land”.