While searching for items to list on eBay, I came across a LGB 30th anniversary set that I cannot recall purchasing. Of course it was a very pleasant surprise. Included in the paperwork was a Summer 1995 version of the LGB Telegram magazine. One of the topics was an interview with the two Richter cousins. They had just taken control of the company and were discussing the future direction of the company. Rolf set out his plan to pass on the company to his children and their children. Ironic that fifteen years later both his daughter and himself would be killed in tragic circumstances.
The cousins discussed maintaining both quality and market share in the largescale market as well as not compromising quality by outsourcing production of LGB products overseas. They were happy with outsourcing the Lehmann Toytrain range and were very pleased with the sales of these items. It was stated that under no circumstances was Lehmann the type of company to claim bankruptcy or chapter 11 insolvency simply because of a ‘bad’ year. Very ironic that a few years later the company was embroiled in a very messy breakup.
On a positive note, Rolf discusses his father, Wolfgang, building and testing the prototypes of the upcoming LGB range, initially released in 1968. Wolfgang encouraged his children to test every new development to iron out the bugs. An interesting test was a loco running in a circle but tethered by its power leads to a transformer located in the centre of the circle (obviously track power pickup had not been perfected).
A very enlightening article, though in hindsight, one wonnders if the cousins were aware of the daunting task ahead of them. Very recommended reading for those interested in the brandname.