Large Scale Central

"MIBA" on the LGB situation

General Discussion
#1

Hi all,

The link to the original is this http://miba.de/miba/07/04/3.htm

And my translation is this:

MIBA on LGB 07/04 said:
[b]Who is slinging mud?[/b]

Wer schmeißt denn da mit Lehm?
Der sollte sich was schäm’!
Der sollte doch was anderes nehm’
Als ausgerechnet Lehm

It won’t rhyme but more or less it means translator

Who is slinging mud?
He should be ashamed!
He should use something else
instead of all things: mud.

Instead of “Lehm” one is tempted to use “Lehmann” to complete Claire Waldoff’s song from the '20s - in view of the mud slinging that is going on in regards to the Nürnberg garden railway producer.
A text from Tony Castellano, president of LGB of America, dated Feb. 14th 2007 spooks through the Internet. After a preamble, that suggested concern, one could read: “…LGB will live and thrive, with or without Lehmann. Here is the key: LGB of America owns the trademark and marketing rights for LGB for the entire world except Germany …”***

A blatant threat, which doesn’t at all fit the picture of the happy garden railways family. The reply from E.P.Lehmann arrived promptly just two days later as a press release: “Contrary to LGB of America’s interpretation all US-trademarks and US-copyrights worldwide reverted automatically back to E.P.LEHMANN PATENTWERK OHG upon transferring ownership of LGB of America to G45 on September 1st, 2006. Therefore, E.P.LEHMANN GmbH & Co. KG as the successor in title is the owner of all trademarks and copyrights worldwide.”***

This means two differing interpretations of the legal situation, which at the moment still awaits clarification. In any case, the negotiations, regarding the future cooperation between EPL and LGBoA, were still ongoing as of mid-February . All the more surprising are the comments from third parties to the situation: Obviously there are “interested circles” which purposely plant well directed canards. Those circles seem to be interested in anything but the truth. Many a poster in the fora who fabricates the date for a supposed Lehmann press conference is in that respect just small fry.

The situation of the new company is by no means uncomplicated. Production has to be restarted piece by piece, in which case even the dependence on the suppliers can delay the start-up. Let us wait for further developments and steer clear of hasty judgments. Only at the official conclusion of the current insolvency proceedings can the situation be assessed in an appropriate manner. Those who believe they have to keep on slinging mud at Lehmann should keep this in mind: If you hit or miss the target, the mud will still stick to your fingers.

Martin Knaden

*** copy/pasted referenced paragraphs from original press releases - - translator


My comment:

It would appear that the MIBA editor doesn’t take too kindly to the many “reliable sources” quotes that appear in so many fora. OTOH he certainly doesn’t mince words when he terms the Castellano missive a “blatant threat”, perhaps he isn’t as familiar with the time honoured practice of North American bluster as some others might be. :wink: :slight_smile:

#2
Hans-Joerg Mueller said:
... the time honoured practice of North American bluster ...
Now, now, I don't think it's entirely a North American phenomenon, by jingo. :D
#3

I’m not sure I know who MIBA is or whether or not I should give a rats what their editor’s opinion is. So in this respect, I need clarification. The fact that he seems to believe that what you call “North American bluster” is a “blatant threat” could have a lot to do with national pride…assuming that Mr. Knaden is German.

#4
Warren Mumpower said:
I'm not sure I know who MIBA is or whether or not I should give a rats what their editor's opinion is. So in this respect, I need clarification. The fact that he seems to believe that what you call "North American bluster" is a "blatant threat" could have a lot to do with national pride...assuming that Mr. Knaden is German.
Warren,

One could call “MIBA” the German “MR”. Of course Knaden is German and naturally that will tint his view just a tad. :wink: :slight_smile:

Reminds me quite a bit of what has been dished up by the “Clambake” clan in regards to LGBoA.

#5

Of course Jon DeKales (LSOL) hasn’t helped when he “sponsored” that “radio” broadcast by Castellano.

#6
Warren Mumpower said:
Of course Jon DeKales (LSOL) hasn't helped when he "sponsored" that "radio" broadcast by Castellano.
Actually the interview was with Dave Buffington, or did I miss something??
#7

It may have been Buffington on the LSOL “broadcast”. One LGB/LGBoA employee sounds just like all the rest.

#8
Warren Mumpower said:
I'm not sure I know who MIBA is or whether or not I should give a rats what their editor's opinion is. So in this respect, I need clarification. The fact that he seems to believe that what you call "North American bluster" is a "blatant threat" could have a lot to do with national pride...assuming that Mr. Knaden is German.
Big slice of the jingoistic cake!

It would appear that one of the two protagonists is still alive and functioning. MR. Castellano’s remarks of February 14 basically stated that the prospective buyer could not hold up his end of the deal and LGB of America would continue to operate. EPL in Germany is basically closed until the German court appointed trustee decides who will assume control. I wouldn’t be suprised to learn that LGB of America was in Germany right now negotiating with the city of Nurenberg to assume control of EPL by offering to keep the factory intact.
LGB of America seems to be actively aquiring new products to sell such as Bridgewerks transformers, Noch scenery products, Expanding into the PIKO world of HO, Emek trucks, and last week my local dealer mentioned they were getting ready to announce a new line of “scale” German G trains.

I personally think it would be interesting if Piko took control of EPL. They are local to Nurenberg and could probably merge thier facilities. I don’t think Marklin would be a good choice since they’ve been virtually eliminating all of the German “factories” of the companys they’ve assumed. Word has it that the head of the investment group controlling Marklin wants to consolidate various manufacturers (Trix, Marklin,Roco,EPL…) , eliminate most European manufacturing and send production to China- then turn it (sell it).

I think most info- even from a newspaper - cannot be taken as fact. Time will be the deciding factor.

#9
John Joseph Sauer said:
Warren Mumpower said:
I'm not sure I know who MIBA is or whether or not I should give a rats what their editor's opinion is. So in this respect, I need clarification. The fact that he seems to believe that what you call "North American bluster" is a "blatant threat" could have a lot to do with national pride...assuming that Mr. Knaden is German.
Big slice of the jingoistic cake!

It would appear that one of the two protagonists is still alive and functioning. MR. Castellano’s remarks of February 14 basically stated that the prospective buyer could not hold up his end of the deal and LGB of America would continue to operate. EPL in Germany is basically closed until the German court appointed trustee decides who will assume control. I wouldn’t be suprised to learn that LGB of America was in Germany right now negotiating with the city of Nurenberg to assume control of EPL by offering to keep the factory intact.
LGB of America seems to be actively aquiring new products to sell such as Bridgewerks transformers, Noch scenery products, Expanding into the PIKO world of HO, Emek trucks, and last week my local dealer mentioned they were getting ready to announce a new line of “scale” German G trains.

I personally think it would be interesting if Piko took control of EPL. They are local to Nurenberg and could probably merge thier facilities. I don’t think Marklin would be a good choice since they’ve been virtually eliminating all of the German “factories” of the companys they’ve assumed. Word has it that the head of the investment group controlling Marklin wants to consolidate various manufacturers (Trix, Marklin,Roco,EPL…) , eliminate most European manufacturing and send production to China- then turn it (sell it).

I think most info- even from a newspaper - cannot be taken as fact. Time will be the deciding factor.


JJ,

Hmmmmmmmm interesting, last time I looked Piko was in Sonneberg. Yes, that’s the same Sonneberg where Märklin plans on closing their plant. Yes, Piko would be a good fit as well (I mentioned that many months ago), they have larger equipment than the LGB injection moulding machines and certainly a much better idea how to keep their plant fully utilized!

Your comment on the LGBoA plan is interesting, too. Kind of old, but interesting. :wink: :slight_smile: Negotiating with the city of Nürnberg, hmmmmmmm loan guarantees??? :smiley: Remember Buffington’s “radio” interview and the pockets that aren’t all that deep??
Will the banks fall all over each other to offer lines of credit? And all this without disclosure of who the owners of G45 are? They didn’t learn a thing in the last few years? :wink: :slight_smile: :smiley:

Well I’d say: Time will tell!

#10

If I could choose it would be Piko or LGB of america over Marklin.

#11

Speaking of Piko, don’t you just love the glasses Dr Rene Wilfer chooses to wear?

You never know, if he ends up running LGB they might turn out to be a very daring and innovative outfit.

#12
TonyWalsham said:
Speaking of Piko, don't you just love the glasses Dr Rene Wilfer chooses to wear?

You never know, if he ends up running LGB they might turn out to be a very daring and innovative outfit.


Yes, he sure has his own style. One of those figures comes as an engineer with every PIKO Taurus. :wink:

#13
John Joseph Sauer said:
If I could choose it would be Piko or LGB of america over Marklin.
You know Piko could take over Märklin's plant in Sonneberg, move all the good equipment from Nürnberg to Sonneberg - federal and state subsidies, tax holidays and tax advantages - make the choice employees an offer that's hard to turn down.

To put the icing on the cake, they keep both Schöntag and Märklin as investors (Märklin chips in the real estate), then they act as an OEM for both the EPL line as well as whatever line Märklin wants to start in LS.

Neat solution to a problem and since it would be all “one large happy family” no duplications between PIKO, EPL and Märklin, but instead strategic positioning of the lines.

Now who did this before? Hmmmmmmmmm sounds somewhat like LIMA, but the Italians didn’t pull it off - lousy execution! :wink: :slight_smile:

#14

Ahem. Just like to point out, in case aybody has forgotten, that Marklin is now owned 100% by the British finance corporation, Kingsbridge.

That MAY have some bearing on the eventual fate of LGB…

tac
Ottawa Valley GRS

#15

If Marklin/Kingbridge gets LGB they’ll just give it a coat of cheap paint and put it out on the used car lot.

#16

Cheap paint?

How much cheaper than PRC?
Pakistan?

#17

…you would think that if that guy in the picture could afford to be involved…he could at least afford a razor…!!!

#18
Fred Mills said:
...you would think that if that guy in the picture could afford to be involved....he could at least afford a razor.........!!!!
Fred,

Shaving is optional! :wink:

I don’t mind his glasses and I don’t mind his beard, just as long as he knows what producing good model railways is all about. :smiley: :smiley:

#19
Hans-Joerg Mueller said:
Fred,

Shaving is optional! :wink:

I don’t mind his glasses and I don’t mind his beard, just as long as he knows what producing good model railways is all about. :smiley: :smiley:


Remember when POLA was the dominant manufacturer of LS buildings? You know, when the good Dr was running them. Before he left and snapped up the East German model train maker PIKO after the wall came down.

Look at where POLA is now. A subsidiary of Faller.

Look at where PIKO is now. A potential suitor to the purchase of LGB.

I would hold no fears as to how savvy Dr Rene Wilfer is at making LS equipment.

#20

Tony said: “I would hold no fears as to how savvy Dr Rene Wilfer is at making LS equipment.”

Nor would I! After all Lehmann taught him how. He’s had a lot of practice making ToyTrain and the LCE’s.

Jack