Large Scale Central

Watch out, 1:29 guys!

General Discussion
#1

News Flash:
Kader Industries (owner of Bachmann) has just been given clearance to purchase Sanda Kan (make Aristo and USA stuff, among others).

"An agreement has been reached allowing model railroad manufacturer Kader Manufacturing Trust to purchase Sanda Kan Industrial, according to industry sources.

Hong-Kong headquartered Kader owns the Bachmann, Williams, Bachmann Branchline, Graham Farish, Liliput and Bachmann China brands and manufactures products for them at its facility in China’s Guandong province. Sanda Kan, also based in Hong Kong, manufactures model trains and accessories at several facilities in mainland China and has made items for Athearn, Atlas, Hornby, Life-Like, Lionel, Marklin, and Walthers, among others.

According to industry sources, Kader views the acquisition more as a merger of the two companies, with Sanda Kan operating as a separate entity and retaining its current management."

#2

Here is a direct link to the release:

http://www.trains.com/grw/default.aspx?c=a&id=1214

#3

Velly intellesting! :smiley:

#4

Once you own All of the means of production, you set the market price.

#5

And, this gives a whole new outlet for the Ames Super Socket!

#6

Dave -
Is not Sanda Kan’s manufacturing plants a duplication of Kader mfg.?
Is not reasonable speculation that Kader’s goal is really to attain (by default) the contracts that have been held by Sanda’s plants?Thus, Tony’s comment of a manufacturing monopoly has strong significance.
So is your 1:29 reference “Watch out 1:29 guys” is a caution that 1:29 may no longer be the favored scale – presumption being that one of THE 1:29 champions, USA Trains, is also presumed to be manufactured by Sanda as per the press release reference “among others?”

Any further insight from you?
Thanks,
Wendell

#7

Wendell,

It’s called “economies of scale” and you can interpret that any way you like! :wink: :slight_smile:

#8

Lewis Polk is convinced that the buyout will lead to better product quality, by convincing the previous Sandra Kan engineers to return, after the JP Morgan economic reshuffle, some years ago, lead to employee reductions.

I feel that there will be little impact as to product availability in 1/29 scale other than what we are used to. Remember that Sandra Kan was the contractual manufacturer only for Aristo-Craft and USA Trains. There is no economicadvantage to Kader to favour one brandname over another, as Bachmann is only one of its products. Sandra Kan’s expertise was contract manufacturing other manufacturer’s brandnames. I see no reason why this should change under Kader ownership.

#9

Tim-
Couple of things.
One, you really think with Kader involved quality control will IMPROVE?
Two, Kader also does manufacturing for others under the other’s brand name.
Blackstone springs readily to mind.

I do wonder what this basic monopoly will do.

#10

News Flash! Aristo moves manufacturing to Viet Nam. :lol:

#11
Tim Brien said:
Lewis Polk is convinced that the buyout will lead to better product quality, by convincing the previous Sandra Kan engineers to return, after the JP Morgan economic reshuffle, some years ago, lead to employee reductions.

I feel that there will be little impact as to product availability in 1/29 scale other than what we are used to. Remember that Sandra Kan was the contractual manufacturer only for Aristo-Craft and USA Trains. There is no economicadvantage to Kader to favour one brandname over another, as Bachmann is only one of its products. Sandra Kan’s expertise was contract manufacturing other manufacturer’s brandnames. I see no reason why this should change under Kader ownership.


Tim,

It may not change anything, but … all the hens in one chicken coop may get the rooster thinking! :wink: :slight_smile:

BTW that’s great, Lewis thinking that the quality will improve is a good first step! :smiley: :confused: :smiley:

Along that same train of thought; one of the city councillors running for re-election “If I was perfect, I wouldn’t be a politician.”
Just about had me spewing tea all over the breakfast table, it’s good enough for framing! :wink:

#12

HJ and other LS historians:

Is Lewis Polk’s thinking that quality “will improve” not an admission of his assessment of the production facility he ALREADY was using? I think so. Per Tim’s sharp confirmation that Sanda Kan DID, in fact, manufacturer BOTH USA and Aristo’s products, now what will be the standard he wants when the Bachmann folk (Kader) are in the management role over Sanda?

Meanwhile, back at the Marklin/LGB ranch, who the @#$$ actually made the LGB products that were from China? Oooops? Am I close to either of the two manufacturing plants we are making topical? Ouch! Is it possible that Kader now holds the molds that supposedly are the Magna Carta for LGB? You remember, the long-lost-molds that supposedly were sequestered in China. Gulp! Imagine such intrigue!

POSTSCRIPT:
Are we to believe that LGB/Marklin’s large scale products will be German-based and German manufactured?
If not, guess at whose addresses will their RFP production requests be sent?

Can the worst be that Aristo and USA will now be manufactured by their worst enemy and competitor: BACHMANN!!

Holy rail clamps!

Anyone have further information to satisfy us curious sorts???

Selah,
Wendell

#13

Wendell, :wink: :slight_smile: This with tongue very, very firmly in cheek: The latest on the GrapeVine is: Kader has a new PR consultant responsible for all communications: Signore Giudice. :wink: :slight_smile: :wink: Sure looks like there’s a major consolidation in the works, eh!?!

(http://www.rhb-grischun.ca/F-PIX//icon_tc.gif)

(http://www.rhb-grischun.ca/F-PIX//icon_tc.gif)

(http://www.rhb-grischun.ca/F-PIX//icon_tc.gif)

:lol: Sooner or later it will all be one large Large Scale family! :wink: :slight_smile: :wink:

#14

There’s still several other largescale makers in china.

#15

Prices are sure to get in line with reality, and more like the new pricing of the smaller scales…LS has been much underpriced in relation to the smaller scales.

Grab your childrens inheratance, if you plan on buying anything in the not-to-distant future…

#16

Wendell,
read Lewis’s comments on his own forum as regards Kader purchasing Sandra Kan. Apparently several very talented (maybe read expensive) engineers were ‘sacked’ when JP Morgan took the reins and economically ‘downsized’ Sandra Kan. Now with Kader control, these engineers have expressed a desire to be re-employed by Sandra Kan. This ultimately has to improve product design/quality. I see Bachmann as just another company in the Kader portfolio and not the dominant manufacturer.

        I read Jack's comment as regards 'other largescale' manufacturers in China as a little tongue in cheek.  Between Bachmann and Sandra Kan you have a very high production percentage of all model trains produced in China and thus the world.  It would not surprise me if either company was contracted to produce LGB/Marklin.
#17
Tim Brien said:
I read Jack's comment as regards 'other largescale' manufacturers in China as a little tongue in cheek. Between Bachmann and Sandra Kan you have a very high production percentage of all model trains produced in China and thus the world. It would not surprise me if either company was contracted to produce LGB/Marklin.
You can tongue your cheek to your hearts desire ;) Why would I mention a couple of other makers if these two ever made LGB? I guess it's because these two never made any LGB even though your "very high percentage" statements is correct. So that leaves some other maker(s) that did! But, you know so much more than I do, I simply defer to your judgement.
#18
Jack Barton said:
There's still several other largescale makers in china.
Jack Barton said:
You can tongue your cheek to your hearts desire ;) Why would I mention a couple of other makers if these two ever made LGB? I guess it's because these two never made any LGB even though your "very high percentage" statements is correct. So that leaves some other maker(s) that did! But, you know so much more than I do, I simply defer to your judgement.
Actually you never mentioned other mfgs, you just alluded to them. There's a difference. ;)
#19

Vait until next veek?

#20

Viel Spaß! Halbdackel