Who is buying weaver tooling?

The man wants to retire.  I assume that he will do whatever best maximizes his cash out--sell the building and whatever other business assets are worth anything.  In other words, whatever is in his best interest, not the hobby's.  It is basic economics.  I did the same thing when I retired--sold the building and everything in it.

I believe that most of us already understand what is in the preceding 2 posts.

 

Just for your information. I know a fellow who once took delivery of (300) freight cars every two weeks from Weaver for a whole year. That's 7,200. These were all custom run cars. If I could do it, so could you. Just be prepared to work very hard. Day and night. I loved their freight cars. I have never figured out why more dealers never took advantage of their beautiful work.

Me  too

 

Who knows what will happen with the Weaver tooling, but I expect that someone will be interested in it.  Look at all the recycled tooling that have been used over the years by K-Line, Williams, RMT, and even Atlas.  So I wouldn't be surprised to see the same happen here.  

 

 

At this point, there has only been mention of one possible player, but it's only rumor, and I will not say anything further. There are also things that Joe and some employees told me as to why the company is closing, but again, respect for privacy prevails. Let's stop the conjecture and speculation, and see what happens. If it's meant to be, someone will step up. Personally, I don't see a consortium or group of investors scenario being favorable: a return on investment regardless of who would take over would not be realized for several years, if at all. Groups of investors want a quicker return, and would become frustrated when this would not happen. 

Don

ERTL/AMT...although not a model train concern, they do plastic and die cast...certainly would not be a stretch for them to take this up,plus diversify, and own another brand name under the corporate umbrella...

BTW...if any of you have Weaver MKT red outside-braced boxcars you want to sell...send me an email...

Please stand by for a Big Announcement.

I bet Frank 53 could find a buyer. 

 

Bill

 

 

Sounds logical......but Ertl and AMT are two different companies after Round2 brands bought AMT/MPC plastic kit line after leasing the tooling for a few years. Having worked for them in the past I can say with 99% certainty they will not be looking at a new hobby line to get into.  They recently bought plastic kit manufacture Lindberg so their future continues to be plastic kits.

 

 

 

 

 

I'm sure that's true...was just throwing that out...it really is about the dollar...heck, when I go to the local train "shows", I always find the stuff I have at home is way nicer than stuff (mostly junk that nobody wants) at the show...which tells me I am a minority...or eccentric....but I revel in my eccentricity

Just a thought but...

Wouldn't it be in Weaver's best interest to not let the public know if someone is buying their tooling.  I imagine they want folks to come and buy as much of their remaining product as possible now and at the cash and carry.  

 

Some folks would be more apt to buy if they thought the line was being supported, but I think that is far outweighed by the opportunity to cash in on the "last chance" aspect of a going out-of-business sale. 

 

Just seems like good sense to keep mum until you've sold off as much of your assets and inventory as possible.

ONE of many reasons stuff like this is not open to the public. What goes on behind business doors is no one business!!!  Many reasons any negotiations are private.

"Just seems like good sense to keep mum until you've sold off as much of your assets and inventory as possible."

 

   I think it's more likely that nothing has been finalized about the future of the company's assets. When SHS owners retired and sold to MTH they announced the sale of company along with the sale of their remaining products. Folks would like to know what's gonna happen but buying existing items that they want  is a separate issue to most

 ( other than maybe complicated locos that might need future service).....DaveB 

And the buyer is ......AMTRAK !   Hey America is into training !

One can only assume that NO ONE wanted to buy Weaver at almost any price. How sad is that. I guess not much different then some of the dealers who couldn't sell their businesses. 

 

Warren Buffet? He buys businesses that he believes are undervalued and can be turned around to make money or make MORE money. Not likely in this business.

 

Gerry

If no one ants it, worth nothing. After a year of hard work and spending $$, my son had o give his little business away just to get out of the lease. ECON 101

When I visited there they explained to me that they did not mold the plastic and that it arrived at their factory ready to paint and assemble.

 

Most of the work I witnessed involved multistage and careful layering of painting followed by assembly.

 

So, do they have tooling?

 

 

Weaver does have tooling, the plastic is molded I believe in Selinsgrove, and the the dies are made by a machine shop in another local town. 

Don

And just wait, the "Panic Purchasing" is just now starting.

Model Power closed last year. Afterwards, MRC got the rights to the tooling and has brought the stuff back.

The tooling will probably be scrapped. America can't make anything any more. there goes me last source of new trains. :-(

How big is the mold for a boxcar? Maybe it weighs 30lbs, just a guess. 30lbs of steel is probably worth less than 10 bucks at the scrap yard. Why not just buy the ones you want. The outfit that made the models for Weaver would be glad to make as many as you wanted.

 

Pete

America still manufactures over 40% of everything made in the world.

Don

Scrap light iron/steel/tin is at about $6 per 100 pounds. Copper is at sixty cents a pound.

Don

They are big enough that it takes heavy equipment to move a mold. 

A box car mold can be the size of a dishwasher....and a single car may need 3-4 molds for all components. 

And they are often cut from high grade nickel steel....in high demand today. 

If no one buys them to produce product....it doesn't matter what it;s made from....it scrap. 

NOT saying what may or may not happen to Weavers molds......just what I know working in the plastic industry.

How are you guys so sure that no one is interested? Just because joe hasnt laid out his whole plan of attack for you to follow step by step doesnt mean no one is interested. Many times companies who buy people out dont want your inventory, so they offer you pennies on the dollar for the inventory, so a lot of owners have sales, blow the inventory out their self and make a few more points. Starting all this speculation and rumors is pretty childish to me. Joe is a smart man and i am fully confident joe will make the best decision for joe, at the end of the day, joe needs to worry about himself first and you guys are not helping him at this already difficult time by starting this garbage talk.

Well...I have to say that Marty (2railguy) has nailed it on the head.  A lot of the speculation here does nothing to help a long time and respected line in our hobby....

 

Alan

Relax 2rail, it is just a bunch of guys BS ing -they are interested in the company. Like talking about sports.

Bingo! With motor sports its called bench racing, most other sports its Monday morning quarterbacking.

Pete

In motor sports it's called 'Silly Season' a time of year where there is no real news but piles of speculation!!!

 

Kinda the same here.....

Well im sure all your bsing, gets joes phone lines tied up with people trying to find the truth to these post. Selling or closing a business is stressful, why add more to a great guy that has done wonderful things for our hobby. These post may not help prospective peoples opinion on purchasing if that is his end game plan. Its not like talking sports at all. Sports are for entertainment. This is someones business and investment. I've dealt  with the public for many many years and you dont realize what these post like you guys put on here cause the general people to do. I guarantee there are people reading this post right now, who have called to find out the plans. When joe is ready to let the general public know his intentions, im sure you guys will be some of the first to know. Till then, give the man a break


 
       

 

Very true, I agree.

 

Thanks!