SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT REGARDING MICRO-TRAINS AND SANDA KAN MANUFACTURING IN CHINA Dear Micro-Trains Dealer, As you may have heard, Sanda Kan, a large manufacturer in China, has just recently consolidated its business by announcing that they are dropping many of their customers. Micro-Trains is one of the customers that they will no longer be doing business with, however this will only affect a few of our products. The only items temporarily affected by this change is our N scale FT Locomotives, Z scale Locomotives (GP-35, GP-9, SD40-2) and Z scale Micro-Track. All other products will be unaffected as they are produced in-house at our factory here in Oregon. We are not certain of the full impact this will have on the few items above, but it is possible that there will be some delays and that some items will have to go on back order for a period of time. We are actively working to find alternate sources for these items so we can avoid or minimize any delays. We feel fortunate to be able to produce so much of our product here at our factory and wanted to inform you how this affects our company and the products we offer you. Thanks for your continued support of Micro-Trains and our products. Sincerely, Ben Thielemann Marketing Director Micro-Trains Line Co
And the Western world now begins to realize, a bit at a time, how dumb it was to move the manufacture of...well, everything...overseas. MT seems to be a good company, theyll figure it out. Some of the other manufacturers, who knows. But I sense this sort of thing becoming a theme, and soon, and with higher profile stuff than model trains.
Well, I'm not taking any chances... I'm stocking up! Christmas in July? Why not! Let the feeding frenzy begin! I have no idea what the timeframe for such a disruption might be, so I have to make sure I have enough locomotives to last me.
Did so many actually think think that China would have different solutions to thier economic downturns that the modern world would. They(China) are evolving very quickly thus the manufacturers will become more focussed than ever. They will come back when they decide to hire back the people who new what they were doing. Am I correct that this firm was named after its founder who decided to retire completely after being bought out and asked to to work as a consultant? He saw the writing on the wall.
Yes, China is catching up.... I never thought it would affect our hobby. Hopefully the affected manufacturers have a fall back plan.... since if they stop selling locomotives, American Model railroading, esspecially for Z-scale will become more and more difficult. What about AZL do they also do business with Sanda Kan......will we get the GP30?
The fact are known for Märklin already longer time. I think no NEW locos for sometime anymore. The older should be on the market longer time. Some dealers always have hudge stock and there is ebay. To get the castings out off China, I see no chance. Märklin is after this for a moment. What is the reason ? Sure not to reduce the business and income of Kader/Sandakan. They continue with Lionel and want to expand with some other. Lionel in Z ? Sandakan selling by themself ? http://www.modelrailroadnews.com/ch...rticle-page/interesting-times/6fa58324da.html
This is very unfortunate news. Three of the companies listed are Z scale manufacturers. As we know, Marklin and MTL, but also Bowser. Bowser produces the Full Throttle line. I am unsure if Bowser uses SDK for their Z production and can only hope FT won't be affected. AZL is not affected by this decision from SDK. Rob
I hope InterMountain's Z scale efforts will not be dashed before it even starts. Anyone know if they will be affected by this? John
Also this probably means no E-8? I guess I am glad I got my sd 40-2 when I did. I think I am with Robert here, better stock up on what ya want now.
Intermountain does not use SandaKan and MTL just announced the E-8 for Spring next year so they must have a plan. This SandaKan news was not just 'yesterday'. MTL and others new about it so for Eric to say at the N-scale Convention this weekend that the E-8s were on the horizon, must have a plan. .
Talking about the E8, I found some interesting facts. It has a new heavier chassis and a bigger motor.
AZL and SDK are A-OK! Hi Gang, Just for the record, AZL got a very different letter from Sanda Kan: Dear Mr Riddervold and Mr Allbritton, We are under going a restructuring program at SDK and part of it is to consolidate our customer base. This will allow us to be more focusing on to all the valuable key customers that have good potential and good relationship with. No doubt that Rail Miniatures AS (AZL) has always been one of our key customers and we will continue to support your business in a long term with a greater attention. Attached is an announcement from our Management. Best regards, SDK That being said, we should note that we use several factories in USA, Korea, China, and Germany for our products. While Sanda Kan is a very important supplier for us, we do have alternatives in the event of unforseen difficulties with any one of our partners. In short, AZL and SDK are A-OK! Cheers! -Rob(A) AZL
Bowser? I thought they had mold machines in PA, guess not. I'd bet that MT will find a way to make this stuff here. The loco frames shouldn't be too hard to figure out. They already cast metal underframes.
I don't think the issue is MTL can do it or not. After seeing their factory, I know, they can do anything, even a Zn2 Shay. Unfortunately the issue is cost, and from there is price.
I'm waiting too. Was hoping to have them before our show mid July. On the bright side they are being made in Medford, so it shouldn't be too much longer. We were shown the molds during the Convention tour.
SDK mostly makes locomotives, i believe. all of IM's car production is "in house" in Longmont, CO. they may be assembled in another location, i don't know. so when IM fabricates Z cars it will be in Colorado. i can't speak to their other (HO and N scale loco) production whether that will be affected by this. dave f.
The Through Girder bridge is being produced here in house and will be out mid month July. I have a couple dozen of them stuck together on my bench. They will be released undec in light grey and black and are 110mm long. Joe MTL
