I hope the new owners enforce the MAP policy that Estes sent out to all distributors. Let's make this hobby healthy again.
Minimum Advertised Price. Basically price-fixing, like Horizon Hobby has done.Can you elaborate on that? what it he MAP policy?
Minimum Advertised Price. Basically price-fixing ...
Glorious: Are you connected with Estes or Aerotech, or the hobby industry in general ?
I think she helps with a little company called AMW Pro-X
Estes was not happy to find out AT was selling the Estes branded motors direct and told them to take a hike. Those kits were always good sellers.
Estes was not happy to find out AT was selling the Estes branded motors direct and told them to take a hike. Those kits were always good sellers.
...
Not a lot of love lost between those two companies...
Estes was not happy to find out AT was selling the Estes branded motors direct and told them to take a hike. Those kits were always good sellers.
Certainly Aerotech continued to sell the original AT-labeled versions of the same motors that were rebranded Estes (e.g., G40, E30, F50). I'd have thought that was part of the original agreement.I'd like to hear more about that first statement. That would be a real bone-headed move by AT if that were true.
Certainly Aerotech continued to sell the original AT-labeled versions of the same motors that were rebranded Estes (e.g., G40, E30, F50). I'd have thought that was part of the original agreement.
I bought my share of Estes-branded AT motors from local vendors, but Estes made some major missteps with that IMHO (high prices, no igniters.)
AeroTech made the motors and shipped them in bulk quantities to Estes.
Estes applied the motor labels and packaged the motors.
Why no igniters in the Estes labeled AeroTech motors?
When Estes submitted the motors for DOT classification, they forgot to put igniters in the packages.
Estes would have to re-submit the motors with igniters for another round of classification.
Estes management decided not to re-submit the motors.
What I would really like to see is the return of being able to order any Estes part, not just left overs or whatever is laying around, airframes and centering rings I can get from at least 3 vendors but nose cones and other unusual parts are kit only or just unobtanium. While the MDRM might be expensive as a kit the nose cone and decals should be reasonable by themselves, thats what builders thrive on is the parts not necessarily the whole kit.
I for one, see Penrose as a full manufacturing facility. That's what it was built for.
Perhaps the new owner will take advantage of that, and return Estes back to a place you can visit...and take tours.
Buy kits out of the lobby, which the parts are made and put into kits on site. Bringing jobs back to the USA!
And...Bring back the Yearly Catalog!!! And keep it online as well.
I agree that being good business people first is a key thing for the longevity of Estes Industries.
One thing that I wonder about is if the last hobby distributor standing (Horizon) will handle Estes (or Aerotech/Quest for that matter).
i do believe (and correct me if I am wrong) that Aerotech took the E30 motors off the Valuerockets discount website while they were selling E30 motors to Estes and that this may have been part of the agreement - to not discount them through direct sales.
As for the Sonic Igniters - I think that the first batch I had were not so great,
Why no igniters in the Estes labeled AeroTech motors?
When Estes submitted the motors for DOT classification, they forgot to put igniters in the packages.
Estes would have to re-submit the motors with igniters for another round of classification.
Estes management decided not to re-submit the motors.
afadeev said:What will Horizon do with Estes now?
Probably the same thing Hobico did before - not much, and no-one will care.I knew Hobbico purchased Estes about the time that it actually happened
"Mr. Estes has agreed to serve on the Board of Advisors for Estes Industries LLC. "
How extremely cool is that?
"Mr. Estes has agreed to serve on the Board of Advisors for Estes Industries LLC. "
How extremely cool is that?
"Mr. Estes has agreed to serve on the Board of Advisors for Estes Industries LLC. "
How extremely cool is that?
"Mr. Estes has agreed to serve on the Board of Advisors for Estes Industries LLC. "
How extremely cool is that?
That's the definition of cool.
So cool that it sets the bar for metaphors describing coolness.
"There comes a time when all the cosmic tumblers have clicked into place and the universe opens itself up a few seconds to show you what’s possible."
So cool that you could that you could keep a side of beef in it for a month (or longer). So hip that it has trouble seeing over its pelvis.
Estes Announces Ownership Change
________________________________________
NEWS PROVIDED BY
Estes Industries LLC
________________________________________
PENROSE, Colo., April 17, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Estes, the world leader in model rocketry, announced today that it is under new ownership. Estes Industries LLC has purchased all of the assets and operations of the former Estes-Cox Corporation from Hobbico Corporation of Champaign, IL effective April 12, 2018.
Ellis Langford, 33, has been named as the new President of Estes Industries LLC. Langford announced the purchase stating, "For 60 years, Estes products have been the foundation for the hobby and sport of model rocketry. Our new leadership team will concentrate on returning Estes to its core business of developing, manufacturing, and selling the finest rocket motors, kits, and launchers in the world. We are working to ensure the smoothest possible transition from Hobbico to the new Estes, and to fully support our customers, vendors, and employees."
Estes was founded in 1958 by Vernon and Gleda Estes. Mr. Estes has agreed to serve on the Board of Advisors for Estes Industries LLC. The company will continue to base its headquarters and operations in Penrose, Colorado – "the model rocket capital of the world".
Estes Rockets continues to accept orders at www.estesrockets.com.
For further information contact Tina McGovern at [email protected].
View original content: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/estes-announces-ownership-change-300631645.html
SOURCE Estes Industries LLC
Related Links
https://www.estesrockets.com
In a way, it's too bad that Estes broke up their partnership with Aerotech to resell the AT E/F/G motors. Estes could have had a huge presence in TARC... beyond selling bags of parts. A TARC package with the parts, an Estes altimeter (yes, they'd have to get the NAR to certify it, but they presumably have some influence), and an assortment of AP motors would have been a huge seller. Instead, the teams are all going out and either buying kits just for the parts, or ordering parts from somebody like BMS or Discount Rocketry, and AT is getting all the juicy motor revenue. Estes needs to be a key player in programs like TARC and Scouting, because those programs drive a relatively high number of purchases compared to the average non-hobbyist consumer.
"Mr. Estes has agreed to serve on the Board of Advisors for Estes Industries LLC. "
How extremely cool is that?
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