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I just received a copy of an official announcement via a friend in EU who is associated with model railway distribution - The final confirmation of details of the takeover of Fleischmann by the same company that rescued Roco - talked about for a while but awaiting approval, it will acording to the announcement definately proceed now(Modelleisenbahn Holding GmbH of Austria).
The announcement put much of the blame for problems on the insistence of FL on doing their own thing with digital and not working with industry standards, and also cited the lack of investment in truly new models over recent years.... I wonder if this means that FLM digital will disappear? Personally I think the possible demise of FLM digital no bad thing, as it always seemed silly to reinvent the wheel, but if so I'm sorry for those who invested heavily in it...
Not much more info other than the announcement made a point that the FL factory in Germany will certainly close as part of this arrangement. No idea whether this means that FL and Roco may be made in the same place, or that it will become yet another "Eastern brand" with Chinese production.
Both a shame and a blessing I think - a shame because its one of the more influential brands with a proud history and a blessing in that if the new owners turn them round as solidly as they have Roco, then there will be exciting and positive things to come... as Roco and FL in one set of "well managed & cashed up hands" will be a powerful combination!
Richard
The announcement put much of the blame for problems on the insistence of FL on doing their own thing with digital and not working with industry standards, and also cited the lack of investment in truly new models over recent years.... I wonder if this means that FLM digital will disappear? Personally I think the possible demise of FLM digital no bad thing, as it always seemed silly to reinvent the wheel, but if so I'm sorry for those who invested heavily in it...
Not much more info other than the announcement made a point that the FL factory in Germany will certainly close as part of this arrangement. No idea whether this means that FL and Roco may be made in the same place, or that it will become yet another "Eastern brand" with Chinese production.
Both a shame and a blessing I think - a shame because its one of the more influential brands with a proud history and a blessing in that if the new owners turn them round as solidly as they have Roco, then there will be exciting and positive things to come... as Roco and FL in one set of "well managed & cashed up hands" will be a powerful combination!
Richard