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Post by Rob Albritton on Jul 27, 2018 16:22:06 GMT -5
American Z Lines was informed today that our primary producer of locomotives and rolling stock has closed their factory. We are working on moving our tooling to other factories at this time, but this will cause delays with our previously announced products.
This is having a serious impact on the entire industry – we are not alone in this situation – and we have no other information or forecast. Please note, that we recently received several shipments of spare parts prior to the factory closure. As a result, we will be able to support our current product line for the foreseeable future.
While we regret these delays, we do appreciate your continued support and business. AZL is in a strong financial position and will continue. We will provide updates as we get more information.
Rob and Hans
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Post by mgatdog on Jul 27, 2018 16:33:38 GMT -5
That’s nice.
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Post by mgatdog on Jul 27, 2018 16:36:07 GMT -5
Hope you guys don’t fade away like MTL.
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Post by zscalehobo on Jul 27, 2018 17:09:05 GMT -5
Thanks for the notice.
Best of luck with the transition; and knowing AZL's attention to detail, I am sure we will see even better AZL locomotives and rolling stock in the future.
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Post by Rob Albritton on Jul 27, 2018 18:09:57 GMT -5
Hope you guys don’t fade away like MTL. We will not fade away. Several of our planned 2018/2019 season products are already delivered at our warehouse. |
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Post by neverland on Jul 27, 2018 19:50:04 GMT -5
Hope you guys don’t fade away like MTL. We will not fade away. Several of our planned 2018/2019 season products are already delivered at our warehouse. Do they include your Js??? |
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Post by Commodore on Jul 27, 2018 20:35:57 GMT -5
Thanks for what you both have done for all of us. Hope this goes well for the both of you. Things do seem to work out for the best. ...in the longer term. Best of luck! ...And Thanks again.
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Post by Greg Elmassian on Jul 27, 2018 21:37:39 GMT -5
Since they closed their doors, can you share who the company is/was?
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Post by Hans Riddervold (AZL) on Jul 27, 2018 21:55:54 GMT -5
As Robert stated, we have already contacted other manufacturers. This is a long process and we will give updates as we can. Again the really good news is that we have had a policy to over order and have plenty of inventory.
The name of the company that is shutting down is AFFA.
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Post by Hans Riddervold (AZL) on Jul 27, 2018 21:58:59 GMT -5
We have also communicated that we will announce new products at the upcoming NTS in Kansas City. Until we have secured a new manufacturer we have to postpone the announcements.
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Post by Rob Albritton on Jul 27, 2018 22:38:50 GMT -5
Since they closed their doors, can you share who the company is/was? AFFA was the name of the company. The owner has serious health problems, and no path of succession. They were also a very significant supplier to Atlas, who made a similar public announcement today. Several other major model railroad producers were clients of AFFA, but out of respect for their businesses privacy, I will not name them unless they make a public statement of their own. The factory was a major supplier to the entire industry. The closing was unexpected and sudden. This will cause disruptions in all scales. Do they include your Js??? Unfortunately, the N&W "J" Brass Steam Locomotive is now delayed indefinitely. |
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Post by markm on Jul 27, 2018 23:55:15 GMT -5
If they are such a major supplier to so many manufacturers, why not form a consortium and buy them?
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Post by Hans Riddervold (AZL) on Jul 28, 2018 2:11:29 GMT -5
That is a good question that we also have thought about. But the situation is complex and you need the expertise that is there. I recon that most employees have already left the company. If we only had some heads up, we may have had a chance to act. We got the news only 24 hours ago.
But we are already pursuing other manufacturers.
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Post by ciccino on Jul 28, 2018 3:06:50 GMT -5
News about the J class project broke my heart  . This was altogether saddening and unexpected. On the other hand I am glad to hear that, like Invictus, you feel the master of your fate and the captain of your soul! Fingers crossed, and of course my prayers go to your ill business partner and his family. |
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Post by mgatdog on Jul 28, 2018 10:52:25 GMT -5
Since they closed their doors, can you share who the company is/was? AFFA was the name of the company. The owner has serious health problems, and no path of succession. They were also a very significant supplier to Atlas, who made a similar public announcement today. Several other major model railroad producers were clients of AFFA, but out of respect for their businesses privacy, I will not name them unless they make a public statement of their own. The factory was a major supplier to the entire industry. The closing was unexpected and sudden. This will cause disruptions in all scales. Do they include your Js??? Unfortunately, the N&W "J" Brass Steam Locomotive is now delayed indefinitely. Ouch Wonder if it’s same co building more SD40-2 for the other z scale guys . Which hasn’t been release cause chassis didn’t pass there wants? If so no SD 40-2 them . Like Markm said “ Get use to just F 7’s from them “. |
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. This was altogether saddening and unexpected.