In an on-line article a German newspaper, the Südwest-Presse, is reporting that Lionel LLC may be interested in purchasing 150-year-old German train maker Märklin.
http://www.trains.com/ctt/default.aspx?c=a&id=2230
Carl
This a pretty lousy translation, but, here it is, from the German Press:
Göppingen. A good old year receiver Michael Pluta announced: the model railway manufacturer Märklin retract 2009 black.
“With full steam ahead”. The purpose of special vehicle for the 150th anniversary of Märklin is a marketing gag for receiver Michael Pluta. Actually, the insolvente model rail maker wrote black again last year. EUR 7 million profit before taxes and interest (EBIT) has Märklin earned after information the South-West press from early April to end of December 2009. For comparison: throughout year 2008 the traditional company recorded loss still EUR 18 million.
Pluta itself shall give no exact figures. Only so much: Result is clearly on the positive side, the Ulm lawyer confirmed. Pluta one reason more confidently in the new year to go: “We have made visible, what’s in Märklin”, he says. According to preliminary figures, sales belaufe in the year 2009 EUR 110 million. The goodwill transfer continuously so Pluta. That this could possibly complicate the planned sale of business Pluta cannot be seen. “This is nothing for bargain Hunter,” he stressed. Still he comes from a financial volume of EUR 100 million including the purchase price. Although prospects were abgesprungen again. Nevertheless left is Pluta. “I am not under sales pressure.”
American tradition operating and track 0 manufacturer Lionel shows interest in Märklin after South-West press information. Just before Christmas, a delegation from the company have visited production facilities in Göppingen and the Hungarian Györ, corporate insider reports. As of Ferpress, the international railway Press Association, was to learn, Märklin Sales Manager Lars was Schilling already mid-December at the invitation of Lionel in the United States.
In the plant it is with mixed feelings, but known, which consistently produce Lionel in Asia. Plu
This one reads a little better…
Göppingen. Proclaimed a good administrator Michael Pluta announced: the Marklin model railway builders has been run in 2009 in the black.
“Mit Volldampf in die Zukunft”. “Full speed ahead into the future.” That is the inscription of the special car on the 150th anniversary of Märklin. Administrator Michael Pluta said that is not just a marketing gimmick. In fact, the insolvent model railway builders said again last year they were in the black. EUR 7 million generated earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT), Marklin information SOUTHWESTERN PRESS reported from early April until the end of December 2009. For comparison, the whole year of 2008, the company still accounted for EUR 18 million loss.
Pluta wasn’t giving any exact figures. Just this: The result lies significantly in the posi
I’m trying to think what would Lionel get in this deal = the brand, presence in Europe, smaller scales?
To answer your questions (my best guess) Yes, Yes, and Yes. At least they seem to be making money right now. Lionel in Europe…and possible better availabilty of Märklin in The US. Smaller scales and other large scales, I think Märklin is still making their “Maxi” line…1/32 scale metal bodied trains. And maybe they would bring back the Märklin O scale??? Hmmmm…maybe a reintroduction of the Märklin 1/32 scale prewar 3 Rail stuff??? Then I could probably afford to add to my collection!!! The old stuff is hard to find and crazy expensive! If it keeps another company from disappearing and they can make money…I think it will be good all the way around.
underworld
Americans often spell and pronounce the name as “Marklin”. I wonder whether Lionel would acquiesce in that for the American market while keeping the original name in Germany. They might just sell in America under the Lionel name; but surely they would not suppress so historic a name entirely.
And now Lionel in the news saying… “what offer??? we didn’t make an offer!”
Only time will tell I guess. 
underworld
My comment here about what they would do with the names has been deleted. I can’t imagine why.
The last time this happened, CTT took offense at my expression of a lack of confidence in their electrical prowess, which I thought was civilly worded. Not knowing why it disappeared, I reposted it; and it went away again. I was eventually told that I should have received e-mail notices of the deletions and the reason for them. I never did, then or now.
Bob Nelson
Bob, I think that this is the thread, that you were looking for, not the one you posted this comment in.
Doug
I haven’t deleted anything in weeks, Bob, and I’m the only CTT staffer who patrols the forum. There are a handful of moderators from all the trains.com sites who also check the forum out. I’m guessing that one of them deleted it. Couldn’t tell you why, because they never report why they delete anything.
There are getting to be an awful lot of Bob’s around here[:D]
Bob (Keller),
CSwanson has Two threads that are related running, the post that Bob (Nelson) thought was deleted, is still there, in the original thread, his comment about it getting deleted is in the second thread, his post is still there, nobody deleted it.
Doug
You’re right. I thought that might be what happened and looked for another thread first, but didn’t find it. Sorry.
As Roseanne Roseannadanna used to say, “Never mind.” (I was in New York once on business during Gilda Radner’s heyday, turned on the TV, and saw the real Rose Ann Scamardella, whom I instantly recognized!)