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Hobbico acquires Revell Germany

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Hobbico acquires Revell Germany
Posted by Tim Kidwell on Wednesday, February 15, 2012 11:18 AM

Hobbico Inc., based in Champaign, Ill., announced today that it has acquired Revell Germany.

Revell Germany was spun off as a separate company in 2006, and Hobbico has owned the U.S. Revell operation since 2007.

"We are pleased to reunite the Revell brand under one ownership," Hobbico President Wayne Hemming said. "Now Revell can proceed with a worldwide strategy for growth of the core plastic-model business.

"We also view this as an excellent foundation to expand the distribution of our other brands and products into the European market."

After starting the original U.S. company in 1945, Revell founder Lou Glaser established the German operation in 1956. Since then, Revell Germany has been a popular brand in Europe for plastic model kits, paints, tools and accessories. For the last four years, the company has also been a player in the European radio-control vehicle market.

"Hobbico's acquisition of Revell Germany creates an enormous opportunity for our company and our employees," Revell Germany President Hans Remfert said. "With the support of Hobbico as a strong parent company, we have a great opportunity to expand our entry into the R/C hobby segment of the European market."

Hobbico is also the U.S. importer for Japan-based Hasegawa.

 

--

Timothy Kidwell
tkidwell@firecrown.com
Editor
Scale Model Brands
Firecrown Media

 

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Posted by Medicman71 on Wednesday, February 15, 2012 11:21 AM

Hmmmm. That's interesting. Wonder what will come of that.

Building- (All 1/48) F-14A Tomcat, F-16C Blk 30, He 129

 

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Posted by carsanab on Wednesday, February 15, 2012 11:23 AM

maybe they will put out more floatie thingies......thats always a good thing......Stick out tongue

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Posted by DoogsATX on Wednesday, February 15, 2012 11:28 AM

Maybe we'll see awesome 1/32 RoG kits of things that aren't German.

OS2U Kingfisher please...

On the Bench: 1/32 Trumpeter P-47 | 1/32 Hasegawa Bf 109G | 1/144 Eduard MiG-21MF x2

On Deck:  1/350 HMS Dreadnought

Blog/Completed Builds: doogsmodels.com

 

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Posted by stikpusher on Wednesday, February 15, 2012 11:29 AM

I do hope that Revell USA brings over more RoG original molds for a Revell USA price tag.

 

F is for FIRE, That burns down the whole town!

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N is for NO SURVIVORS...

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Posted by Medicman71 on Wednesday, February 15, 2012 11:30 AM

stikpusher

I do hope that Revell USA brings over more RoG original molds for a Revell USA price tag.

I agree. Let's just hope since they own Hasegawa, we don't get those kinda prices.

Building- (All 1/48) F-14A Tomcat, F-16C Blk 30, He 129

 

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  • From: Monster Island-but vacationing in So. Fla
Posted by carsanab on Wednesday, February 15, 2012 11:31 AM

DoogsATX

Maybe we'll see awesome 1/32 RoG kits of things that aren't German.

OS2U Kingfisher please...

how about someone re making a 1/48 Jake.....we need another option other that that POS Nichimo put out

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Posted by Sprue-ce Goose on Wednesday, February 15, 2012 11:32 AM

I hope the new management will continue new kit research and creation by staff in Europe.

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Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, February 15, 2012 11:49 AM

Al I know is that of late RoG has been putting out some really fine kits, particularly in 72nd scale---such as the B-17G, the Halifax, Lancaster, P-47, etc...Hope this change doesn't affect this string of "hits"...

  • Member since
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  • From: Sonora Desert
Posted by stikpusher on Wednesday, February 15, 2012 12:13 PM

Medicman71

 stikpusher:

I do hope that Revell USA brings over more RoG original molds for a Revell USA price tag.

 

I agree. Let's just hope since they own Hasegawa, we don't get those kinda prices.

Medicman71

 stikpusher:

I do hope that Revell USA brings over more RoG original molds for a Revell USA price tag.

 

I agree. Let's just hope since they own Hasegawa, we don't get those kinda prices.

I doubt it. Just look at the new 1/48 Revell Ventura. If that was Hasegawa it would cost 2-3 times as much for the same subject.

 

F is for FIRE, That burns down the whole town!

U is for URANIUM... BOMBS!

N is for NO SURVIVORS...

       - Plankton

LSM

 

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  • From: Bethlehem PA
Posted by the Baron on Wednesday, February 15, 2012 12:17 PM

I don' t think it'll have a very big impact, it's really just that now, the same parent company owns both as subsidiaries.

The bigger the government, the smaller the citizen.

 

 

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Posted by mfsob on Wednesday, February 15, 2012 12:40 PM

We can but hope they won't be dumb enough to mess with what works. Still, stranger things have happened. Need I mention Lindberg?

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Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, February 15, 2012 12:49 PM

Manstein's revenge

Al I know is that of late RoG has been putting out some really fine kits, particularly in 72nd scale---such as the B-17G, the Halifax, Lancaster, P-47, etc...Hope this change doesn't affect this string of "hits"...

Oh, and the new JU88 which I just got---makes Hasegawa;s look somewhat lame...

  • Member since
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  • From: Rothesay, NB Canada
Posted by VanceCrozier on Wednesday, February 15, 2012 12:57 PM

What are the odds of RoG kits arriving on shelves of "entry level" retailers like Hobbytown / Michaels etc.??

On the bench: Airfix 1/72 Wildcat; Airfix 1/72 Vampire T11; Airfix 1/72 Fouga Magister

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Posted by Hercmech on Wednesday, February 15, 2012 1:01 PM

One can only hope they use the Ford model of using thier overseas branches to make thier North American products better. Not taking the North American stuff and downgrading thier overseas stuff.


13151015

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Posted by Tim Kidwell on Wednesday, February 15, 2012 1:32 PM

Vance,

As an associate editor for Model Retailer magazine, I had to keep close tabs on these movements. 

I can say that with regards to HobbyTown stores, what they don't purchase direct from HQ distro, they buy from other distributors, which includes Great Planes (Hobbico's distribution arm). So, at the very least, HobbyTown stores will have access to the products. Whether a manager or owner brings them in is another story. 

As far as Michael's, HobbyLobby, or other big-box style hobby/craft stores, they might carry more, but I wouldn't hold out hope that there will be a huge surge in model products due to this or any other acquisition in the hobby industry. 

Best,

TK

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Timothy Kidwell
tkidwell@firecrown.com
Editor
Scale Model Brands
Firecrown Media

 

  • Member since
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  • From: Rothesay, NB Canada
Posted by VanceCrozier on Wednesday, February 15, 2012 1:33 PM

Anything that puts more new kits on a shelf in front of kids (or grown-up kids I suppose) has got to be a good thing these days. Thanks Tim!

On the bench: Airfix 1/72 Wildcat; Airfix 1/72 Vampire T11; Airfix 1/72 Fouga Magister

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Posted by Hercmech on Wednesday, February 15, 2012 1:37 PM

Maybe they wil make RoG get rid of those end opening boxes!


13151015

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Posted by Ninetalis on Wednesday, February 15, 2012 1:46 PM

I just hope they are going to sell monogram, revell and Pro-modeller stuff down here in Europe, Because we can't get those at all around here, except for some kits like the bf 109 and p-51D, planes that other brands sell over here to....

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Posted by DoogsATX on Wednesday, February 15, 2012 1:49 PM

Hercmech

One can only hope they use the Ford model of using thier overseas branches to make thier North American products better. Not taking the North American stuff and downgrading thier overseas stuff.

As the owner of a 2012 Ford Focus (who waited literally eight years for the Euro Focus to make its way into the North American product line), I wholeheartedly agree!

Thing is, Revell USA's new kits are really pretty great - that PV-1 Ventura is an awesome kit, and if I'm not mistaken isn't the F-84G of relatively new design? I think the issue is that they rerelease so many legacy kits compared to new molds that the new stuff does little to counter the general perception of "cheap and old". 

Perhaps combining or sharing development costs and ID'ing engineering best practices, etc, will yield some faster, better development time. Who can say...I think the proof will be in what their new product pipeline looks like 12-18 months from now. Fortunately kit development timelines are a lot shorter than car timelines!

On the Bench: 1/32 Trumpeter P-47 | 1/32 Hasegawa Bf 109G | 1/144 Eduard MiG-21MF x2

On Deck:  1/350 HMS Dreadnought

Blog/Completed Builds: doogsmodels.com

 

  • Member since
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  • From: Rothesay, NB Canada
Posted by VanceCrozier on Wednesday, February 15, 2012 2:01 PM

Hercmech

Maybe they wil make RoG get rid of those end opening boxes!

Ditto  Hadn't thought of that!!

On the bench: Airfix 1/72 Wildcat; Airfix 1/72 Vampire T11; Airfix 1/72 Fouga Magister

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Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, February 15, 2012 2:32 PM

stikpusher

I do hope that Revell USA brings over more RoG original molds for a Revell USA price tag.

As far as I'm concerned RoG is a lot of model for the money and they still come under the Asian companies in terms of price, particularly the Japanese-based companies...

I have been really impressed with the level of detail and value you get from RoG of late...when you can beat a Hasegawa in terms of accuracy and detail AND in price---well, that's no mean feat...

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Posted by spuds 1 on Wednesday, February 15, 2012 2:33 PM

Good luck & much success to you in this highly competitive market place in the middle of a stagnant economy. 

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Posted by Konigwolf13 on Wednesday, February 15, 2012 2:43 PM

VanceCrozier

 Hercmech:

Maybe they wil make RoG get rid of those end opening boxes!

 

Ditto  Hadn't thought of that!!

+1

  • Member since
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Posted by Konigwolf13 on Wednesday, February 15, 2012 2:45 PM

Manstein's revenge

 stikpusher:

I do hope that Revell USA brings over more RoG original molds for a Revell USA price tag.

 

As far as I'm concerned RoG is a lot of model for the money and they still come under the Asian companies in terms of price, particularly the Japanese-based companies...

I have been really impressed with the level of detail and value you get from RoG of late...when you can beat a Hasegawa in terms of accuracy and detail AND in price---well, that's no mean feat...

I have had no complaint about any RoG kits vs price I've purchased (RoG repoping somone else's is another matter, but those prices are usually lower anyways)

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Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, February 15, 2012 2:48 PM

I wonder if they will try to out-do Airfix's Swordfish?

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  • From: Rain USA, Vancouver WA
Posted by tigerman on Wednesday, February 15, 2012 2:54 PM

I haven't bought said brand in almost 40 years!

   http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y269/wing_nut_5o/PANZERJAGERGB.jpg

 Eric 

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Posted by Sprue-ce Goose on Wednesday, February 15, 2012 3:09 PM

Manstein's revenge

 

 stikpusher:

 

I do hope that Revell USA brings over more RoG original molds for a Revell USA price tag.

 

As far as I'm concerned RoG is a lot of model for the money and they still come under the Asian companies in terms of price, particularly the Japanese-based companies...

 

I have been really impressed with the level of detail and value you get from RoG of late...when you can beat a Hasegawa in terms of accuracy and detail AND in price---well, that's no mean feat...

Definitely !! Ditto

  • Member since
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  • From: Monster Island-but vacationing in So. Fla
Posted by carsanab on Wednesday, February 15, 2012 3:24 PM

you know I bought a RoG Dornier Do-X......it was missing parts.....had to take it back...me//return a floatie thingie....it just hurt..,,I hope they fix that..

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Posted by tankerbuilder on Friday, February 17, 2012 7:47 AM

Speakingof floating thingies. I just wish they would re-release some of their old great ships one more time RoG style.You know ,sharply molded and good looking when done.I wonder what the SOYA would,ve beenlike had REVELL of the U.S.A. and,or RoG did her?Then there,s the passenger ships.I went to the SAVANNAH museum site, whatta ship! I have always thought REVELL,S was better than anyone elses. I do miss the C-3 class freighter though , plus the BRAZIL/ARGENTINA .I have built her stock-OOB,and modified her into the ANDREA DORIA and sich.Their ships modify so well.In the case of the early ones I don,t care about bottom detail , especially if it,s on a stand.No one cares about props and rudders anyway! Now that tha,s said I do also hope to see the later U.S.S. HORNET and the space recovery version again.SOON , PLEASE ?????I need to convert her to the MIDWAY, the ship I was last stationed on.Thank you REVELL, and RoG for many wonderful products. Flaws and all !By the way I am working on the very old ENTEX DORNIER DOX whatta bird !         tankerbuilder

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