W Britains Update (1 Viewer)

[jazzeum]

Sure. The big three issues I recall are delays due to changes of ownership, issues with packaging (items continually failing to pass stress tests and hence being further delayed), and comparatively larger production runs that take longer to complete before the new products can be completed.

Brendan

I frankly don’t understand some of these reasons. Until I recently retired as an attorney from one of the biggest companies in the US, I was involved in all aspects of the above cited issues.

They have been in charge of the company for a couple of years I believe. Following a sale of a company, new management has a learning curve. However, for this to take place for more than a year after the deal was closed is perplexing. Had this happened at our company, the management at this business would have, in all likelihood, been replaced.

I worked on many packaging issues over the years and for this going on two years is startling. I worked on projects involving millions of product quantities. However, we are dealing with smaller runs.

Large production issues. I’m sympathetic here but when you submit a forecast to a third party manufacturer, you’re generally bound to the forecast (although some manufacturers will try to do their best to fill quantities in excess of the forecast). What this probably means is either that they didn’t submit an accurate forecast or if they did, the manufacturer isn’t able to handle their demands. If the latter, they need to manage their suppliers better or think of having back up suppliers.

 

[rekp]

I see MKL have the figures you mentioned listed . What is strange is that with all the issues they have they release a separate set of figures in the US market to the UK market which leads you to question if there are production runs on 21 figures then why are they not universally available

Hi Everyone,

Good news for the UK Bachmann have just sent out the first instalment of the W Britains new newsletter and it looks like we will be receiving some new figures in the next couple of weeks. Mainly the balance of War Along the Nile due some time back and the last Zulu Hand to hand set and one mounted ACW figure.

Happy collecting

 

[zulucollector]

Can't speak to past issues, but the W. Britains team was at the OMSS show in Toronto yesterday. There was a family medical emergency last week that delayed their arrival at the show, but they came nevertheless. They gave a pretty frank talk on the reasons that items have been delayed and steps that have bene taking to solve the problems. Likely, they haven't yet had the chance to update their website. Personally, I'm very excited about some of their forthcoming releases.

Brendan

Agreed. Talked to Ken at the Toronto show and they seem to have now overcome the issues from the transfer of ownership (new contracts with suppliers etc) and the move to a new location. Looks like a wave of new products will be coming in the next few weeks. Ken was very transparent about the delivery issues and seemed very positive about the new releases. Was not able to attend the symposium which had some sneak peeks for upcoming releases...

 

[thebritfarmer]

I frankly don’t understand some of these reasons. Until I recently retired as an attorney from one of the biggest companies in the US, I was involved in all aspects of the above cited issues.

They have been in charge of the company for a couple of years I believe. Following a sale of a company, new management has a learning curve. However, for this to take place for more than a year after the deal was closed is perplexing. Had this happened at our company, the management at this business would have, in all likelihood, been replaced.

I worked on many packaging issues over the years and for this going on two years is startling. I worked on projects involving millions of product quantities. However, we are dealing with smaller runs.

Large production issues. I’m sympathetic here but when you submit a forecast to a third party manufacturer, you’re generally bound to the forecast (although some manufacturers will try to do their best to fill quantities in excess of the forecast). What this probably means is either that they didn’t submit an accurate forecast or if they did, the manufacturer isn’t able to handle their demands. If the latter, they need to manage their suppliers better or think of having back up suppliers.

If they are using Bachmanns production facilities then manufacturing delays are understandable. I have been waiting for a few things from Bachmann for my model railways for quite a few years now. Their production schedule is awful !

 

[rekp]

The interesting fact about the Bachmann factories is that they make more money manufacturing other peoples products rather than their own . This has led to Bachmann actively encouraging outsourcing manufacturing sites for their own products hence the delays . It is not uncommon for Bachmann to announce the years releases at the NY Toy Fair in February and then the items get released nearly 2 years later .

If they are using Bachmanns production facilities then manufacturing delays are understandable. I have been waiting for a few things from Bachmann for my model railways for quite a few years now. Their production schedule is awful !

 

[Thin Red Line]

we in the UK have received very little in 2018 and I think the UK has become a backwater, we heard at the last London show there was a container on the water from China! Did it sink? Now we are hearing next week.......

I think the issue is basically poor management, Ken can management to get Hudson and Allen stuff out on a regular basis, together with filling the WB site with secondary sellers such as prints, board games and The British Toy Soldier Company. The management of William Britains has been poor and that is why many of us have not bothered renewing our membership, e.g. few exclusives, over 11 months in 2017 before we got our club figures, no event figure at the actual event, membership figures being sold [cheaper] from the stand at London shows, lots and lots of promises and no delivery, the saga of the 88mm gun deliver has been going on almost as long as the conflict it served in! and finally lack of communication/information, Ken where are you............................. Andy from K & C is on the forum, as are JJD and T Gunn.

There are now better options in the market for my money, T Gunn, great range, release new figures every month and in close to a 100% of the time they deliver, as do JJD and K & C. Plus there are the new companies direct from China, which I have bought from, Eagle Design and War Park. I noticed on eagle design website they have an 88mm in there future, I bet it will not be over 3 years until they release it!

I do not think the current management have the drive and ability to bring this company's reputation back, they might as well start producing The Walking Dead figures, as the company is a zombie company just walking along with no direction. it is the dealers and the WB team in the UK I feel sorry for, they have nothing to sell, at the last London Show one of the WB staff has started his own separate company and has some nice dead Mahdist figures for sale.

I suppose its all a matter of choice ,I like you didn't renew as I wasn't prepared to wait that long long for a figure advertised as arriving in May nor will I preorder any more, Ive been waiting on some figures I ordered 18 months ago , Ive cancelled most of my pre orders. I do feel sorry for the UK end whenever I've dealt with them they've been very helpful
But if unlike me your okay with the above issues thats fine.
It has made me look elsewhere for the first time in the past being a solely WB collector, I hope WB produce figures that tempt me back but for now Its First Legion taking my money.

 

[jomartvr]

Hi Peiper007,
You mentioned that one of the UK WB staff started his/her own toy soldier company. What is the name of this company?
Thanks
Benjamin