Having spent the last few days checking out the Bachmann European sites as well as the Bachmann Chinese site I can not help but wonder why there are significantly fewer locomotives being produced for the North American market than the Europeon and Asian markets.
This is very similar to what happened to Rivarossi/Hornby and also Mehano, Both of those manufacturers pared back and concentrated on markets other than the North American market.
Don't worry - the sky isn't falling. Bachmann averages at least one or two new locomotives a year in all scales (which includes Large Scale which isn't exactly a booming market at the moment!). Bachmann can bring back older models after the market has had a chance to absorb previous production runs. A product line of close to a thousand items isn't exactly anemic.......
In a slow economy you can't expect to see hordes of new items every year.
Quote from: Yardmaster on May 23, 2013, 06:47:55 PM
Don't worry - the sky isn't falling. Bachmann averages at least one or two new locomotives a year in all scales (which includes Large Scale which isn't exactly a booming market at the moment!). Bachmann can bring back older models after the market has had a chance to absorb previous production runs. A product line of close to a thousand items isn't exactly anemic.......
In a slow economy you can't expect to see hordes of new items every year.
Thank you for providing facts.
Rich
I would like to add that we have been making great strides in breathing new life into older items by retooling them and adding new features. A prime example being the "Sound Value" series. We have made DCC/16 bit digital sound very affordable to the delight of novice and experienced modeler alike. Trust me when I say we are more interested in being innovative than just pushing the same old types of items out the door and we have a whole lot of new and exciting items planned for the future. Bachmann announces more new items every July at the NMRA convention than just about any other manufacturer.
I really wonder if Bachmann is aware that there is a shortage at present, and has been for at least 6 months. The Spectrum Heavy 4-8-2 was one of the best running HO locomotives produced in the last few years.
Why has Bachmann not re-released that model? While I myself do not need any additioinal Spectrum Heavy 4-8-2's as I have accumulated 4, with sound just as they were being phased out.
The Spectrum 10 Wheeler is another engine that is in sort supply, another gem that Bachmann discontinued.
Well, I see Model Power is releasing the Mantua locomotives again, their latest releases now include sound as well.
Quote from: Yardmaster on May 23, 2013, 07:46:30 PM
I would like to add that we have been making great strides in breathing new life into older items by retooling them and adding new features. A prime example being the "Sound Value" series. We have made DCC/16 bit digital sound very affordable to the delight of novice and experienced modeler alike. Trust me when I say we are more interested in being innovative than just pushing the same old types of items out the door and we have a whole lot of new and exciting items planned for the future. Bachmann announces more new items every July at the NMRA convention than just about any other manufacturer.
Actually had my sound value 2-6-0 escorting tourists around the layout last night.
all I can say is, keep doing what you're doing. Let the other companies price themselves out of the market. Bachmann to-day is where Athearn was in the 1970s and 1980s: producing a reasonably priced, reliable line of trains. And because of this, my loyalties have changed.....
Quote from: Pacific Northern on May 24, 2013, 01:44:36 AM
The Spectrum Heavy 4-8-2 was one of the best running HO locomotives produced in the last few years.
Why has Bachmann not re-released that model?
I don't believe anyone has said that it will not be re-released in the future. Items need to be retired for a period of time in order for the market to absorb what has already been produced and for demand for them to build. Bachmann keeps track of what the dealers can sell and schedules production accordingly.
Quote from: Yardmaster on May 24, 2013, 08:43:43 AM
I don't believe anyone has said that it will not be re-released in the future. Items need to be retired for a period of time in order for the market to absorb what has already been produced and for demand for them to build. Bachmann keeps track of what the dealers can sell and schedules production accordingly.
I would respectfully disagree with that business model as it assumes that supply and demand follows a predictable pattern when it comes to model railroading. It also assumes that demand is highly specific. If I need a pair of 4-10+10-6 steamers for my layout and ACME's model is unavailable and out of production for the moment, maybe I'll wait a couple of years for it, but most likely I'll go over to APEX and buy a pair of their 4-8+8-4s instead because I want / need them now, not at some undefined time in the future.
A constant, steady supply of models - especially those of broad appeal to any number of railroads (prototype and freelanced) - would seem a better way of both keeping the customer happy and keeping the customer, period. Perhaps you recall the Golden Age when a certain company's blue boxes packed hobby shop shelves? Then again, those boxes - like local model railroad hobby shops themselves - are a fading memory. :-\
One must keep in mind that in order to produce a specific model a certain number of them must be produced. If a manufacturer does not feel the market can absorb this number they cannot produce it. This is just good business sense!
Quote from: Yardmaster on May 24, 2013, 01:32:10 PM
One must keep in mind that in order to produce a specific model a certain number of them must be produced. If a manufacturer does not feel the market can absorb this number they cannot produce it. This is just good business sense!
Again, thanks for the Facts.
Rich
Quote from: Yardmaster on May 24, 2013, 01:32:10 PM
One must keep in mind that in order to produce a specific model a certain number of them must be produced. If a manufacturer does not feel the market can absorb this number they cannot produce it. This is just good business sense!
YM-
I think I can safely say that the large majority of modelers are sufficiently aware of the realities of running a model production company to understand that Bachmann, and all of your competitors, cannot produce every item continuously or bring out dozens of new products year after year. Sure, some of us get a bit frustrated that the whatever we want is out of stock and may not show up again for a couple of years, but that doesn't mean we will reject the producer or permanently take our business elsewhere. Bachmann's business plan is obviously keeping you in operation and allowing you to continue to produce a quality product at a reasonable price. I, for one, appreciate the fine models you offer, and I believe I am far from alone in that. Keep up the good work.
-- D