Craig Anderton's Sound, Studio, and Stage

[miden]

I am looking to buy some new Mackie gear, but I have been reading some threads here that suggest Mackie may be going "belly-up" soon.

Is this really true? Is there any more news out of the USA? We hear so little down here, and when we do its usually 6 months old by the time it trickles through.

Thanks

[Richard King]

It appears not....

http://www.musicincmag.com/News/2009/090122/090122_loud.html

Loud Expands Supply Chain, Dispels Bankruptcy Rumors

Loud Technologies recently announced two new contract manufacturing (CM) partners and the reallocation of production for certain EAW and Mackie products across its worldwide supply chain.

The expansion helps replace capacity lost when the prior CM for those products discontinued operations in December 2008. Meanwhile, supplies of all other EAW and Mackie products — as well as Alvarez, Ampeg, Crate and Martin branded products — continue uninterrupted, as they are manufactured by other Loud CM partners.

More

[miden]

Hmm, that was early 2009. The threads I have read are in December 2009...Plus that article seems more like "spin" from a CEO rather than an objective outsiders review of the position.

[Richard King]

Oops. Missed the date. Since they aren't a public company anymore (at least not on the NASDAQ) about all you will get is company spin. You could buy some research reports: http://finance.yahoo.com/q/rr?s=LTEC

[timmit65]

Well they did have several booths at NAMM. I do know a person in their sales management team and he told me they wanted to go private (like GC did). He told me nightmares about the hoops they had to jump through, being a public company, in the post Sarbanes–Oxley world. That said, we all know they've had a hard time, but I'm seeing their products in stores and contractors (as much as you can with contractors). I'm a Rep that calls on plenty of each. Now for the good news for everyone. They seem to have realized that they shouldn't be selling guitars. They have given control of Alavrez back to St. Louis Music. Remember they sold the small goods biz (St Louis Music) to US Band an Orch last Nov. and they hired a lot of former employees to run it! My understanding is that Loud keeps the IP, but hands control to SLM. SLM only pays a royalty to Loud for every one made. Loud did introduce new Mackie and Ampeg products at NAMM, but no Crate. I predict they'll send Crate to SLM next. It's been several years since they introduced any new Crate products. That said even if things went south again, I couldn't see the name go anywhere. Peavey, Fender, or QSC would buy the Name and IP. I know Fender had an offer when Loud bought them. They may be short on cash after buying Kaman, but QSC seems to have a lot of cash right now. I know more Info than you require, but I couldn't stop.

[miden]

No not at all Timmit.. Thats good info...So from what you are saying they do not SEEM to be going bankrupt anytime soon. I guess if they financed booths at NAMM, it cannot be all bad...

I just got a bit "antsy" about buying this new product after reading other comments.

Now as long as the gear is as good as the old Mackie, no problems

Thanks for that

[BushmasterM4]

I think all manufacturers are going through some tough times. Ive been eyeing the new Mackie 1640i (I have the 1640 and a Mackie MCU) and based on those products, I have no problems buying new Mackie stuff. If they go under they go under. If anything needs repaired there is a great shop here in the USA that repairs Mackie stuff and mods it.

[miden]

I think all manufacturers are going through some tough times. Ive been eyeing the new Mackie 1640i (I have the 1640 and a Mackie MCU) and based on those products, I have no problems buying new Mackie stuff. If they go under they go under. If anything needs repaired there is a great shop here in the USA that repairs Mackie stuff and mods it.

LOL, yeah but not here in Oz

[Coaster]

i still wouldnt buy mackie, even in this forum miden.

[miden]

Yeah Coaster after all the great advice I have received, I now agree as I have decided to go with an Allen and Heath Zed12 FX instead

The consensus against Mackie (LOUD) was pretty overwhelming. And not just on the Harmony C fora either.

Its a bit bigger, but i have not read one bad word about the A+H gear....I just need to get a decent firewire i/f now

Cheers
Dennis

[Duddits]

Of the few people in this forum who would actually know what's going on, none of them have chimed in.... wonder what that means?

[spokenward]

Of the few people in this forum who would actually know what's going on, none of them have chimed in.... wonder what that means?

This thread is a little creepy. If you search Google with the More Options (time filter) on you really won't see any rumors other than a cross-posting in the Live forum and the perpetually angry Tracktion users posting on a competitive mfrs. site. I'd like just a little more substance with my speculation.

[BushmasterM4]

This thread is a little creepy. If you search Google with the More Options (time filter) on you really won't see any rumors other than a cross-posting in the Live forum and the perpetually angry Tracktion users posting on a competitive mfrs. site. I'd like just a little more substance with my speculation.

Yep. Must be disgruntled ex-employees or a consumer who got a defective unit. Thats gonna happen with all manufacturers. Hell I have Behringer stuff that works just fine. :thu:

[Jotown]

Of the few people in this forum who would actually know what's going on, none of them have chimed in.... wonder what that means?

Shhhhhhhhh.............

[miden]

Well, with respect, why do these smart#rses not say anything and instead try to help someone who does NOT know what is going on????

Instead of pontificating lordly at the end as if they are in on some big secret that only approved members of their "gang" can know about???

[Coaster]

This thread is a little creepy. If you search Google with the More Options (time filter) on you really won't see any rumors other than a cross-posting in the Live forum and the perpetually angry Tracktion users posting on a competitive mfrs. site. I'd like just a little more substance with my speculation.

huh? check their stock prices.

[spokenward]

huh? check their stock prices.

thanks, I thought they went private. Guess not. They went to the Pink Sheets.

http://finance.yahoo.com/q?s=LTEC.PK

[MikeRivers]

A trusted friend at Mackie told me at the NAMM show that it looked like by the end of 2009 things were solidly on an upswing. But this only means (to me) that they're not going to close the doors. They have some new products in the works, and that's where their focus is.

When it comes down to counting the beans, it's more profitable to them to release a new product and have it sell well than to spend engineering hours writing new drivers for discontinued products. When a company needs to get ahead on their balance sheet, profit often comes ahead of good will. There will be some grumbling and disgruntled "formerly faithful" customers who swear they'll never buy another Mackie product, but hopefully there will be enough income from new customers who don't believe the "rumors" that they'll get solidly back into the groove.

But of course I know nothing.

[BushmasterM4]

Thanks Mike

[miden]

Trouble is all this so-called inside info comes way too late. Where were these comments before?

All too easy to be an expert afterwards hey!