Black Widow

[Ben]

Just a heads up that sadly Black Widow might not be around for much longer.

They've closed one of their 2 shops and things really arnt looking good, which is a huge shame as they make some really good quality products.

Apparently they started supplying Ironman unbranded drawer systems and ARB, who were their biggest distributor/retailer found out and told them where to go.

Ironman then went to China and got the Black Widow drawers copied (like most of their other products) and then told Black Widow they didn't need any more drawer systems.

So pretty much over night Black Widow lost almost their entire distribution network.

 

[Charlie]

That's a real shame, as you say Black Widow drawers are really good quality.

 

[Gary Stockton]

Another reason for me to not use IM products - unethical ....

 

[Ben]

The auction was advertised in last weeks national newspaper for all of Black Widows Machinery, tools, forklift, 70 series LandCruiser pick up and a 30ft off road caravan.

They had some really nice, expensive machines, many of which were CNC. They had a 130 ton brake press that was apparently massive!

Very sad to see them go under and its especially bad for the small town of New Gisborne who now have 30 employed people!

 

[Paddler Ed]

I'd read about this on 4x4 earth, but forgot about Ben's earlier post... how "industry" is that first post?

There is something to be said for trying to expand via a national chain compared to staying small... have a look at Drifta's business model, and their kit... not the lightest, but has a great reputation.

 

[Gary Stockton]

Pity. But unfortunately more and more specialist niche manufacturers in Oz are being over-run by the Chinese knock-off stuff. Proximity doesn't help really.

 

[Paddler Ed]

I've been talking to my local outdoor shop who is expecting price rises of up to 25% (at the moment) compared to last years stock because of the drop in the Aussie Dollar; between ordering stock and receiving it the dollar had slipped another AU$0.10 against the US$, so compared to last year when he was buying stock at AU$1 = US$1.10, it's now nearer AU$1 = US$0.78... so a BIG difference, and as the Chinese Yuan is linked to the Dollar, the price of imported cr@p is going to sky rocket; good news for the remaining small Australian companies who have a large local content, not so good for those who import a lot from overseas.