Posted 2006-07-28 1:30 PM (#45579 - in reply to #45577) Subject: RE: Standby for an important announcement in the trailer world.
Elite Veteran
Posts: 1160 Location: Denver Colorado
We want to have the straight facts before the rumors fly. I couldn't verify the rumors about Winebego etc. But official notice came yesterday there is a merger between two major trailer companies pending stock holder approval.
Posted 2006-07-28 1:40 PM (#45584 - in reply to #45577) Subject: RE: Standby for an important announcement in the trailer world.
Elite Veteran
Posts: 1160 Location: Denver Colorado
I guess we won't have an announcement I'm glad we all know how to use search engines. Were going to give you the press release directly from Featherlite, but since it happened yesterday, why bother. I just like to quote the source.
It is true and a big story to the horse trailer world that Featherlite is merging to become a subsidiary of Universal. That will be one BIG company. I thought smaller companies would be merging by now, but was surprised with the larger ones doing it.
Horse trailers are a very niche market. Small companies doing things right are surviving well, along with the large ones. Makes you feel good about Capitalism.
Posted 2006-07-28 2:27 PM (#45589 - in reply to #45577) Subject: RE: Standby for an important announcement in the trailer world.
Elite Veteran
Posts: 1160 Location: Denver Colorado
Personaly I don't see where anything is lost from the merger, some dealers will be able to sell more brands. Other companies might merge as defence against volume. I would think more RV companies would be interested in joining the horse market with LQ sales.
Posted 2006-07-28 2:38 PM (#45594 - in reply to #45577) Subject: RE: Standby for an important announcement in the trailer world.
Regular
Posts: 51 Location: Grundy Center, IA
I'm curious as to what Universal's plans are for Featherlite. They were marketing Sooner as an upper end trailer, with the Exiss trailers as more of an entry level aluminum trailer, and then Miley as their steel trailers. I would consider Featherlite and Exiss comparable, but Featherlite also has the steel trailers, so it will be interesting to see how this plays out.
Posted 2006-07-28 6:53 PM (#45611 - in reply to #45586) Subject: RE: Standby for an important announcement in the trailer world.
Expert
Posts: 2689
Originally written by farmbabe on 2006-07-28 2:17 PM
OK so how deos this affect the horse trailer user/buyer?
It doesn't.
Your trailer will probably work the same tomorrow as it did yesterday, so will mine.
If you need parts for trailers built by any of the companies involved - it could be a mess until they consolidate (or somehow rationalise) their logistics systems. Not just having the bits, but tying their ordering and pricing systems together. They'll probably say that things will be "seamless" to the customer - Ha !
At replacement time you'll have more brands to chose from on the same dealers' lot, though they'll probably look a lot more alike than they do now {GM clones, Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, etc.}
Yes, old news indeed, and not at all important.
(-:
Posted 2006-07-29 10:08 AM (#45629 - in reply to #45611) Subject: RE: Standby for an important announcement in the trailer world.
Regular
Posts: 98 Location: Midwest USA
You are correct on the parts situation.....I was selling Sooner when Universal bought out Sooner...When they cleaned out the Duncan,OK factory where Sooner was....they pretty much "pitched" all the parts inventory....So,if you had a Revolution or a SE model,there was no parts...so when you needed something they would send you an Exiss part to try to fix the problem....UGLY SITUATION!!!!! I hope they learned something as far as taking over a factory but being able to take care of the existing customer base which Featherlite has and not blow them off as "not my problem..old news" type of deal....
Posted 2006-07-29 12:48 PM (#45635 - in reply to #45611) Subject: RE: Standby for an important announcement in the trailer world.
Veteran
Posts: 202 Location: North Texas
"Barriers to entry" in the industry are relatively few. Horse trailers are manufactured from relatively standardized parts (axels, brakes, latches, lights, etc.) Manufacturing a horse trailer is not rocket science. That would normally preserve/promote an industry with many different manufacturers. One of the major weaknesses of this model (from a mass marketing point of view) is the weak dealer/distribution channel. "Weak dealers" can be defined MANY ways but manufacturers need a dealer network that maintains a broad and deep inventory and moves/sells trailers. Manufacturers also need "full service" service departments in those dealerships.
I think there will be further consolidaton in this industry . . . time will prove me right or prove me wrong.
Posted 2006-07-29 2:23 PM (#45644 - in reply to #45635) Subject: RE: Standby for an important announcement in the trailer world.
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 385 Location: high desert, CA.
Hmmmm... I have a "Classic" Westerner, 3 horse, slant load. Bumper pull. My dealer whom i also can call friend, has lots of stock, but no service area except prep. I had to go to another town to get professional installation of my braking setup, and a heavier hitch. It was told to me by my friend and sales person, that getting GOOD work done on a horse trailer is difficult, as so many "Mechs" have no real experience with the proper way to setup bearings, brakes, and hitch weights and balance. He warned me to be sure and keep an eye on torque of my lug bolts for at least the first 250 miles, adjust brakes and lube bearings at least once a year, ( depending on distance towed and load ), and keep the rig at least rinsed out to stop corrosion. I LOVE my trailer, and tow it a lot as it is also how I go to get hay for my stock. Does anyone have any points on other things to keep up on for mainteance?
Standby for an important announcement in the trailer world.
Hmmmm... I have a "Classic" Westerner, 3 horse, slant load. Bumper pull. My dealer whom i also can call friend, has lots of stock, but no service area except prep. I had to go to another town to get professional installation of my braking setup, and a heavier hitch. It was told to me by my friend and sales person, that getting GOOD work done on a horse trailer is difficult, as so many "Mechs" have no real experience with the proper way to setup bearings, brakes, and hitch weights and balance. He warned me to be sure and keep an eye on torque of my lug bolts for at least the first 250 miles, adjust brakes and lube bearings at least once a year, ( depending on distance towed and load ), and keep the rig at least rinsed out to stop corrosion. I LOVE my trailer, and tow it a lot as it is also how I go to get hay for my stock. Does anyone have any points on other things to keep up on for mainteance?