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BK price increases again?

Sloan1874

I'll Lock Up
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8,418
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Glasgow
By a process of elimination, I'll take a thrower and say AL - ELC is busy with ELMC and Aero is busy doing its own thing, so who's left after that? [huh] But Otter makes a sound point too... :D
 

Edward

Bartender
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London, UK
It's all speculation at this point, of course. Not sure I'd read anything into the "market imbalance" talk. If it's another player in the same niche market, there's the obvious three; Aero are the one I'd certainly rule out. Hey.... what about Wested?

Edward, you old Father Ted fan you!

Down with this sort of thing!

Father Ted reference, I presume? This one made me laugh, either way. :D

Careful, now!

My Aero finally arrived not too long ago, extensively modified Perfecto-styled FQHH MC jacket. I was debating whether to go for the J106 or the Brando/Indian Ranger and the only reason why I went for the latter was because I was hoping that if I would ever own a proper D-pocket, it would have to be Eastman Roadstar, how much that jacket impressed me. Edward, if you ever decide the fate of your Eastman, could I be the first in line? :D

You'll definitely hear about it here first.
 

Foster

One of the Regulars
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261
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N.C., U.S.A.
I didn't sense a great imbalance in the Force... My powers must be weak.

On a serious note, I don't understand the secrecy. Cooperation among those in the manufacturing and marketing worlds doesn't need to be masked in secrecy, it could be a very good thing! It may even build customer confidence for both of the companies involved. Those who like Partner A might then be positive toward Partner B, and vice versa.

So... Where is this champagne and do I get a complimentary glass?
 

Sloan1874

I'll Lock Up
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8,418
Location
Glasgow
Perhaps we're thinking too literally. Here's another suggestion: Lewis Leathers. No overlap there in terms of range and styles.
 
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Sloan1874

I'll Lock Up
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8,418
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Glasgow
But then Lewis Leather has never showed any interest in A2 jackets or even in horsehide...

They don't have to, they just absorb the company into its structures, with perhaps a little direction on marketing and the web stuff, and let them get on with it. Same as any buyer would do, AL included. That said, I've always thought BK presented their jackets very well - except for that damn muzak which plays all the time...
 

Superfluous

My Mail is Forwarded Here
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3,995
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Missing in action
The current products offered by AL/Aero/Eastman have significant overlap with BK's product line. Therefore, if AL/Aero/Eastman acquired BK and aggressively promoted BK's products, that arguably would divert customers away from the acquiring company's own brand. I am not sure this makes sense, particularly where such a combination does not appear to achieve meaningful economies of scale (unless, of course, manufacturing were combined; but, if that occurred, the product distinction/differentiation would be diluted). Therefore, IMHO, the existing product line of the acquiring entity is likely different from BK's product line, such that the acquisition expands the customer base for the acquiring entity.

Thats my wild speculation.
 

Smithy

I'll Lock Up
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5,139
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Norway
Hey.... what about Wested?

Or Cirrus for that matter. After they were sold to new owners in 2009ish they made a point of saying they were looking at increasing the accuracy of their military offerings down the line.
 

scrawlysteve

One of the Regulars
Messages
213
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London
Well, the rumour I've heard is that it is Ann Summers......

.....and that with any jacket purchase a bona fide Fedora Lounger will be entitled to a free gift comprising a mini riding crop--plaited from the finest veg tanned horsehide in the world-- plus a one-half lifesize inflatable "Andy" doll.
 

Otter

One Too Many
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1,445
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Directly above the center of the Earth.
It's all speculation at this point, of course. Not sure I'd read anything into the "market imbalance" talk. If it's another player in the same niche market, there's the obvious three; Aero are the one I'd certainly rule out. Hey.... what about Wested?



Down with this sort of thing!



Careful, now!



You'll definitely hear about it here first.

Steady on there Ted!

In seriousness Aviation Leathercraft ?
 
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andyfalzon

Vendor
Messages
422
Location
europe
That's not the point. It's the tactics used. The braggadocio attitude that has always accompanied any attempt at reply or explanation about anything BK by BK.

Sorry, I don't think there's anything wrong with bombastic statements as long as they are true.
I 'll give you an example.

wwii_propaganda_posters_500_50.jpg
 

hpalapdog

One of the Regulars
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295
Location
uk
Lewis or Eastman. Anyone who has visited Ivybridge knows it's a small operation in an area where it may be hard to recruit people with the required sewing skills. Maybe BK will make the new ELMC line as well as the unique models they currently make ?
 
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Edward

Bartender
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24,736
Location
London, UK
For my money, I think it's AL, but then Lewis would make since due to the lack of overlap.

I agree AL is the most likely one - gut instinct - though certainly the "market imbalance" stuff is hyperbole at most.

Well, the rumour I've heard is that it is Ann Summers......

.....and that with any jacket purchase a bona fide Fedora Lounger will be entitled to a free gift comprising a mini riding crop--plaited from the finest veg tanned horsehide in the world-- plus a one-half lifesize inflatable "Andy" doll.

lol

Steady on there Ted!

In seriousness Aviation Leathercraft ?

An option.... seems unlikely, though - they seem to be doing well enough (as if I'd know) without any worries of accuracy....

Sorry, I don't think there's anything wrong with bombastic statements as long as they are true.
I 'll give you an example.

wwii_propaganda_posters_500_50.jpg

Yeah, see, you see "We have big guns", I see bigger compensating than the Guildford Four got.... ;)

Lewis or Eastman. Anyone who has visited Ivybridge knows it's a small operation in an area where it may be hard to recruit people with the required sewing skills. Maybe BK will make the new ELMC line as well as the unique models they currently make ?

Considered that. Both those companies seem to be chugging along nicely enough, though. I thought I heard a rumour ELMC was much more hands on than buying somewhere else and farming it out to import production, but I don't claim any inside knowledge. Lewis... I'm not seeing it. Lewis do what they do, they're not really directly competing with anyone currently. Aside from the short-lived Aero/ Ace Cafe LE range, nobody else of note is really doing that very British late 50s/ early 60s thing - the other civvy companies are much more European or American in style.
 

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