AL - Simmons Bilt!

[Cooperson]

Just spotted Al's new logo on their site and Facebook page. Anyone know anything about this?

 

[ButteMT61]

"We built this one all by ourselves™"

 

[Edward]

It's been mentioned several times on the Aero trial update thread and several others that AL changed its registered company name to Simmonds Bilt some time ago. Presumably they were sitting on that for the right time to rebrand and relaunch the company. Makes sense as a business move, given the background of the Lauder trial.

 

[Sloan1874]

Well that makes all the difference, doesn't it? Oh, wait a second, no it doesn't it.

They changed their name back at the start of the year - glad to see they had so much confidence in the strength of WL's defence - I'm surprised it's taken this long, tbh.

 

[pawineguy]

From the new "About Us" section:

"This transformation has been in the planning for a considerable time, although we have always continually reviewed and modified our patterns, based on materials used and customer feedback, we also introduced some time ago into our team, time served pattern technicians, experts in their field, to work alongside our specialists ensuring the classic vintage style is in no way compromised by an up to date comfortable fit. This together with sourcing new materials and hardware that is both befitting of such a prestigious name but also hardwearing so the garments we build today are still around for decades to come."

 

[Sloan1874]

That's a mouthful. They seem to be strangers to punctuation. So, an expensive re-branding exercise then - new labels, website design and packaging generally. Can we expect a whole new set of designs as well?
Oh, and "time-served pattern technicians"? As opposed to their pattern technician who is currently serving time?

 

[pawineguy]

So, an expensive re-branding exercise then - new labels, website design and packaging generally. Can we expect a whole new set of designs as well?

That's the million dollar question. If I was advising them on their marketing I would have strongly preferred something else besides a name change announcement. That's the time you hit the potential customers with "and here's what we mean, look at our new models X,Y and Z... more to come!"

 

[Sloan1874]

I suspect the irony that the jacket they've named the company after is a rip-off of the Aeromarine design is lost on them too...

 

[pawineguy]

That's a mouthful. They seem to be strangers to punctuation. So, an expensive re-branding exercise then - new labels, website design and packaging generally. Can we expect a whole new set of designs as well?
Oh, and "time-served pattern technicians"? As opposed to their pattern technician who is currently serving time?

And using the term "time served" - that doesn't translate very well in the American vernacular.

 

[ButteMT61]

OK, I found this blurb that must have been replaced - shortened it for posting here...

Welcome to the home of the Simmons Bilt, rated by many as manufacturers of the best and the toughest leather jackets on the planet.

This site displays our extensive range of high grade Chromexcel Front Quarter Horsehide, Vegetable tanned full grain Italian Horsehide, Vegetable tanned Goatskin and Steerhide Leather Jackets alongside our unequalled recreations of RAF, USN and USAAF Military Flying Jackets. Every Simmons Bilt jacket is manufactured on the premises here in Scotland where each garment is made from start to finish by an individual machinist, each taking immense pride in his or her work, there is no production line at Simmons Bilt.

While enthusiasts are only too aware that many original pieces of vintage clothing have become collectors items, with museum quality pieces reaching prices that preclude every-day wear, what is not so well known is that many of these classic items are still available new today, some having been in almost continuous production, whilst others have been lovingly and painstakingly remanufactured using authentic materials...

Not sure, but it sounds familiar?

*It's a joke. http://www.aeroleatherclothing.com

 

[Sloan1874]

 

[nick123]

Wasn't Simmons Bilt an old jacket manufacturer?

 

[Sloan1874]

Yep. Oakland-based. "This transformation has been in the planning for a considerable time" - Really? Does swapping "AL" on your front page for "SB" really count as "transformation"? :eusa_doh:

 

[nick123]

Yep. Oakland-based

Go Warriors

 

[Fanch]

At a time when Aero, ELC, JL, GW, and even BK seem to be gaining traction, one has to wonder whether AL/Simmons-Bilt is losing market share no matter what they might call themselves. [huh]

 

[AdeeC]

At a time when Aero, ELC, JL, GW, and even BK seem to be gaining traction, one has to wonder whether AL/Simmons-Bilt is losing market share no matter what they might call themselves. [huh]

And their prices are consistently lower than the competition. In particular undercutting Aero in all aspects of models and customisation etc; Either they are high volume sellers(not likely), struggling to get customers or SA has deep pockets and thinks he can win a long war of attrition.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

At a time when Aero, ELC, JL, GW, and even BK seem to be gaining traction, one has to wonder whether AL/Simmons-Bilt is losing market share no matter what they might call themselves. [huh]

Probably not, Fanch.
Most customers or potential customers do not have knowledge of how they tried to buy Aero while the company was being wounded, were unsuccessful, so then much of Aero was stolen instead. Most of the general public doesn't know the scoop about the trial or just how and who betrayed another jacket company from within (or in how many ways). They now intend to bury any association further by rearranging their name from more of a personal title to a rather corporate style name. Would seem like an extension of their recent statement only with a more organized scheme that needs no explanation nor admission of any deception, in the slightest, concerning any questions of past indiscretions (as if they would anyhow).

 

[devilish]

Does anyone else wonder if WL took everyone on both sides of this for ride? If he was willing to screw over the Calders, who he'd known most of his adult life, who's to say he didn't do the same to SA and all those Aero staff etc. Playing both ends against each other. Maybe in the long run he would have stolen stock/money from Alexander Leathers as well.
Maybe they aren't 'whitewashing' this so as to not be involved but to purge themselves of what WL might have done to them also?

Obviously, this is sheer conjecture and I have no facts to back it up but it doesn't seem completely out of the realms of possibility to me. It reminds me of the phrase, 'it's easier to sell a grand lie than a small one'.

 

[ButteMT61]

Does anyone else wonder if WL took everyone on both sides of this for ride? If he was willing to screw over the Calders, who he'd known most of his adult life, who's to say he didn't do the same to SA and all those Aero staff etc. Playing both ends against each other. Maybe in the long run he would have stolen stock/money from Alexander Leathers as well.
Maybe they aren't 'whitewashing' this so as to not be involved but to purge themselves of what WL might have done to them also?

Obviously, this is sheer conjecture and I have no facts to back it up but it doesn't seem completely out of the realms of possibility to me. It reminds me of the phrase, 'it's easier to sell a grand lie than a small one'.

I'd guess no because if I got took, I'd not try to bury it - I'd put it out there for all to see, clearing any doubts.

I've not seen anything like that here. But no doubt, someone will chime in with "we all handle things differently" (referring to lack of grief presented by murderers when they try to cover up).

We do handle things differently, but I'd surely let everyone know that I was not associated or knowledgeable of the crimes.

 

[Fanch]

HD my supposition regarding possible loss of market share was really posed separate and apart from Mr. Lauder's conviction. However, I do get the impression that their PR regarding the whole WL thing perhaps could have been handled better by them. I believe I recall AL making a public statement a couple of years ago on their website regarding their defense of spurious things (or words to that effect) said about Mr. Lauder, and then their recent disclaimer to the contrary, disavowing that he was ever a part of AL management. Perhaps AL would have been better served to have said nothing at all regarding Mr. Lauder on either occasion instead of what they did say? :lie: