fatboyslim 11 Posted April 16, 2005 Found this earlier, apparently Thunder Tiger are buying out Associated Electronics so that AE will be a sub-division of TTR!! Read it and weep!![][] http://www.ultimaterc.com/forums/showthrea...3&postid=394593 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
El Mexican 1 Posted April 16, 2005 What the badword?! Man, this is unexpected. What other big American racing RC companies are there left? Just Losi? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jimmy_GT-R 5 Posted April 16, 2005 I would have thought AE were far better of than Thunder Tiger, I mean what decent cars has thunder tiger got. AE produce some of the very best cars in the world, that truly is a shock. Just Losi left I think, yeah. My god what next, Kyosho buying Tamiya. lol. Better not speak too soon. [xx(][8)] Thanks James Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stulec52 50 Posted April 16, 2005 yeah, this happened about a week ago, there is a HUGE thread about it on RC Tech. Funny thing is the debate there is very Pro uSA vs the rest of the world, especially the far east. Me personally I think this will be great for Associated, and I currently own - TC4, TC3, RC10GT, NTC3, so I am quite pro Associated. Thunder Tiger's money, and Associated's know how, should be a winner ! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
terry.sc 16 Posted April 16, 2005 quote:Originally posted by Jimmy_GT-R I mean what decent cars has thunder tiger got. AE produce some of the very best cars in the world, that truly is a shock. id="quote">id="quote">Thunder Tiger actually already produce AE cars. The Associated MGT is a relabelled Thunder Tiger MTA-4, in most countries around the world only one or the other is sold. They also produce and put together all AEs read to run cars. Associated is Thunder Tigers biggest customer. AE only states their competition kits are all american. By the way Losi was actually bought out by Horizon Hobby in 2001. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stulec52 50 Posted April 17, 2005 all going the way of full size car makers where there are only really half a dozen big companies. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WillyChang 1814 Posted April 18, 2005 from: http://www.ultimaterc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=48613 quote:The remote-control model brand merchant Thunder Tiger Science and Technology on (April) 7th announced they will carry on international purchases, extending their market penetration with investment in the Samoan MANFORD holding company, and will buy remote-control model vehicle leader ASSOCIATED Corporation, creating a four-pronged global conglomerate.Lei Hu indicated that, ASSOCIATED is the only ODM customer, accounting for approximately 19%-20% of earnings, selling remote-control models estimated to account for 45% of work product. ASSOCIATED senior management intends to retire, resigning all equity holdings pursuant to non-hostile, bilateral talks. Talks have progressed smoothly, and at present the statement of intention has been signed. It is expected that the fruits of the buyout will begin to be realized in the second half of the year. Hu said that ASSOCIATED is the world's seventh largest remote-control model production merchant. Because Associated's products frequently win in world model vehicle competition, brand reputation is paramount. Last year Associated had income of approximately 2.2 million uS dollars, turning a profit of 1.6-1.7 million uS dollars. Hu pointed out that at present, the leading global R/C company crown is held by Japan's Tamiya, their yearly sales amounting to 9.7 million uS dollars, followed by Kyosho at 7.0 million uS dollars, then Futaba/OS with 5.5 million, Thunder Tiger at 2.4 million, followed by Associated. After the latest two mergers/buyouts costing 2.0 million uS dollars, Thunder Tiger expects to move into fourth place worldwide. id="quote">id="quote">Wow, did AE only turnover uS$2.2M?! And Tamiya only uS$9.7M!!!? One would have thought their advertising bills from RCCA would be more than that already... [|)] Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
theshopkeeper 39 Posted April 18, 2005 Those figures just don't add up. $2.2m turn over giving $1.6m profit doesn't sound at all likely, and the statement in the last paragraph makes no sense either - on the figures quoted TT are already in 4th position. I think the decimal point on the turn overs is moved left - i.e. Tamiya 97 million, Kyosho 70 million perhaps? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jimmy_GT-R 5 Posted April 18, 2005 Isn't even $90Million a bit low for a big company. I mean First Group(bus and train company) here in the uK has an anual turnover of over £2 billion profit. Now thats profit I'd say. Thanks James Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RETRO R/C 59 Posted April 21, 2005 Thunder tiger also make the mini 18T truck - and as mentioned by Terry - the MGT as well as all the RTR stuff.........has been this way for rather long while. Can only be a good thing. Cheers Darryn Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
davey_retro 0 Posted June 6, 2005 Those figures for associated cannot be correct $2.2 million turnover giving $1.6 million profit would make it dollar for dollar one of the most profitable company in the world at 72%. It is almost unheard of for a company to return over 60% profit on turnover. I would expect the figure is supposed to be turnover of $22 million giving a profit of $1.6 million. quote:Originally posted by Jimmy_GT-RIsn't even $90Million a bit low for a big company. I mean First Group(bus and train company) here in the uK has an anual turnover of over £2 billion profit. Now thats profit I'd say. id="quote">id="quote">Have to remember that Tamiya is a niche company aimed at a small target market (i.e. static/RC enthusiasts). First Bus provide a product/service that most people use and almost everyone in the uK has used at some point in there lives. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
