Comp bought out

[BigBlueIron]

https://www.enginebuildermag.com/2020/02/comp-performance-group-bought-by-edelbrock/

This is never a good thing in my opinion. Leads to lack of competition in the market place therefor lack of innovation.

[gt350hr]

   As long as the "venture capitol" companies are SMART enough to leave the employees in place, and the companies separate , it will work. I was a part of the Dover Corporation buy out of JE Pistons in '99 and all went smoothly ( if not BETTER) until the corporate VP over us left. His replacement was a LOSER that almost put American Racing out of business. That coupled with an unfortunate US economy crash in 2004 began a near 50% loss in sales through 2012 and caused the consolidation of the California facility to Ohio. A move they are still suffering from. IF that happens to this latest buyout the same thing will happen. Mr Gasket Co was the first to start this philosophy ( in the automotive aftermarket) and that was a loser too. The smaller niche companies all failed under the Mr. G "umbrella".
     Just this old guy's opinion / experience.
       Randy

[GJCAT427]

Actually when MR G started buying companys it was a good thing for a while. Its when he sold out is when shit started The Know It All collage boys took over things and dismanteled MR G for more return on the higher selling stuff. When The original owner got the company back he tried to right things but Failed.

[410bruce]

I wonder if this means RHS cylinder heads and products will go away? Or maybe Edelbrock will rebrand them as their own?

[Katz427]

My opinion is a private equity firm really is only looking at the best way to make money in the shortest time. If that means gutting the place to the walls, and selling everything off, then so be it. We have seen this happen, before.

[cjshaker]

One thing is for sure; in the end, it never works out well for the consumer.

[allrightmike]

   Since a good percentage of us as tridisonal automotive enthuests are in our 60's & 70's I believe this distilation of manufactures is inevitable as sadly our numbers are dwindling. Same thing is happening in the automotive magazine industry. IMO
I

[TomP]

I just found out Hilborn was bought out by Holley and moved to Bowling Green. That little blurb is mentioned in the Don Enriquez induction into Garlits Drag Racing Hall of Fame.
 I'm pretty sure it isn't a good thing when all the competing speed parts companies are merged. The Lakewood/QuickTime one sure didn't help us and all the ignition companies are now one.

[Barry_R]

Manley also got acquired by Race Winning Brands - - the same outfit that owns JE, WISECO, DIAMOND, DART, TREND, MGP, ETC

[Thumperbird]

Going along the same lines as small hardware stores, not only have big boxes taken over for the most part most younger (under 50) people don't do anything for themselves anymore much less customize a vehicle.  I have a great collection of rotary phones, anyone interested?

[Barry_R]

I also have a really nice rotary phone from the 1940s
My little brother (RIP) owned a computer company and thought it would be cool to own a teletype machine as a retro thing.  He fixed it up and had it working - and soon realized that it had nobody to "talk to"...

[AlanCasida]

Going along the same lines as small hardware stores, not only have big boxes taken over for the most part most younger (under 50) people don't do anything for themselves anymore much less customize a vehicle.  I have a great collection of rotary phones, anyone interested?

I have a 50s era rotary wall phone out in my shop that still works great.

[cjshaker]

I have a 1940s rotary phone in the house...and you'd be surprised at how many younger kids don't know how to use it. 

[babybolt]

Some youngsters can't tell time from an analog clock.  And they no longer teach cursive writing in schools.

[shady]

I have a clock in my shop I built using nixie tubes. truly the first digital clock from the sixties, unless you count the ones with the stupid wheels with the numbers painted on them. Nixie is so old even my spell checker doesn't recognize the word.