Interview with Simon at Brooklin

John, thanks for the My Take. Like many others, I have been waiting for more details on the Brooklin and SMTS consolidation. I have one question, what is Simon’s title and does his responsibilities cover both Brooklin and SMTS?

Thanks John for this information; I wish them the best of luck.

@ed-davis, I'm not sure of his title but he and Keith Willaims will be overseeing the entire operation.

Great info....

But since Mr. Bulgary is the highest ranking in this, I am waiting for his comments on this.

Will he still be the highest man in the Brooklin-SMTS merger ?

Or will he be slowing leaving the scene ?

I think the latter....

@joop 

Mr. Bulgari owns both Brooklin and SMTS. He purchased them both in 2015 and saved them from going out of business.

Thank you John for this informative video....well done.

Has anyone recieved an NB Center 1946 Pontiac Torpedo from Brooklins 2nd batch yet?

I don't think they made a 2nd batch....the model has been on pre-order status since the 1st batch was made.

I have one, but I want a 2nd one.

I have been buying white metal models like they are going out of style (but John Merritt would call me an amateur).....I have been buying Brooklins, SMTS, and the whole rt. 66 line that Buz gives us, so with only those limited available sources, and the fact that collecting 1/43rd scale models is the most collected scale around the globe, why the problems?

One would think that these excellent white metal model crafters couldn't keep up with production, much less have problems selling them.....there are millions of collectors on this planet.

I hope we don't see the end of white metal model car production.

Joop, I'm pretty sure Mr.B will not be commenting. He has yet to make any public statements regarding Brooklin over the last 15 years. The man has said all he needs to say by keeping the company viable for many years, then purchasing it rather than letting it fail.

@ben-lampson Yes, worldwide there are many thousands, even millions, of collectors. But I would gather far more than 95% have no white metal models - the bulk collect diecasts. Whenever I post a Brooklin or other wm model on certain Facebook groups, many times there is a reply along the lines of: "Yes, it's nice, but too rich for my blood". Many younger collectors in Europe and Asia live in flats, so resources and space are a concern. Hence the popularity of diecast subscription plans, like the American Cars series by Hachette.

Thank you John. I appreciate you and Simon bringing us up to date on the future of Brooklin as best as it can be seen today. It's very clear that businesses across the globe today rarely avoid the twist and turns necessary to remain viable which is what we are seeing here.

Posted by: @mg-harv

@ben-lampson Yes, worldwide there are many thousands, even millions, of collectors. But I would gather far more than 95% have no white metal models - the bulk collect diecasts. Whenever I post a Brooklin or other wm model on certain Facebook groups, many times there is a reply along the lines of: "Yes, it's nice, but too rich for my blood". Many younger collectors in Europe and Asia live in flats, so resources and space are a concern. Hence the popularity of diecast subscription plans, like the American Cars series by Hachette.

What explains the seeming large popularity of 64th scale diecasts.  My Kentucky supplier seems to have a massive number of these available now.  Can't be a huge popularity of S gauge model railroading started with American Flyer.

@john-quilter 

It might be the lower cost per model and a very wide range of detailed models compared with 1/43 scale white metal cars.  Some 1/64 scale collectors started with truck models. By the late 1990s and early 2000s truck models from DCP, First Gear, and Code3 (fire trucks) were at a level of detail comparable with today’s 1/43 cars.Though I also have 1/64 scale trains, there are not enough of us to drive car and truck purchases.

@ben-lampson 

Well, I believe that has yet to be determined.

A note on perspective here.

Isn't it true that white metal models have always been expensive? Going back to the "old days" that some seem to be fond of, white metal was always significantly more expensive than diecast. The same was true when resin started to become popular due to production in China. Didn't the first resin models sell for $55-65 or so? Prices rose rapidly after that, as did the price of white metal. The higher buy-in on WM almost necessitates an older demographic. It requires collectors that have entered their prime earning years with some disposable income to lavish on their hobbies. The price of WM models has risen right along with the price of everything else. So, it should come as no surprise. It's still an area that is far more expensive than diecast or resin. It seems to me the ratios are as they have always been, roughly 3 to 1, with WM being the more expensive. 

I remember buying a Brooklin for $80 and thinking, "It's much more expensive than some of the other models I see in my hobby store (remember those?). But, I really enjoy the feel and exclusivity of these models from the UK. Then I found Motor City Models. They were $150! Who can afford that!! The guy who ran the hobby store said, "They're beautiful, but they're hard to sell." I wanted them, but at the time, I wasn't earning enough to justify the expense. I had to wait until my income matched my passion. I had to wait until I got a little older.  

I'm watching something similar occurring in 1/24 (remember that scale?). There are a lot of folks lamenting the passing of the mints and the highly detailed models that were available for $100 or so. Yet, before the mints moved on to something more profitable, their most recent releases were going for well over $200, and there was much grumbling over prices.

Harv's observation about the number of collectors in diecast is totally valid. They are the backbone of the hobby. Those folks are also enjoying the hobby. Some buy diecast or resin because that's what they enjoy. For others, it is an entry point. The WM folks are, for the most part, older folks that appreciate the qualities of WM. They've never been a majority and never will be. But, IMO, they will always be around.

@jkuvakas Just to correct a little of what John said. Resin didn't begin in China by any means. My first two handbuilts were both Porsches - one being the AMR 911 Turbo and the other a cast resin Carrera RS in Brumos colors made by Dennis Schwitzer (under the name Denzer) of Switzerland (I think). The wheels were cast in with the rest of the model, but the 'glass' was applied from the outside for a flush fit. France was a particularly fertile ground for resin models and kits (MRE, Ma Collection, MRF, Record, Provence Moulage, Starter, etc.) but there were also makers in Italy (such as those fantastic Fadini land speed record cars) and the UK (Replicast, Geoff Brown, etc.)  And today, during periods of relative calm in Kyiv, the EMC models still are being made. JPS pre-painted kits from France still appear (just bought one last year).