What is happening at Brooklin? See link

Asking Brooklin to switch from white metal models to resin models would be like asking the best ice cream stand in town to stop making ice cream and change all their operations, setups, and equipment to start making sour cream.

Crafting white metal models is an art, and although I do like the resin models I have, they just don't give me the craftsmanship and exclusivity that a white metal model does.

I want stuff that not a lot of other people have.

I wish all the Brooklin employees good luck, well wishes, and good health, and I sincerely hope they can pull through this and come out the other side a better and stronger company, and I plan on supporting Brooklin until their last model car.

I understand that the three additional colors of the ElMo '68 Cobra Jet sold out within 40 minutes of the announcement last weekend (I inquired -well after the 40 minutes expired!!!).    That would indicate that there's still a very viable market for the right quality at the right price of the right models in the right quantities. I like the prior comment that different types of models have different pros and cons; I have a small (relative to some that post regularly on this board) collection of vintage diecast, modern resin and Brooklins. I enjoy them all, for slightly different reasons. To me, detail and accuracy of course matter, but there are other reasons that Brooklins bring so much to the table. I wish Brooklin/SMTS all the best in this next chapter - it would be a shame if they had to close up shop so close to their 50th anniversary in '24.  

Posted by: @ed-davis

Working for over 40 years in the telecommunications industry, I am very familiar with down sizing, consolidations, mergers, etc. and the effects on the people. To those no longer with Brooklin, I wish you the best in your future activities, and thanks for the model cars. To those still with Brooklin and SMTS, I wish you many years making those model cars.

I worked for what ultimately became Verizon for 26 years. I survived 52 layoffs...

@ed-glorius 

I started with the Western Electric part of AT&T. Then went through several changes including Lucent, Alcatel-Lucent, and finally Nokia. I lost count of the number of layoffs I survived.

And I survived 32 years in the British car industry from Leyland Motor Sales to British Leyland to Jaguar Rover Triumph to Jaguar Cars and ultimately Jaguar Land Rover North America.    Plenty of name changes and layoffs along the way but it was still was an interesting career in what was as much my hobby as a career.

@graeme-ogg 

I'm pretty sure that anything is "financially viable" to a billionaire. He decided he wanted another hobby, and now he doesn't.

What a shame to treat people who have worked hard for so long like just so much to toss out. I feel bad for them.

@lloyd-mecca You missed the point. Investors no matter they may be wealthy are always looking very closely for return on investment. Brooklin is a niche market product not able to compete about quality and detail with what the actual market has to offer. 

A business that is not profitable cannot operate for years with "benefactors" no matter they believe in a product for its exclusivity. They have to make decisions when its time to pull the plug. Brooklin never developed new products to reinvent itself and diversify its business and management is more to blame than the investors. 

@nickies 

Sad, but true.