It is Finally Done! Bladen Composites aquires Albin's assets

[jcollins]

NJRobert and captbill,


I have no first hand knowledge but, as usual, I do have a couple of cents to throw in.

Bo Palmer has been pretty good with communication since the beginning. We have to consider, with the economy such as it is and the challenge of taking on another company, that his time to visit AOG is limited. Although I am disappointed to hear that some calls or emails have not been returned I truly don't believe it's an indication of future customer service. That being said, here are a couple of suggestions.

Mr. Palmer is a registered member of AOG. Send a PM to bopalmer.

Follow this link on the albinboats website to contact a dealer. http://www.albinboats.net/content.php?p ... dealer.php

Call Bladen Composites, the parent company, directly at 910-648-2110. http://bladencomposites.com/

Contact Joe Smith at Sassafras Harbor Marina. Joe is a great guy, a member of AOG, and our local Albin Dealer. 410-275-1144. http://www.sassafrasharbormarina.com

I don't know how much weight it will carry, if any, but drop my name and Albin Owners Group when you call or email. Please keep us updated with the results of your quest.

[Richard]

Bo Palmer never responded to my e-mail asking just that question (I also have a 2007 28 TE).

[NJRobert]

I am going to the Atlantic City Boat Show in 2 weeks and Albin is supposed to be there showing a new 28 TE. I will be asking them that question when I get there. I will keep you updated. Have you tried calling the company directly yet?

[Richard]

No, have not tried calling yet. I will wait to see what you find out in Atlantic City.

[NJRobert]

Richard,

By any chance have you been able to locate, where the center bilge pump is located on your '07 TE? I tried to find it today and it appears to be forward of the fuel tank, under the floor, with NO access to it!

Also according to Joe Smith, Bladen will look at warrantys on a case by case basis.

Robert

[Richard]

No, I have not really tried to locate it but will do than in the spring when the wrap comes off.

[Capt. Bill]

Looks like I wasn't far off! Please tell me again about giving employees extra time off, and that's why they don't respond!

All the warning signs of a failing company were there, and it is a shame that this will probably be the end of a nice design. Maybe somebody will buy the molds, but I doubt they will generate any serious buyers for new boats. I seriously doubt this boat could be marketed again and restore the buying public's confidence. Rather than promoting (28TE) the boats strengths, the previous manufacturer chose to try to inflate the price by a questionable new design. This raised the price point too high and customers had better choices for the same money. I would also add that Albin had a long history with their owners and dealers of being blind to the concept of customer service, and nothing changed with new ownership.

[RicM]

I don't know if anyone here has run a company that failed. It's a gut wrenching, humbling experience, that, in hindsight can always be explained away rather simply by those who weren't there. While on the ground, for the owner, in the moment, many of the choices seem to be demands with little alternative, he/she simply choses between bad and worse outcomes. No one sets out to drive a good business into the ground by making shoddy products and providing bad service. Those are outcomes that are often the result of a number of factors, including in this case the collapse of the the credit market, the collapse of consumer spending, and the worst economic conditions since 1930. You will often find little time for answering the phone politely when your world is falling apart around you, trust me. Over the past 6 months and the next 18 many companies will disappear. Most likely Citi group and GM are next. Tens of thousands of peoples lives will be dissrupted and many of them destroyed. Destructive creation is the great 2 edged sword of capitalism. Just remember that it cuts people too, both management and workers, and sometimes to the bone.

[Mariner]

I don't think anyone here has enough information to be able to say why Ablin Marine or Bladen Composites failed. Unless you have specific detailed information about what led to their demise, please keep your thoughts to yourself. Further speculation based on anecdotal experience or third party rumors will henceforth be deleted by me.

[Thread closed]