May be someone can do a resume
http://www.swr.de/-/id=116/did=...id=116/3n1amq/index.html

'follow for concerns' Yahoo Translation.

News from marklin.

Marklin will make this year 110 million euro. Reason China does not deliver their goods. I think the new MSII. This will be in 2010 and that will make the turnout up till 120 million in 2010.

http://www.stuttgarter-z...as-interessanteste-.html

Thanks for the news and link, Davy.

John we are only as old as we think we are and I reckon you and I are still in our teens.

Hello Gregor,

not really , this was the end of an exhibition in the Arp Museum Bahnhof Rolandseck in May 2009, when he was still in job.

I will bid if on ebay.[^]

Does that mean they will release the names of the 9 potential buyers or the name of the buyer? I hope its the buyer and not who is bidding on the company.

Really? [xx(]

Then maybe you should have to provide that info before me? ... and I'm not an INSIDER!

How'd you like that winkie?

Cem.

Cem as we all know Lutz has strong views on who are suitable persons who can have Maerklin products.

Thus he would have strong views on who is most suitable person to BUY Maerklin and as such he is offering his advice to Mr Puta at lunch every other day. As such he is a real INSIDER.

Nev - playing "Mirror, Mirror On The Wall" or R U just kidding on us
Don't even think about it [}:)][}:)][}:)]

You or Bob or Cem or Dave or David (let alone Macca or me [xx(]) are the last ones eligible ...
Total lack of seriousness, that is [xx(]

Ouch ...

I kind of suspected that you feel are far too "special" to add something useful - whatever.

Regardless Maerklin seems to have been doing much better since you stopped shamelessly "promoting" it and defending its ill conceived "business" decisions.

The improvement in quality and support have been stunning and dramatic in the last few months - and I understand sales have also shown a sharp rise.

Like David rightfully put it; why post your worthless comment then? If you have anything useful to say, say it!

Cem.

Just ignore his posting .. probably be deleted anyway.

PS bet he is the other one that doesnt believe in Santa.

dave

This junk post is off to the rubbish tip where it will in time disappear.

Anybody tell him that 'this impressive train firm 'went bust.
If nobody buys M he will be jumping off the bridge.

The delay in finding a buyer must be trying to find somebody suitable. lol

Now I am hoping I am really suitable to play with my Marklin on Christmas morning.

I have many tens of thousands of dollars tied up in Marklin products but I guess that from some people I'm one who is totally unsuitable to be a M customer or buyer. However, for some reason, I am interested in how the company is doing and if there really are real buyers for the business.

So, since the new year has arrived, what is the most recent news on the buyout front. Has there been any progress since Nov-Dec? I'm rather far away from the action here and most of my info comes from you who are much better informed. What's happening with Marklin now. Did they make money or lose it last year? Are they going to move or stay in Germany? Will they be around this time next year? What's the latest? Thanks in advance.

I was sent this message from one of my German mates about the insolvency and possible Lionel buy out.

This is the German version:-

NEW YORK. Der US-Modellbahnhersteller Lionel hat sich aus dem Bieterverfahren um seinen Göppinger Konkurrenten Märklin zurückgezogen. Dies erfuhr das Handelsblatt aus Unternehmenskreisen in New York. Lionel, ein Unternehmen mit mehr als hundertjähriger Tradition, galt bis vor kurzem als aussichtsreichster Kandidat bei der fast ein Jahr andauernden Suche nach einem neuen Eigentümer für Märklin. Das Göppinger Traditionsunternehmen war 2009 in seinem 150. Jubiläumsjahr insolvent gegangen.
Grund für den Rückzug von Lionel aus dem Bieterverfahren sind den Angaben zufolge die Preisvorstellungen von Insolvenzverwalter Michael Pluta. Der UImer Anwalt hatte in der Öffentlichkeit einen Preis von 60 bis 70 Mio. Euro genannt. Dies war den Amerikanern deutlich zu hoch - trotz der zuletzt positiven Nachrichten. Im Februar veröffentlichte Märklin seine Geschäftszahlen: 12,4 Mio. Euro Ebit bei 111 Mio. Umsatz. Allerdings wurde der Umsatz für das Gesamtjahr ausgewiesen und des Ebit bezog sich nur auf die letzten neun Monate. Außerdem zahlte nach der Insolvenz das Arbeitsamt drei Monate lang die Gehälter, danach musste jeder Märklin-Mitarbeiter 105 Stunden unbezahlte Arbeit leisten. Insider sprechen auch von außergewöhnlich hohen Lagerverkäufen. Diese Sonderfaktoren würden die Zahlen stark relativieren.
Der einzig bekannte verbleibende Bieter ist nun der US-Finanzinvestor Sun Capital. Pluta wollte sich auf Anfrage nicht zu Details des Bieterverfahrens äußern. ben/iw

and this is the translation using Google:-

The U.S. model train manufacturer, Lionel has withdrawn from the bidding for his rivals Göppinger Marklin. This is learned from the Handelsblatt business circles in New York. Lionel, a company with more than a century of tradition, was regarded until recently as the strongest contender in almost a year ongoing search for a new owner for Marklin. The company had 2009 150. Göppinger tradition in his Anniversary year, went bankrupt.
Are reason for withdrawal from the bidding by Lionel declared as the price expectations of administrator Michael Pluta. The UImer lawyer had called in the public with a price of 60 until 70 million. This was the Americans are clearly too high - despite the positive news recently. In February Märklin released its financial figures: 12.4 million Euro EBIT of 111 million turnover. However, the turnover was reported for the full year and the EBIT was referring only to the last nine months. In addition, paid after the bankruptcy the employment of three months' salaries, then each employee had to provide Märklin 105 hours unpaid work. Insiders also speak of abnormally high stock sales. These special factors were strongly relativized the numbers.
The remainder of the only known bidder is now the U.S. investment fund, Sun Capital. Pluta wanted to request not to comment on details of the bidding process. ben / iw

My German being nearly non existent, I presume the translation is correct. If someone out there can make it more readable, please have a try.

Looks as though Lionel has pulled out.

But who is Sun Capital?

And I thought Herr Pluta wouldn't sell to another investment company?

Anyone got anymore upto date info on this article?

Surprisingly, the english translation is almost perfect.

John

"But who is Sun Capital?"

Have a look:

http://www.suncappart.com/

I hope Sun Capital does NOT happen. These kinds of companies are the worst! Peter

hi kimball & everybody,
Until now, from this Cie I only knew the name...(I'm wondering if it is a Chinese holding, I have a doubt about it) yes it looks like a big company. But it's a financial Cie., not a manufacturer.(another kind of Kingsbridge).
They don't care about long term activities, they only need immediate & yearly profit and they have a global approach of their wallet.
In Example : if they could get more profit they don't care to stop Marklin activity & don't hesitate sell Marklin factory + warehouse to someone who only wants to make a property operation...(to build a 5 stars luxury hotel or a golf court,or anything more profitable...)
My example is deliberately caricatural. But that's the wonderful world in which we are living today...

Edited by user 21 March 2010 20:04:55(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

Sun Capital is not the last bidder, but the last known bidder. (At least that's what I hope.)

Mr. Pluta puts on his poker face and says that all negotiations are confidential.

I hope it's not a bluff - and one day he can present a bidder from the trade that actually buys Märklin and starts a new success story.

Time will tell if it's a tale - but the longer it takes the more reason there is to be sceptic.

Yes, David. "Unsold and making profit" is better than "sold to a hopper".
Another main concern for me is keeping the jobs that still are in Göppingen in Göppingen.
It's not all "Made in Germany" but they still make something in Germany.

Mr. Pluta can show a poker face now - but one of these days he'll have to show his cards.