Trains.com

E.P. Lehmann Patentwerk transfers ownership of LGB of America

6073 views
7 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
E.P. Lehmann Patentwerk transfers ownership of LGB of America
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, September 8, 2006 9:35 AM

Ernst Paul Lehmann Patentwerk, parent firm of LGB, has transferred ownership of LGB of America to a new firm, U.S.-based G45. “In these changing times you have to keep moving forward,” said Rolf Richter, managing general partner of E.P. Lehmann Patentwerk. “This move forward provides new opportunities for us, for LGB of America, and for our friends in the United States.”

David Buffington, president of G45 and longtime publicist for LGB of America, is excited about the opportunities the ownership transfer presents. “LGB of America began as a service center for LGB owners in North America. It’s now very different. It now distributes LGB trains, Piko structures, and Noch accessories. Of course, LGB is and will remain our top brand and market leader in large scale, but this change will allow us to also offer other interesting products.”

Buffington said the move will create new opportunities as well. “LGB of America already has a well-earned reputation for service to LGB owners, and we now hope to offer consumers even more in terms of repair, upgrade, and service.”

Tony Castellano will remain chief operating officer of LGB of America, and both Buffington and Richter emphasized that their companies will continue to work together. “We have a very good relationship with LGB of America, and we will work very closely with the firm to produce new models North American modelers will want,” Richter said.

  • Member since
    April 2004
  • From: Bucks County, PA
  • 428 posts
Posted by Bucksco on Friday, September 8, 2006 4:47 PM
Jack
  • Member since
    July 2006
  • 1 posts
Posted by Lance on Friday, September 8, 2006 10:37 PM
I hope they will offer trains in 1:20.3 scale. I really like some of their products but they don't quite fit on my D&RGW layout.
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, September 9, 2006 7:58 AM
 tsauer wrote:

Ernst Paul Lehmann Patentwerk, parent firm of LGB, has transferred ownership of LGB of America to a new firm, U.S.-based G45. “In these changing times you have to keep moving forward,” said Rolf Richter, managing general partner of E.P. Lehmann Patentwerk. “This move forward provides new opportunities for us, for LGB of America, and for our friends in the United States.”

David Buffington, president of G45 and longtime publicist for LGB of America, is excited about the opportunities the ownership transfer presents. “LGB of America began as a service center for LGB owners in North America. It’s now very different. It now distributes LGB trains, Piko structures, and Noch accessories. Of course, LGB is and will remain our top brand and market leader in large scale, but this change will allow us to also offer other interesting products.”

Buffington said the move will create new opportunities as well. “LGB of America already has a well-earned reputation for service to LGB owners, and we now hope to offer consumers even more in terms of repair, upgrade, and service.”

Tony Castellano will remain chief operating officer of LGB of America, and both Buffington and Richter emphasized that their companies will continue to work together. “We have a very good relationship with LGB of America, and we will work very closely with the firm to produce new models North American modelers will want,” Richter said.

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, September 9, 2006 8:13 AM

I really do not keep up with the news I guess as much as I have. But I felt I needed to reply to this latest news.

I remember in 1982 when I was still in high school and walked into my local hobby shop and saw LGB for the first time. It was love at first site.

The quality and workmanship has always been there. I remember when LGBofAmerica first started. In fact I recently saw the LGB stand this past spring at the York PA at the East Coast Large Scale meet. The guys at the stand were super. We even had a few laughs as I still have my old LGB frequent buyers card. They asked why I had it still. I said because LGBof Americas phone number is on the back and I have had to call a few times about tech issues. So I know that the professionalism I have come to know will continue.

 LGB has never let me down at all. For whatever the reason may be I will remain a loyal LGBfan. I look forward to follow ups with what happens. I am in no way feeling deserted. But look forward to new models for my LGB American prototype. And other enhanced options for me.

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Pisa, IT
  • 1,474 posts
Posted by RR Redneck on Saturday, September 9, 2006 8:55 AM
Maybe the price of the darn things will FINALLY go down. Hopefully they start using KNUCKLE couplers.

Lionel collector, stuck in an N scaler's modelling space.

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, September 9, 2006 9:07 PM
So all this really means is that the Richters have sold off LGBoA so someone else now owns and manages LGBoA?

Isn't this a step back to the old days where someone else distributed LGB for Lehmann?
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, September 9, 2006 11:29 PM

I really do not think this will affect me at all, i do not run American train mine are all LGB European.

        

 However i do buy stuff from America, so maybe my pricing will change either way.

I have seen thisngs like this happen before and you can never tell in advance if it is good or bad thing. Wait and see?

Rgds ian

Search the Community

FREE EMAIL NEWSLETTER

Get the Garden Railways newsletter delivered to your inbox twice a month

By signing up you may also receive occasional reader surveys and special offers from Garden Railways magazine. Please view our privacy policy