All very strange, I wonder what the tale behind it is ?
My initial take on the move was that Richard wanted to supply parts but didn't want the hassle of internet marketing or spending his time wrapping up parcels when he could be making things or restoring cars, etc. The idea of a tie up with someone who was already doing the "box shifting" and would take over the day to day orders seemed a benefit to both parties.
After reading this thread I went back to take a closer look at their website and came upon this phrase;
"Unfortunately the workshop will close and Europa Engineering will now be a parts only enterprise. The parts business will be re-located to our warehouse in Faygate, West Sussex"
Now if Richard closed his workshop and parts stock were in Faygate then maybe it meant that the new company (Playmini ?) expected to take the jigs, secondhand parts, etc down there with the implication that they could subcontract new fabrication work locally, which in effect would be Richard selling up.
If Richard still intends to work, concentrating on restorations and new builds then he'll need a workshop, manufacturing jigs, etc, which he can't really do if the contracts meant he'd sold the parts business along with manufacturing rights ? On the other hand, if the contract was for exclusive manufacturing by Richard perhaps Playmini decided that wasn't in their long term interests, who knows ?
I've honestly no idea how such a deal could go south so quickly, but clearly one or both parties weren't on the same wavelength. Sad in one sense but it's very reassuring to know that Richard plans to be around for a while longer.
Brian
