Does anybody know the particulars of this? Here is the news release I got from the Goebel website.
"Goebel of North America (GNA) is committed in its support of Goebel Germany as they embark on the recently announced production restructuring. Despite current global economic pressures, GNA's business has remained stable and we are confident in the outlook for the second half of 2008. GNA will collaborate with Goebel Germany to implement a strategic plan that will best serve the North American market and all its stakeholders. We remain confident that the M.I. Hummel brand will emerge from this restructuring significantly stronger" said Goebel of North America President Philip Ferrigno.
It is the last statement that is confusing to me. Are they thinking that by stopping production, prices will go up? Or are they just taking a break from production and expect it to be that much better afterwards? Any ideas anyone?
They are using the term " restructuring ". That is a very common word used when companies file Bankruptcy and they are trying to work out of it. Or they could be on the verge on Bankruptcy and they are trying to keep it from happening. They are not concerned right now about their prices going up. They most likely are having difficulties selling their new merchandise since there are a hundreds of thousands of Hummels already saturating the aftermarket. Collectors most likely are buying the older ones, and Goebel is not selling their new ones.
They will no longer be making the Hummels in Germany but supposedly they will still make them in their Asian locations---Taiwan for instance---cheaper labor I'm sure. To me they are just not Hummel unless they originate in Germany
We just had friends visiting from Germany who told us the Hummel production is stopping in Germany, and that our collection should increase in value because of it. Good news for avid collectors!
Must use Buy It Now and PayPal.
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