HPI being sold - Bad? Or good?

[Mark Walters]

Got this email today
[email protected]

 

[Jam Racing 1]

Sorry Mark, i tried a couple times to read that link but I get nothing....

 

[Wilson]

Day 30 at HPI: "We have established basecamp"
Hey there!

At the beginning of June, we announced that the HPI brand had been purchased by Ripmax (and if you hadn’t heard or want to know the details, please click the link). Well, after a big celebratory party - it was time for the real work to begin.

Despite HPI's 30 year heritage at the forefront of the RC industry, and Ripmax's commitment to keep the same awesome staff, products and infrastructure – this didn't mean the new owners could simply 'take over' the company... in fact they had to set up a brand new company (HPI Racing Ltd.) and everything had to start from scratch. We're talking new bank accounts, finance processes, trade agreements with 100's of suppliers and customers across the globe... and then, once that was complete we set about making this fresh, newborn company do everything the HPI Racing you know and love did. That means things like hiring the staff from the old company, buying all of its stock (we had accountants and lawyers counting every last grub screw, wheely bar and Ground Assault tire!)
Plus, In addition; HPI is well known for it's officially licensed RC vehicles – almost 200 crafted, replica products created in partnership with big brand automotive firms and motorsport legends – Each one of these had to be carefully approved and re-licensed so you can be sure, when you buy HPI, you're taking home the genuine bona fide article.

OK, so you're probably reading this thinking, "This is truly gripping! But where's my damn Venture FJ Cruiser!?" Well, let us assure you – for every minute you've spent wondering about that long awaited crawler, we've spent a week working to make it happen! And the Venture FJ will happen pretty late on in the year, but here's the thing: we want the new headline kits fast, and if we were happy to cut some corners and make a quick buck for our new owners we could get them to you even faster... but that is not what HPI does. While we love the glory that our new launches will bring, the bottom line is actually this: spares. We believe that every single HPI customer has made an investment and we will not rest until you have the parts available to keep you bashing, racing or drifting.

Getting the core HPI spares and options flowing might not grab the headlines in your favourite RC publication but spares supply is the firm foundation on which we can build the HPI brand for the future.


Of course its not been all work and no play this month, there's still been a pretty full schedule of RC mayhem... take a look at some of the highlights below :-D

JUMPSHOT SC Full-bodied short course racing truck style comes to the Jumpshot range!

JUMPSHOT ST The Jumpshot line expands to the longer & wider stadium truck version!

WATERPROOF RADIO The new RF-40WP receiver is fully waterproof for maximum outdoor fun!

HPI hosted our own WRX Challenge trackside whilst Round 4 of the 2016 season was on

VIDEO: Quick blast in the Sprint 2 FLUX BMW M3 with you in the driving seat!

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VIDEO: Quick blast on the RS4 Sport 3 Falken Porsche 911

VIDEO: Nothing like a blast up a hill with a Baja 5b to kick-start the week!

Log in to your MYhpi account now!

VIDEO: Plus, check out our guideto getting that Rally Classic look on your 1/10th HPI Racing RC Car!

VIDEO: The Guys @ Hobbico made this awesome clip featuring an HPI truck put to great use!

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VIDEO: Delivering a truck load of HPI RC fun to the Goodwood VIPs!

More new products landing and exciting Vaughn Gittin Jr. news!
Don't forget to connect with HPI!
Use the hashtags: #MYhpi #HPIHomemovies & #HPIFriday

 

[Wilson]

If that is the email you were referring to I received the same one today. Everything at ripmax/hpi seems on target. I have high hopes things continue to progress.

 

[Jam Racing 1]

INTERESTING Read. I am glad someone with fortitude took the reigns and we can look forward to our beloved toys being able to live a much extended life instead of being relegated to the shelves due to parts support problems....
Thank You Ripmax for stepping in!!!!!

 

[Mark Walters]

@Wilson Thanks for the help posting that I'm not that good with doing stuff like that. Especially with a smartphone

 

[T-Bug]

Hey Gents

To (almost) finalize the thread, check out:
http://hpiracing.world/en/article/view/2016053101
Ripmax, you BEAUTY!

Ripmax, business that has been around since 1949 leads, finally, to some stabilization...

Ripmax CEO Nick Moss said, ‘Tatsuro Watanabe built up HPI from the ground up and credit must go to him for establishing HPI as a fantastic and truly worldwide brand. Ripmax have worked very hard to conclude this extremely complicated transaction, which will make a superb addition to our group of companies. We are really very excited about the prospect of nurturing and growing the HPI brand and working with the greatly experienced HPI teams both at Swadlincote and in the USA. Our intention is to change as little as possible, so that HPI remains as its own global brand, and continues producing its world leading products.’

KEWL, I say...

 

[hpicelery]

I'm hopeful. I think everything will be fine. I just hope parts start coming back in stock fairly soon...

 

[seeingeyegod]

So was this ripmax thing not actually true? Or does hobbico own them, because I was told to go to hobbico for official support by HPI's official facebook page. So far I haven't gotten a response from hobbico.

 

[Jam Racing 1]

Hobbico may remain as the USA distributor, but everything I have read says RIPMAX is going to be the parent company and retain ownership in the UK....
I think we will have to give RIPMAX some time to get things in order and continue producing parts and kits......

 

[seeingeyegod]

Hobbico may remain as the USA distributor, but everything I have read says RIPMAX is going to be the parent company and retain ownership in the UK....
I think we will have to give RIPMAX some time to get things in order and continue producing parts and kits......

Well I think they have started because I was waiting impatiently for a Savage X SS kit to show up somewhere, Tower finally got them in stock again last week and I built mine this weekend 🙂 Seems like the support situation is still being sorted out though.

 

[GAJ]

My LHS is seeing parts. Ontario Canada