HI Guys Just been made aware of this http://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/stories/2007/09/03/daily27.html Certainly never saw this coming (Cough) Be interesting to see what happens next Cheers Tom
HArdee har har This Should go straight through competitive investigation as there are other film manufacturers, be interesting to see whether they will keep the film though. Frankly I dont see the point given that they have the superior product (3m) then it would make sense to bin the VS PPF I reckon, however they may keep it for the low -end market potentially. Be interesting to see what they do with it. The Bits they really want I guess are the Ductape parts of the business as thats where Venture is MASSIVELY successful Cheers Tom
Hi No Ken I picked up on this confidentially about 4 months ago but was sworn to secrecy what they really want is the NON Paint protection film elements, frankly in turnover terms in the PPF market Ventureshield was always a minnow, the interesting thing for 3M is their Industrial stuff which they do REALLY well. Cheers Tom This has dragged me back on the forums as I have had my hands full the last couple of weeks with my own merger stuff Have to get back on Club Scud Tonight and Catch up
I I have asked 3M for a written Policy decision on this and also placed a call to Brett Webster at VS for his take on this (just to be fair) so far nothing Will report back when I have more info, I gather guys in the US are now hearing the same thing as I have (spoke to a couple over the last couple of days) Still waiting for "Hard" Confirmation" Cheers Tom
After my experience with one of their UK agents and also with their "training manager" from Head Office, I'm only asuming 3M's motive for buying them was to stop VentureShield further tarnishing their reputation! Surely the 3M product can't be as crappy as the VentureShield cowboys make it appear? Or is it genuinely rubbish?
Hi The Venture film is completely different film, however once the deal is closed and it becomes 3M's responsibility I will if you wish intercede on your behalf with 3M to get your issues resolved and or replace the film for you I have the odd contact in Bracknell and Minnesota it would appear Cheers Tom
I am sorry you got into this sordid exchange with Nick Phelps on PH apparrently there is now a euphamism for a difficult customer called having a "Clive in your Closet"!! I have never seen anyone do this in my life!!! WOW! Hopefully this thread will stay a civilised discussion regarding the likely resultsof this merger Cheers Tom
It is 100% true, but the purchase had nothing to do with PPF. They wanted Venture mfg. capability for other film products. You have to realize that for 3M the PPF line is insignificant in their total product line. It will be interesting how it will deal with two differing PPF products under one roof.
I dont think that will ever happen, having their new Series B film to compete with Ventures Non Clear and having spent millions of dollars on development, there is no way that I can see that a fiscal case could be made for retaining the Venture Program, with two types of consumer film in the stable and a handle on their customer base it wouldnt make economic sense IMHO to do anything other than switch everyone to 3M raw material. Questions that then get raised are how many of the Venture dealer nework will be retained ( 3M usually operate through wholelsalers for film products), so if they hold true to form these guys may well be just pointed at the wholesalers and told thanks see ya!!! Also the Much vaunted Ventureshield Lifetime warranty (that I dont see really covered that much IMHO) will 3M be inclined to take an open ended liability on their books??? I cant see the 3M beancounters being happy to do that with such an imponderable risk?? However the Jury is still out on these and other quite major questions must be worrying times for their dealers and anyone who bought the product I guess!! Cheers Tom
3M closed the deal yesterday with Ventures owner Lou Cohen. They now own the company. A contact was in Minnesota yesterday afternoon, 3M were still refusing to be drawn on the future of VS stating that they are currently reviewing the position and there may be NO final decision for a few weeks. Contrast this with last week when they were indicating a firm answer today (2nd October). The doubt therefore goes on Also the the questionable test data they had been using to suggest that VS was stronger than 3M seems to be vanishing at a fast rate of knots all over the internet. Now if the product WAS really better and 3M now own the company there is no point in tearing it down EH Cheers Tom
