Unfounded rumor?

[punkncat]

I read somewhere from a few "didn't hear it from me" sources that Smart Parts is gone.
Supposedly operations are ceasing, and that GI Milsim is taking over production of what they deem finacially feasible.....

True or False?

[warbeak2099]

I doubt it. Even the Gardners wouldn't base their livelihoods on scumbags like Rich Italia. He's like a cancer, every company he gets in bed with goes down the tubes within a year or two.

[AGD]

Could it BE!!??

AGD (still here)

[Maghog]

Die Smart Parts!!! Die a horrible, smelly death!
Dan@Triggernomics

[BigEvil]

Road trip!!!

Lets go out there and dance on their graves!!

[paullus99]

Makes sense, economically - based on the last round of SP layoffs. Totally depends on where the money is coming from to support current operations, if Italia is ponying up the bulk of the funds at this point - then I can see this happening (maybe not all at once, but a transition over the next six months or so).

All conjecture until we see a press release.

[insixdays777]

I have seen the same info floating around. I believe SP is dead.

[georgeyew]

Could you share some links? I need a good read today.

[littleshwade]

Warbeak2099 is right it seems who ever they merge with that other company seems to go under. Here is another question if Smart Parts goes under will AGD start to make new markers or will this be a slow process in seeing what happens?

[punkncat]

Keep in mind that even if they go down, the patents are still valid and in effect.

[Frizzle Fry]

I read somewhere from a few "didn't hear it from me" sources that Smart Parts is gone.
Supposedly operations are ceasing, and that GI Milsim is taking over production of what they deem finacially feasible.....

True or False?

Smart Parts UK (Smart Parts Europe) is closing their doors from what I hear.

I can't name the source, and I can't say with 100% certainty, but as I understand it Smart Parts Europe was behind on loan payments but making them regularly and therefor not completely defaulting. Apparently, unlike in the U.S. even if you're not defaulting on the loan if you're behind schedule for a certain amount of time (with regular payments) the bank can pull the loan anyway.

From what I hear the bank said that for whatever reason they didn't have faith in SPs ability to pay the loan and keep their head above water due to their "track record" though I'm not sure if that's related to the recent layoffs at Smart Parts US or the bad press they get on all fronts (or both). I'm also not sure that they've closed for good or that they've 100% lost funding, I just have a fairly trustworthy source who says that.



This follows GI Milsims early launch of the .50 cal line in Europe which was not as well accepted as hoped.

It is important to keep in mind that Smart Parts isn't gone as long as GI Milsim is around... Smart Parts owns GI Milsim and LUXE; they are not just "partners" or "manufacturers" or any other marketing-scheme stretch to distance their newer companies from the Smart Parts name. My guess is that they'll stop making "Smart Parts" markers and just make complete LUXE line and continue with GI Milsims .50cal clones of the current Smart Parts line.

The company has made it clear through their actions that Smart Parts is trying to distance themselves from, well, the name Smart Parts, which carries with it (for better or for worse, and I think for better) some VERY bad connotations as far as quality and business practices are concerned.

[punkncat]

Actually, I hear that Luxe is going away as well.....from a completly different source.

[MANN]

Last I heard was that SP is only going to keep a few people around. Enough to buy/sell remaining stock (comes from sp employee). My money would says that they will be around for at least another 10 years.

[georgeyew]

Ahhhh.....so much dirt so little time

[Frizzle Fry]

Last I heard was that SP is only going to keep a few people around. Enough to buy/sell remaining stock (comes from sp employee). My money would says that they will be around for at least another 10 years.

They made (and were unable to sell) enough IONs and Shockers in the last 5 years that 25 employees could make a comfortable living just as tech support for existing markers and sellers/liasons unsold stock.