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    Rip max buys hpi

    Ripmax is delighted to announce the completion of a deal which sees the leading European model & hobby supplier taking over the HPI Racing brandand properties and securing HPI Racing for the future.

    The company will retain the EU based global trading and logistics hub in Derbyshire, UK and will trade as “HPI Racing Ltd” with all the staff retained. The deal also preserves the world renowned Californian HPI DNA, establishing a new HPI Racing design house “HPI Racing Design, LLC” run by key HPI USA team members.

    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.’

    HPI Racing fans and customers across the globe can now expect to see continually improving parts supply and customer service over the next few months as the company rallies back to health, with brand new products reaching shops not long after.

    HPI will continue to embrace its well established distribution network so shops and distributors can continue to work with their existing HPI contacts. Fans of HPI are advised to keep checking with their favourite stores who will have continued HPI supply in stock soon.

    Ritchie Dearden HPI’s MD said, “It is great news that a deal has now been completed, we thank our distributors, suppliers and partners for their support in recent months and look forward to working together with them all now with Ripmax’s support to make HPI stronger than ever.”

    Everyone at HPI Racing looks forward to building on the brand’s long heritage of innovation, high quality products and awesome customer experiences.    




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    Sounds good to me, especially as it's UK based. 

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    Pity it's Ripmax. I'd rather have seen someone other than a low end specialist aquire them but at least it will keep them in business so that's got to be good news.

                 John

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    At least it isn't Traxxarse. They would've just asset stripped and folded it.

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    I see this as good news especially the bit about brand new products ! Perhaps now will get the long awaited savage xl flux or maybe a rival to the Xmaxx ? 

     

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    20 minutes ago, dazp1976 said:

    At least it isn't Traxxarse. They would've just asset stripped and folded it.

    There is still time for that to happen, just have to wait and see if hpi still exist in a years time!

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    It helps keep a few more jobs here in the UK,which has got to be a good thing,well done Ripmax and HPi UK for getting it together.

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    AS far as I am aware the issue was only with HPI Europe? However, over in California, HPI were advertising fairly dodgy sounding "garage sales" on Craigslist of all places! Some guy on URC picked up some stuff, including a HPI RS4 Nitro 3 with a Calsonic Skyline Shell. This exact model appears to be the one they used for the professional photographs. When the sale ended, they advertised another day, where they were selling the office furniture etc? Sounds a little dodgy, but he provided pictures of what he bought etc so who knows?

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    It seems they might have bought HPI overall, but being as how Ripmax are first and foremost a distributor this deal may mean the end of the current HPI US to be replace by Ripmax's people.

     

    I wouldn't call Ripmax 'low end'. Their current car lineup isn't great but they have been Futaba's dealer for longer than anyone can remember including some seriously fancy radio gear.

     

    This does sound like a solid deal for RC in general.

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    It's not Traxxas and keeps a 3rd larger main stream brand in business so it can't be a bad thing. If either Hobbico or Traxxas bought HPI I think it would be bad for everyone.

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    So was the HPI brand actually in trouble? If yes, why? 

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    7 minutes ago, Tug said:

    So was the HPI brand actually in trouble? If yes, why? 

     

    Very good question! Especially since they have been selling pretty much the same cars/trucks/buggies for premium prices, and selling well, for years now.

     

    Anyone?

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    31 minutes ago, Praet0r87 said:

     

    Very good question! Especially since they have been selling pretty much the same cars/trucks/buggies for premium prices, and selling well, for years now.

     

    Anyone?

    Having to honor the warranties for the HPI Trophies probably. As well as the Flux Blur esc's maybe. :lol:

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    11 hours ago, Tug said:

    So was the HPI brand actually in trouble? If yes, why? 

     

    Tatsuro basically pulled all money out of the business bit by bit and spent it elsewhere, ergo HPI suffered huge debts and was valued at $1.

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    Basically, Tatsuro did what the Glaziers are doing to Man United. But Man United are HUGE globally so can sustain it!

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    Im a little out of the loop, but does this include HB? Or were did HB and HPI part company prior to this?

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    So we should, in theory, see HPI rise from the Ashes? 

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    HB is based in Switzerland and is a separate entity to HPI.

     

    In the short term, supplier stocks will be replenished (think many containers of goods sitting in a port awaiting payment), where HPI go in terms of model line ups, we'll have to pray and hope.

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