Heller

[kitnut617]

I've just read on another forum that Heller has just filed for bankruptcy today.

Robert

[Spey_Phantom]

ive been checking news and financial site's, found nothing.
i think he lie'd. if they were going bankrupt, they shoundt have brought out new models. B)  

[Big Chris]

Beware the rumour mongers I heard this about Airfix a couple of years ago passed it on and got the mother of all maulings from Trevor Snowden for my trouble.

[Captain Canada]

Well then, might I suggest that you all run out and buy yoursleves both a CL-215 and CL-415 kit ?

I would !

 

[Archibald]

Sad news indeed. I browsed google.fr a bit, and their situation seems quite difficult.
But this is not the bankrupcy -not for the moment!-
Its what we call a "redressement judiciaire". Quite simply, the last chance for the firm! They have to set up a plan to improve their finances. If that doesn't work, they would go bankrupt.  
I'm not very surprise concerning this situation... when one see the (low) quality of their models (to be honest, some are quite good, but others are very crap).  

[Ian the Kiwi Herder]

I hope it isn't true, they've done some great stuff, especially in 1:72 over the years - a lot of it not covered since by the mainstream IM manufacturers.

Personal fave's are the Boeing 707, the Constellation/Warning Star, Mirage III/5, IV the T-28.

Well let's keep hoping for a good outcome - a sure sign/indicator is the prices of Heller stuff on E-Bay !

Ian

[Nick]

Don't forget all the modern French AFVs and tanks they've produced in 1/72 or 1/76 scale. No-one else has done those to the best of knowledge.

I'm sure they've done lots of other sole releases but need to cross-check with the Airfix catalogue to be sure!

Nick B)  

[Hobbes]

They've also done some rockets (e.g. Ariane 5) no-one else does.

[MerlinJones]

Sorry Guys, nobody "lied"...

Heller announced their "dépot de bilan" on 31st July.
This is equivalent to the UK's Chapter 11 Bankruptcy and they are going into Administration.

Besides their own decreasing work, they did work for Humbrol, under the Airfix name. No plant at Trun, no kits "Made In France" from Airfix.

Humbrol own the tools for the Heller and Airfix back catalogues, but will obviously need machinery to be able to produce kits from them.

Heller kits are many and weirdful, with lots of obscure and interesting aircraft covered by them, and by them alone.

Regards,
Bruce

[Jennings]

Even if Heller ceases to exist, I wouldn't worry too much.  Those molds are very valuable assets, and someone will buy them.  We can still get most Frog kits 25+ years after their demise, and we can still get most ESCI kits 15 years after their demise.

J

[Big Chris]

Even if Heller ceases to exist, I wouldn't worry too much.  Those molds are very valuable assets, and someone will buy them.  We can still get most Frog kits 25+ years after their demise, and we can still get most ESCI kits 15 years after their demise.

J

You miss the point its still a sad reflection on the Hobby.

[Archibald]

Sorry Guys, nobody "lied"...

Heller announced their "dépot de bilan" on 31st July.
This is equivalent to the UK's Chapter 11 Bankruptcy and they are going into Administration.

Besides their own decreasing work, they did work for Humbrol, under the Airfix name. No plant at Trun, no kits "Made In France" from Airfix.

Humbrol own the tools for the Heller and Airfix back catalogues, but will obviously need machinery to be able to produce kits from them.

Heller kits are many and weirdful, with lots of obscure and interesting aircraft covered by them, and by them alone.

Regards,
Bruce

I found this
un redressement judicaire est décidé et l'entreprise va être mise en période d'observation pour 8 mois maximum

Depot de bilan is the first step. Second step is
- liquidation if there's too much debts
or, what you said,
- going into administration an "observation period"
Aparently its for a period of 4 months only (it can be doubled but only if there's less than 50 workers... Heller has 75, bad luck!)
This mean that Heller has 4 months to improve its finances. after that, we'll know
 

[nev]

Even if Heller ceases to exist, I wouldn't worry too much.  Those molds are very valuable assets, and someone will buy them.  We can still get most Frog kits 25+ years after their demise, and we can still get most ESCI kits 15 years after their demise.

J

You miss the point its still a sad reflection on the Hobby.

I don't think its a "sad" reflection on the hobby.  More a reflection on how the demographics of the hobby have changed the last 30 years and Heller have struggled (failed?) to adapt & compete.

I think the hobby is in a vibrant state right now.  The choice and quality in a wide variety of scales is staggering.  Sure, we still don't have a modern IM Canberra, Lightning or Buccaneer in 72nd, but its only a matter of time preciousssss......

Companies in all sorts of industries go bankrupt all the time, doesn't mean those industries aren't viable.  Heller have been a bit-part player in the model industry for years.  Now, if Tamiya, Hasegawa, Revell, Trumpeter, Dragon all start going bust, then the hobby is in trouble.

[Spey_Phantom]

i hope heeler still remains to exsist, there the only firm to produce "AFFORDABLE" Belgian Seakings  B)  

[B777LR]

Heller going!?!?   They are so much better than airfix! Airfix should be gone long time ago then Some of my first model kits where heller. 10-20 first are i think. same for my dad.

But as long as we got italeri, revell, zvedza, hasegawa, tamiya and zengdefu  we are fine!