Au pas de Charge | 19 May 2021 8:49 a.m. PST |
La Garde Recule! Sauve qui peut! The sky is falling! Runaway! I guess it's time to put together an order.
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Dadster | 19 May 2021 10:36 a.m. PST |
Wow. A good deal for someone in the UK. |
3rd5ODeuce | 19 May 2021 10:58 a.m. PST |
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79thPA | 19 May 2021 11:10 a.m. PST |
Thanks for the link. I am sure that the owners deserve to enjoy their retirement. |
Murphy | 19 May 2021 11:23 a.m. PST |
Wow… I really hope someone gets the business and keeps the good traditions going of quality figures and excellent customer service. |
Au pas de Charge | 19 May 2021 11:31 a.m. PST |
Wow. A good deal for someone in the UK. Maybe the Caliver Books guy will buy them? |
Frederick | 19 May 2021 12:34 p.m. PST |
Hope someone buys them – love their figs |
huron725 | 19 May 2021 12:36 p.m. PST |
I need to put an order together very soon. Love their 40mm AWI. |
Mserafin | 19 May 2021 12:42 p.m. PST |
I wonder if Alec will still design figures for the new owner? |
Billy Goat Wargaming | 19 May 2021 2:36 p.m. PST |
I'd buy the company at the drop of a hat. I'm short around £250,000.00 GBP though. It's a real part of my gaming history as I played many games using their figures back in the early 90's. |
Wargamer Blue | 19 May 2021 3:37 p.m. PST |
I love Front Rank figures and their business model of being able to select the individual figures you want for your army. I wish Alec well in his retirement. He made me very happy for many years. |
Chimpy | 19 May 2021 7:48 p.m. PST |
I wish them both a happy retirement. I'm very happy with the figures and service that I have received over the years. |
Grelber | 19 May 2021 8:38 p.m. PST |
They do sell lovely figures! Grelber |
3rd5ODeuce | 19 May 2021 9:37 p.m. PST |
Let's pool our money and buy it as a group. |
Huscarle | 20 May 2021 9:18 a.m. PST |
Oh dear, time for me to make a purchase, HYW or WoTR, decisions, decisions Happy retirement, it's well deserved. |
forrester | 20 May 2021 1:33 p.m. PST |
Small order sent. You do tend to take it for granted that companies will just be there forever, but time's wing'd chariot is remorseless. I hope the ranges are able to contnue. |
raylev3 | 20 May 2021 10:12 p.m. PST |
Are they mailing to the US again? |
Lluis of Minairons | 21 May 2021 2:20 a.m. PST |
Perhaps someone might suggest them to hire, rather than to sell, their business. That would make the venture more affordable to many, I guess. (Just a thought) |
SHaT1984 | 24 May 2021 2:19 p.m. PST |
And I see Hinchliffe has moved sideways as welll ! |
Brian Smaller | 24 May 2021 5:17 p.m. PST |
I am not sure it is such a sweet deal. Looks like Alec retains the company but you are just buying the plant and inventory. Did I read that correctly? Saying that. I love Front Rank – especially the new reinforcement pack figs. They are wonderful miniatures and the ability buy exactly what you want on a figure by figure basis so old school and cool. |
Fighting 15s | 26 May 2021 2:28 a.m. PST |
I am not sure it is such a sweet deal. Looks like Alec retains the company but you are just buying the plant and inventory. Did I read that correctly? Front Rank is a limited company and will be running down that aspect over a period of years for tax reasons. It's not like having a sole trader just sell up shop. |
Marcus Brutus | 26 May 2021 8:58 a.m. PST |
Front Rank is a limited company and will be running down that aspect over a period of years for tax reasons. It's not like having a sole trader just sell up shop. In my experience buying an established business includes owning the company (ie. shares.) |
chrisminiaturefigs | 26 May 2021 12:30 p.m. PST |
Would not be surprised if front rank disappears to be honest, and even if the company finds a buyer, there will be no Alec Brown sculpting any new releases, and Alec's sculpting is what made front rank unique, unlike many other companies who use a multitude of sculptures! |
raylev3 | 26 May 2021 10:31 p.m. PST |
Nooooooo! I love Front Rank!!! |
Marcus Brutus | 27 May 2021 5:50 a.m. PST |
As F15s pointed out, there's good tax reasons why the existing limited company might not be included in the sale. . Limited companies are most often bought and sold in whole. |
Au pas de Charge | 27 May 2021 7:17 a.m. PST |
Would not be surprised if front rank disappears to be honest, and even if the company finds a buyer, there will be no Alec Brown sculpting any new releases, and Alec's sculpting is what made front rank unique, unlike many other companies who use a multitude of sculptures! I had a similar concern. New releases are what lend puissance to most mini makers. Alec is definitely the talented engine that drives Front Rank. Additionally, not only are his ranges limited in period and scope but his minis dont mate with a lot of other makers and he hasnt been sculpting much lately. |
Garand | 29 May 2021 10:17 p.m. PST |
That kind of seems to be the way of figure manufacturers. They have a flurry of releases early on, then settle down to selling their back catalog & new releases are few & far between. There are exceptions of course, like Khurasan, which seems to always have something new. Damon. |
Volleyfire | 16 Jun 2021 1:49 a.m. PST |
The thing is, there are so many manufacturers now who between them cover virtually every major (and most minor) conflict ever fought in every possible wargaming scale that unless you can mine a period that has been overlooked, like the Perrys South American figures being released currently, or a period that hasn't been done to death such as FPW or Vietnam, both currently about to be or being rectified, then you're entering into an overcrowded market where your share of the spoils might not be worth the effort and expense required to put your figures out there. There must come a point in the future where there are so many 28mm Napoleonics or ACW figures (for example) on the market from so many different manufacturers that it just isn't worth launching a new range in those periods unless you're going to just do obscure units and periphery figures. |
chrisminiaturefigs | 07 Sep 2021 11:35 a.m. PST |
Has anyone got any updates on any possible interested buyers of front rank! |
BigRedBat | 09 Sep 2021 1:51 p.m. PST |
We're all going to carry on buying Front Rank minis, though, at least while we are gaming, so I'm sure someone will pick up the baton, soon. I bought some second hand earlier this week. I have the Sedgemoor minis and no other range matches them. In fact if the new owner wanted to get some rebel cavalry sculpted… I'd be biting his hand off at the elbow. :-) |
chrisminiaturefigs | 11 Sep 2021 10:20 a.m. PST |
We're all going to carry on buying Front Rank minis, though, at least while we are gaming, so I'm sure someone will pick up the baton, soon. I bought some second hand earlier this week. I have the Sedgemoor minis and no other range matches them. In fact if the new owner wanted to get some rebel cavalry sculpted… I'd be biting his hand off at the elbow. :-) Indeed BigRedBat, Alex's Sedgemoor range is fantastic, unfortunate that no one else makes them of a similar style! |
Old Rowley | 30 Sep 2021 12:41 p.m. PST |
The Front Rank website now says that Gripping Beast have bought Front Rank. All existing orders will be met but no new orders taken for two weeks. |
chrisminiaturefigs | 30 Sep 2021 2:04 p.m. PST |
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Marcus Brutus | 01 Oct 2021 11:19 a.m. PST |
Gripping Beast is certainly one of my favourite British miniature companies. Fair pricing and great customer service so this is good news. |
Au pas de Charge | 01 Oct 2021 7:37 p.m. PST |
No new orders taken? That's very self-serving. I've only ever ordered once from Gripping Beast but I thought I've read about casting quality issues. In any case, I am annoyed because I have half finished Front Rank armies and really no guarantee that the new owners will have the same quality control. There really is so much instability in this hobby. |
chrisminiaturefigs | 02 Oct 2021 1:52 a.m. PST |
I was starting to have same concerns AU pas, regarding all you mentioned but also gripping beast miniatures are more expensive too, so i guess we can expect a price hike for front rank too, and also the minis sold in packs of four! |
Long Valley Gamer | 02 Oct 2021 7:40 a.m. PST |
Be happy you can still get Front Rank….If there were no buyers for the company it would have went away……… |
Au pas de Charge | 02 Oct 2021 9:44 a.m. PST |
My reaction is mixed. I am happy the figure lines will survive. I am unhappy I didn't get a two week window to put in "last licks" orders. I think that was a deal to help Gripping Beast out and if the prices go up immediately, so will my blood pressure. Finally, there is a lot of stuff that still needs to get sculpted and it may now never see the light of day. |
Long Valley Gamer | 02 Oct 2021 12:16 p.m. PST |
They probably will go up immediately for 2 reasons. One is inflation and second they want to start recouping their investment. Front Rank has a very distinctive look. It will be interesting to see if another sculptor can keep that style. |
Volleyfire | 04 Oct 2021 2:21 a.m. PST |
Seeing as Baccus have announced an imminent price rise due to the large increased cost of raw materials and utility bills so I suspect there will be others following suit, not just Front Rank. 2 weeks could be just required to check inventories and find sufficient space to store all this extra stock and equipment as I'm guessing Gripping Beast didn't just happen to have a large empty space in their premises to slot another business into? I'm sure if customers managed to wait for deliveries throughout various lockdowns last year another 2 week wait isn't going to kill anyone if it means the survival of Front Rank for the future. |
Au pas de Charge | 04 Oct 2021 7:13 a.m. PST |
I'm guessing Gripping Beast didn't just happen to have a large empty space in their premises to slot another business into? Really? They appear to be an actual storage facility. This hobby is very unstable. Usually I try to buy everything I need at once to ensure that I have it which leads to lead mountains which in turn leads to depression. My only consolation for creating those lead mountains is the relief felt when a company goes away and I realize it doesn't affect me. Before anyone says that Front Rank hasnt gone away, consider that we dont know how the products will be cast, priced, maintained, expanded, etc. I've been told that Gripping Beast is a competent, quality company but, still, who knows if we will get the same standard of excellent attention we got with Front Rank's original owners? |
chrisminiaturefigs | 04 Oct 2021 9:30 a.m. PST |
Although its great that Front Rank have been saved from disappearing altogether, i think it will no longer feel like Front Rank anymore, as the miniatures will surely be put in line with the rest of Gripping beast prices and packaging, ie 4 figure pack codes. As for quality and customer service Front Rank are a tall act to follow, i would say Front Rank were cast from some of the best quality metal in the hobby. On a personal note about four or five years ago i felt privileged when Alex commissioned me to paint quite a few of his Medieval figures for him to put on Front Rank's web sight, the only manufacturer to give me a commission, i felt honoured, but i guess they will disappear when the new owners take over. |
Au pas de Charge | 04 Oct 2021 1:16 p.m. PST |
Oh? Which ones did you paint? It's true that Front Rank were the very tops in terms of service and quality. You never appreciate the good guys until they're gone. I am sick about being caught in the middle of a Front Rank project. I feel like groveling to get a small order in. I thought I had a little more time but c'est la vie… mon kiki |
ConnaughtRanger | 04 Oct 2021 1:18 p.m. PST |
How very inconsiderate of Alec and Angela to grow older and needlessly inconvenience some of the contributors here. I hope the Perry Brothers have taken note and stepped up their search for the Elixir of Life? |
Au pas de Charge | 04 Oct 2021 1:24 p.m. PST |
I will miss them, they were awesome…but I still would have appreciated a last chance "heads up". Now, if the Perry's close up shop too, I am screwed beyond comprehension. |
chrisminiaturefigs | 04 Oct 2021 1:29 p.m. PST |
I painted some Wars of Roses but mostly HYW stuff, the command packs and the standard bearers, and Henry V command pack and some of the HYW infantry. I was just wondering if they will stay there!!! The Perry's retiring will be a massive blow to the hobby. My other fav medieval miniature company! |
Volleyfire | 05 Oct 2021 2:05 p.m. PST |
The day the Perry twins pull down the shutters the outpouring of anguish on here will be something to behold. |
Scarab Miniatures | 07 Oct 2021 10:56 a.m. PST |
Gripping Beast, in my experience, have always been an excellent company providing great customer service so I am sure once the hand over has been completed the Front Rank ranges will be in tremendous hands with people who care about the hobby as a hobby. cheers Rob scarabminiatures.com |
Au pas de Charge | 07 Oct 2021 12:02 p.m. PST |
We shall see. I've heard mixed comments about Gripping Beast; that theyre well run but also that theyre known for excess flash on some of their miniatures. |
chrisminiaturefigs | 07 Oct 2021 1:52 p.m. PST |
Well i agree Gripping Beast are a fine outfit and along time reliable manufacturer, and they have probably saved Front Rank from extinction i have had a fair few minis from them over the years. I am just now wondering if the figures i painted for Front Rank will stay or disappear. |