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Anyone got thoughts on the new TT 120 range? Apparently been in the works for years. Only being sold directly by Hornby online and is pretty much the focus of Hornby for the next year.
TT:120 is a financial gamble but could prove to be fortuitous for Hornby. The new TT:120 models are not as detailed (fragile) as the OO range and this no doubt keeps costs lower. Hornby also have the market (if there is one) to themselves (for now). Selling direct and online allows them to better control costs and the marketing for TT:120. So personally I am rather optimistic although the business still faces considerable challenges. I have put my money where my mouth is and increased my own holding last week.
i really think, carrying on the tt:120 thread, its a good move. Hrn are right smaller living environments, smaller sets, although theres a coupe of other competitors out there in that gauge (i think) hornby have the market brand as being amongst the best.
these are also great collectors sets, and i will buy a few on that basis alone, the detail is high, the quality looks excellent.
the whole group has made some brilliant efforts i think over the past few years, all their products get rave reviews, the new airfix 1;24 spitfire, upgrades to Scalextric etc... the brands have a massive following, but the market is tight, physical retailers reducing, these are specialist products and the only way they will get the word out to a wider audience is via pop-up shops, special event concessions etc.. because these products need to be seen working in stores and then i feel people would go for them.
just my opinion. gla
Personally think Hornby should license a video game for building layouts virtually, open more visitor centres and branch out into scratch building scale model buildings more. 40m market cap is incredibly low. Warhammer are over 3 billion. Granted they have more IP but still the difference should not be 40m v 3 billion.
I’m not a shareholder here and no plans to be but I do occasionally buy their products. Their airfix kits are okay, especially the newer ones but there are better options out there for less money. Zvezda for one.
I really like the TT 120 size as it’s much more friendly for people who don’t live in a mansion :)
but, I think the price of these trains, coaches and accessories are way over priced. They really need to lower the price to get more people buying them. The issue of having to go to hornby only to buy keeps those price’s ridiculously high imo
Anyway, results today are not good, I really want them to do well for sentimental reasons if nothing else ..still got a lot of airfix, dinky cars and my train set from when I was a kid…a great British company, with everything now made in china :)
Its a shame todays results but retails tough or tougher than its always been. Agree that there are better options on some models than Airfix, but the kits are being upgraded as and when. Certainly theres a need for a bit more tech to deliver a better experience. Warhammer, the player age and the modeller is a diff type but I get your point.
Hrn have all the ability in the world to be great again, TT120, collectors pieces, its all there backed with heritage brand names.
If I was hrn Id be trying to license from Harry Potter, Star Wars etc across the range and maybe Hrn could get some space in their retail or go for pop-up shops in key locations on a rotation basis, certainly I'd put an outlet shop or two in the UK.
Maybe if Hrn are edging towards own retail, they need a retail brand team with a heritage bias to deliver the vision.. if thats what the vision is..and retail margins are 4 to 5 times higher than wholesale so its got to be worth it,
all imo..
Interesting to note having just watched Sams Trains on YouTube that there’s possibly more to the story than Simon Kohler simply retiring and was possibly pushed out instead. With TT:120 his baby makes me wonder if there’s any issues ..any thoughts anyone.
My very first thought when I saw Kohler had quit/resigned was major red flag. 100% he was either asked to resigned or asked to make a major change to his role which resulted in him resigning. (in my opinion)
TT:120 was his baby and he 'owned' that product from the moment it was announced. One can only conclude that TT:120 has failed whatever internal targets/promises Kohler made to his bosses. Possibly the problems reach even wider than TT:120.
Obviously this is only my opinion but its crystal clear to me that something very bad has gone on behind the scenes leading to this major change. Remember, Kohler was THE face of Hornby in recent years.
@LondonMarket
Likely catching a cold just simply as a result of the general economic market downturn post covid. Trouble is the financial institutions always want someone to blame. Kohler going is of course a loss to this business.
@Veteran10
I really like your idea about video games, you should email it to the board. They need to innovate with new ideas and expand into new lines for sure otherwise they will just sink further as cheap train set tat just floods the market and Hornby seen as just being a very expensive provider for historic collectors
Dodger777
I know reply to a very old post. But everything is not made in China
And so if a lot is, my Iphone is made in China, doesnt seem to effect Apple..
1/24 Spitfire - Made in the UK..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyCbOskWA-o