New attachment manufacturer

[JimMacElroy]

I heard a guy at lunch in Marion, IL saying he was getting set up to build the same implements Midwest builds for Kioti, They said that if Midwest didn't have to pay for the design rights he wasn't either. Said a buch of Midwest's guys were going to work there too. Maybe they will be able to get product out on time and at a decent price,

 

[beenthere]

Wish him luck. It may take only one lawsuit from Midwest to make it pretty expensive for them to continue. Not sure how easy it is to 'get things out faster' unless the demand for the product from this new manufacturer is much less (fewer to produce). But if so, they will have to compete based on less volume, whereas the fixed costs will likely be the same.
As I say, I wish them luck and hope they know what they are getting into. It will take a lot of marketing. Hard to convince a buyer or dealer to change to your product if it is "just the same" but "will get here faster".

 

[Inspector507]

They may also want to contact the designer (which may or may not have been Midwest), to keep from patent lawsuits as well.

 

[theboman]

Anything they want me to demo and keep is fine in my book.
A 5' rear blade would be nice to start.

 

[nomad]

What implements are they going to manufacture there?
Aerator?

 

[HayDR]

Midwest do not have exclusive ownership on their current designs and have not filled Appearance Patents as a result of not owning their own designs. In fact Midwest may have to drastically change some of their designs as a result of expired license agreements.

 

[nomad]

Midwest implements are not patent/design protected.
If so, which of their products have patents?
Aerator has?
No.

 

[Gary_in_Indiana]

Today I actually found out who did what and such on the original equipment like my box blade and, without naming all of the companies involved, can answer some of the questions on this.

In the days when I bought my box blade, it was designed by company A, manufactured by company B and then marketed by company C under their name.

Now, company B is doing their own marketing and still using the designs from company A. They have, individually and collectively, parted company with company C, which is still marketing attachments under their name which either they manufacture and market themselves or are manufactured by someone else for them to market.

In any event, it seems all three are doing well and life goes on. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif I know nothing of this new startup company or what they're doing.

 

[Inspector507]

Hopefully company A covered their a$$ and had it patented /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[JimMc]

On a brighter note - Inspector - what's the deal with the new logo? Given up on tractors /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif and taken up cars /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif for a hobby? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif ( See - even if I don't post I do check up on my buddies at TBN )