Bowens company restructuring - good or bad news?

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Has anyone noticed that Bowens are auctioning a large amount of manufacturing equipment? This includes injection moulders, presses, various welders, cutters, lathes, drills, milling machines, saws, spray booths, crimpers and sewing machines!

http://www.edwardsymmons.com/online-auctions?task=getitem&auction_id=144

It says the sale is "due to the re-organisation within the group and relocation of their Clacton on Sea premises." Sounds like they're closing their UK factory, then.

I guess I shouldn't be surprised. Our Bowens repair guy warns us off the new gear, saying that the old stuff is better made and will last longer (e.g. the Esprit 500 flashes we use, which are pre-digital readout). He said it's mostly made in China now, anyway.

So have Bowens stopped manufacturing altogether in the UK, and they're getting it done in China?

What's the general opinion of this? Would you say that Bowens make stuff that's as good as it always was, or that the quality is declining?

Sorry if this has already been discussed, but I had a search and couldn't see it. If it fits better elsewhere, mods feel free to move it! :)
 
Don't know if the quality is declining but its no surprise that they are moving manufacturing to China. They have to compete on price just like everyone else or they go out of business. Sad but true.

Regards...
 
Yes, it's a real shame. Don't get me wrong, it's not like everything made in China is of poor quality, but it can be very hit and miss. We got some top notch banners from a Chinese company. Ordered the same product again, and they'd made "improvements" that just made it cheap and flimsy.
 
Bowens failed to update their QuadX range and can no longer compete with the likes of Balcar, Profoto etc so they are concentrating their efforts on the prosumer market.
I still have their "traveller" range of equipment and its still going strong after 20 years although its rarely used these days as I switched over to Elinchrom's Ranger and Quadra packs.
 
I dont think Balcar is still one of the big guys, it's Profoto, Elichrom, Hensel...

Or maybe Bowens failed to come up of hot products in the past couple of years, no innovation, no growth...
 
Even our Pro range of Bowens lights from their current line-up are made in China, so it's not really unexpected. Someone did tell me that Elinchroms are all made in India now - so I guess you have to keep pace.
 
andygrif said:
Someone did tell me that Elinchroms are all made in India now - so I guess you have to keep pace.
Click to expand...
From what I understand:

Elinchrom's lower range items are made in India (D-Lites and BXRIs) and are labelled on their website with "Swiss Engineering".
Their upper range flash kit is still manufactured in Switzerland and labeled on their website as "Made in Switzerland".
I've no idea about where they manufacture their multitude of accessories, but I'd be surprised if they weren't outsourced.

Not that it should matter much, as long as high quality controls are rigorously maintained.

Cheers,
Tony
 
At the moment I can't see much point in operating from the UK. The Government and all the self perpetuating public bodies bleed you dry so it can maintain the ever growing welfare army.
 
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