Rapala buys Strikemaster

[folke2000]

I just saw on the Strib that Rapala has purchased Strikemaster of Big Lake for $9.24 million. I hope they don't move out of Big lake....One of the main reasons I bought a Strikemaster this year.

Folke

[MidCoast]

That was the main reason I bought a Strikemaster too.

[Finlander]

Strikemaster and Rapala are top quality companies. Don't see any reason they would de-grade from here!

[splakeshaker]

I asked strikemaster if they were going to stay in Big Lake on facebook. The vague answer I received was..

"We are still trying to ship product and finish up this season!!!!"

I think some major changes are on the way.

[mwalleye]

I bought into strikemaster 3 years ago techumseh motor piston and cylinder head out had it serviced yearly. Must have been that way from the start. I didnt no that they quit using tech. and that they went out of business now I bought into them one more time with the new motor company (solo) and they sell out I hope for the brand that it only improves.

[dan z]

hope they (Rapala) keep up with the great tradition of the service. could be some major moves but if the service and product stays the same I will still be an avid user of there products...

[IceHawk]

Was in there today and was told they were moving to minnetonka. They were not sureyet, but they said there may be a service dept in the old bldg still up in the air! Lets only hope

[FirstIce]

Was in there today and was told they were moving to minnetonka. They were not sureyet, but they said there may be a service dept in the old bldg still up in the air! Lets only hope

Could be. I believe Rapala is in Minnetonka.

[Chef]

The good news is that all of the business operations and people will remain here in the USA. Goes for the Marcum acquisition as well...

[CaptainMusky]

The good news is that all of the business operations and people will remain here in the USA. Goes for the Marcum acquisition as well...

Marcum wasnt acquired by anyone. Marcum and Rapala entered an exclusive relationship, but were not acquired by Rapala.

[outdoorsmin]

Yah Rapala is in Minnetonka off of 169 in the Opus area.

[Bigtom]

[ozzie]

I was just at the Big Lake shop and the tech told me they close shop at the end of the month. He is out of a job and he has no clue what is going to happen to the augers and who could service them. He said it will be your local small engine shop that will service them. This is a major bummer as they are good people at that shop and now they will be unemployed!!

[Gordie]

Yep my sis-inlaws works there and is with out a job also once they close.

This really bites as they had the best service bar none IMO.

[BartmanMN]

Grrrrrr. This is really bad news, did they offer to transfer their jobs to Minnetonka? Maybe I should run in for blades and pitch tweak before the end of the year.

[ozzie]

yep I brought mine in for some work and had them put in a carb and do some other minor things since they won't be around the next time I use the auger...(next year)

[CrappieAttitude]

Why would they let their service department and techs go? Are they getting rid of it all together, or just the Big Lake location. Will they have their own crew in Minnetonka?

That really makes no sense to me. Those guys were the reason their customer service reputation was as good as it was.

I am totally bummed...

CA

[hanson]

Wonder if a guy could buy stock in D-Rock right now?

Eliminating customer service & repairs direct from Strikemaster is a gawd aweful decision by management. Just goes to show they don't quite know the business they have gotten themselves into. Sad. Unless... quality control goes through the roof where service isn't required. Strikemaster's reputation is built on quality and unbelievable customer service from a local company. You can't change too many of those pieces without shooting yourself in the foot.

[Gordie]

Eliminating customer service & repairs direct from Strikemaster is a gawd aweful decision by management. Just goes to show they don't quite know the business they have gotten themselves into. Sad. Unless... quality control goes through the roof where service isn't required. Strikemaster's reputation is built on quality and unbelievable customer service from a local company. You can't change too many of those pieces without shooting yourself in the foot.

+1

[buzbunni]

Eliminating customer service & repairs direct from Strikemaster is a gawd aweful decision by management. Just goes to show they don't quite know the business they have gotten themselves into. Sad. Unless... quality control goes through the roof where service isn't required. Strikemaster's reputation is built on quality and unbelievable customer service from a local company. You can't change too many of those pieces without shooting yourself in the foot.

+2

Not good news for the consumer, and this from a big fan of Rapala products.

Hold your breath all you want you wishful thinkers. Mark my words, 2 yrs from now we will be rueing this day; the indicators are already evident.

Sad indeed.

PS. Keeping my '98 Mag 2000 for sure now.

[river rat316]

I knew it wasn't going to be good, Rapala is going to screw things up royally. Looks like I will be looking for a new auger brand next year, not totally ruling out Strikemaster but this puts Jiffy and Nils ahead of them imho

[BartmanMN]

The extent of Rapala's previous customer service experience has related to warranty work and factory defect replacement. All they would need to do was simply review the claim and replace the product if need be. This is completely different than the Strikmaster support model which envolves a high level of "touch" to physically work on the product to get the original back out the door with a satisfied customer. Hopefully they see the light and understand their previous model does not fit here.

[Lip_Ripper Guy]

Hold your breath all you want you wishful thinkers. Mark my words, 2 yrs from now we will be rueing this day; the indicators are already evident.

Sadly, I think you are right on with this. Strikemaster (currently) has probably the best customer service I have seen, in any industry. I would imagine anyone who has experienced a trip to Big Lake will agree. Time will tell how these changes affect a great company, but closing down Big Lake seems like a really big mistake.

[ozzie]

better go out and buy some spare parts while they are available also... iam picking up a spare carb kit and recoil kit as they seem to be the most common problems I have seen or had

[mainbutter]

I think it's interesting how much speculation is going on about how terrible things are going to be, just because of an acquisition and site move.

Because, you know, Minnetonka is every bit as far away as china.