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 )

 

[Inspector507]

Nope Jim,
Thats the car that semi-retired Bill Elliott will run at Indianapolis in August. He had planned to run 12-15 races this year, but so far this is #4. Been my favorite since 1988 /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[bull8_32]

I have followed tractor by net for some time now, but by simply viewing the posts. I never felt the need to respond on an issue until now.

I happen to know that Midwest has changed all designs due to warranty issues and not the fear of appearance patents or license agreements. They are now doing their own designing and are producing better products for Kioti, and other dealers and customers.

It would probably be a mistake for the Marion Company to make products with a defective design.

Is JimMacElroy in fact Jim McCuan of integration engineering who designed the products for Midwest Equipment?

 

[JimMc]

This is one I can answer. Nope, not me.

 

[HayDR]

Big O,
Are you saying that all the production for the last 3 years are flawed? What about this years Kioti production? Just which designs did they purchase? I think you meant to say that you were trying to improve & change your products and not infringe on any of the patent issues. So my next question is when will we see the new production? Are these designs totally new or are they modifications of existing proven designs?

 

[Gary_in_Indiana]

<font color="blue"> "I happen to know that Midwest has changed all designs due to warranty issues and not the fear of appearance patents or license agreements. They are now doing their own designing and are producing better products for Kioti, and other dealers and customers." </font>

I have no horse in this race but still felt obligated to mention a couple things.

A first post by a new member criticizing the design (and hence the designer) of a product I happen to own raises some questions in my mind, especially when I've had zero problems with my attachment. Further, early on in the process of these being marketed, I had occasion to correspond and even speak with the designer and, quite frankly, that was probably the sole reason I bought one.

I was so impressed with him and his knowledge and commitment that I bought one 100% sight (and site) unseen. I have to say, as I have before on here, that if that implement came up missing some day I'd buy another one without the first moment's hesitation.

How about a little fairness here instead of something like this?