Heller declared bankrupt

[Weaver]

Just got this in the latest Hannants newsletter:

"Message; we have recently heard that Heller have been declared bankrupt and no buyer has yet been found. It might be a good idea to stock up with Heller kits."

[Army of One]

Oh no.......such a shame.....I thought modelling was on the rise again.....

[Thorvic]

Going from how they brought down Humbrol and therefore Airfix I suspect the business will do the same and liquidate the company then buy up the name and the tooling's, as the Factory at Trun was an expensive millstone made thrice as bad by French employment laws.

A great shame too loose another great name and their range of kits many of which are quite unique, I'm sure something will come out from the wreckage but not sure if it could be something like Airfix where the brand is retained in France with a skilled design house to maintain the existing product line and develop new one to the latest standards but with cheaper production offshore. 

[Nick]

I have to admit not knowing what kits Heller make these days. I've not seen any new Heller kits in UK shops for years.

Might the tools be bought by Airfix or another firm?

[Thorvic]

I have to admit not knowing what kits Heller make these days. I've not seen any new Heller kits in UK shops for years.

Might the tools be bought by Airfix or another firm?

I don't think Hornby have the money and I suspect their are only a few tooling's they would consider viable such as the 707/AWACS etc.

[Dizzyfugu]

That's sad news - not that Heller would have been an outstanding manufacturer, but the kits are in many cases decent offerings (even though not up to date with today's standards) and also some exotic models like the Etendard IVM which was just re-released after many years. Things like the 1:43 cars are IMHO cool, too. I hope that some investor takes care of the brand and the moulds - but I doubt that any big company will tackle that. I'd assume that Heller will disappear. 

[Weaver]

I have to admit not knowing what kits Heller make these days. I've not seen any new Heller kits in UK shops for years.

Might the tools be bought by Airfix or another firm?

I don't think Hornby have the money and I suspect their are only a few tooling's they would consider viable such as the 707/AWACS etc.

They should bite their hands off for the 1/72nd Mirage IIIE, Draken and Viggen tools.

It would be a terrible shame to see Heller go. Whatever their quality issues, they've put huge effort into doing justice to the history of the French aircraft industry, and it's very unlikely that anyone else would do the same.

[NARSES2]

I do hope the moulds survive, and indeed they probably will do, as it would be such a shame to lose all the French historical stuff. Mind you a lot of those old aircraft kits of 30's subjects are now produced by SMER

[kitnut617]

How many times has this happened in the past    , I've lost count now ---     seem to remember at least twice already --

[rickshaw]

Heller?  Shame, they made some unique kits.  I'm in the market for their Swedish aircraft and their French jets in 1/72.  Their prices will now increased.   

Hopefully something will be salvaged from the wreckage.

[Vorcha]

That shocked me, I just bought a JA 37 Jaktviggen kit from Heller. The future of the company, as it seems, isn't that bleak, however. It was bought by Maped and will be invested in in the future, as Maped officials have assured... here is the source:
http://www.entreprises.ouest-france.fr/article/acquisition-maped-rachete-maquettes-dheller-joustra-dans-lorne-21-03-2016-260298

and here the translated text from google-translate:

"Monday, March 21, 2016
Social
Acquisition. Maped buys the models of Heller Joustra Orne
Maped, world leader in the manufacture of items and school supplies, has acquired the manufacturer of scale models and toys, Heller Joustra, based in Trun, Orne.

Before the Commercial Court

The Commercial Court has ruled. This is the application Maped was chosen for the acquisition of Heller Joustra, placed in receivership for several months. The announcement will be made official on Monday. In a statement that we were able to procure this weekend, Maped said that discussions with the company ornaise "were engaged in January 2015 the initiative of Maped group."

Heller Joustra becomes, in fact, "a 100% subsidiary of Maped". For the manufacturer of school supplies, the goal is to "take a position on the French market for creative leisure with a strong brand." But what about the site and the Orne employees? "His production workshop and supporting teams are maintained at Trun, in Orne, which remains the headquarters of the company and will employ 30 workers. "They are now a small quarantine, excluding trading.

"It was the best offer for the job," says Daniel Delaunay, alderman in Trun and vice president in charge of economic development in Argentan Intercom, which followed the negotiations. We still do not know the starting conditions for dismissed employees, nor the amount of the repurchase transaction.
"Rather good news"

In the department, some fear the departure of this flagship of the model and its 1600 molds that make the wealth of the company: "With the commercial court, we set our three priorities: employment, commercial leases and that the company remains based in Trun. Maped has been selected, a priori, they meet the three, advance with caution, Daniel Delaunay. Still, it is rather good news. "

It must be said Heller Joustra has had its share of dark days. It was ten years ago, almost half of employees were laid off. The last few years, "we managed to fivefold increase our turnover (1.5 million euros to 7.5 million euros) with funds still very tense," highlights Yvonne Demorest, CEO of Heller Joustra, always in the statement. Heller then takes advantage of the tendency of "Made in France" to raise, but the situation of SMEs remains fragile. Communities, including Argentan Intercom, their hands in their pockets to keep the business afloat. Today, Heller Joustra can not do it alone.

Is this the last chance for the manufacturer of French models and toys? Maped promises an action plan to ensure Heller 'profitability and financial autonomy ". Above all, the group evokes "a research plan and ambitious development to beef up its product offering through the addition of new features and innovations planned by the end of 2017". Without specifying the necessary funds. Heller Joustra will, once again, have to reinvent themselves to continue to exist.


Elodie DARDENNE."

[Dizzyfugu]

I have to admit not knowing what kits Heller make these days. I've not seen any new Heller kits in UK shops for years.

Might the tools be bought by Airfix or another firm?

I don't think Hornby have the money and I suspect their are only a few tooling's they would consider viable such as the 707/AWACS etc.

They should bite their hands off for the 1/72nd Mirage IIIE, Draken and Viggen tools.

The Starfighter and the Saab 32 Lansen, too!

[zenrat]

I have a Heller Vampire FB5 on my bench at the moment and I have another plus one of their Dragon Rapides in the stash.
Are these the same moulds that Airfix boxed? 

Both are available from Jays Model Kits in New Zealand.  They say they have "heaps and heaps" of the Vampires but only "just over 1600" of the Dragon Rapides.
Vampire
Dragon Rapide

[Captain Canada]

Definitely sad to hear, but it sounds like they will make a comeback ! Might be time to snag up a few kits anyway.

[PR19_Kit]

I have a Heller Vampire FB5 on my bench at the moment and I have another plus one of their Dragon Rapides in the stash.
Are these the same moulds that Airfix boxed? 

They are indeed.