Fwd: Re: Who owns Leica?

[Jack Hamilton <0002022804@mcimail.com>]

-- [ From: Jack Hamilton * EMC.Ver #2.3 ] --


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> Date: Friday, 03-Nov-95 09:02 PM
> 
> From: Jack Hamilton            \ Internet:    (photogroup@msn.com)
> To:   ch                       \ Internet:    (ewelch@gp.magick.net)
> To:   leica-users              \ Internet:   
> (leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us)
> 
> Subject: Re: Who owns Leica?
> 
> ERIC:
> I agree with your detailing of how the current Leica Camera GMBH is set up.
> I've been kidding some of the designers of the Leica www. site about this.
Our
> viewpoint, as Americans, is about Leica camera. ...and Leica camera only
> counts for about 12% of the current Leitz business., so they have explained
to
> me.
> 
> So we look at "oranges" and they are talking about apples.
> 
> I think that you are going to start to see the emergence of the new Leica
> camera...Positioned initially to give the Contax g series a run for its
money.
> 
> Probably, the Leica CL-2 (patterned on the same technology as the Mini-Lux,
> but with interchangeable lenses) will be the next camera to be unveiled.
> 
> Leica, by its own admission is technologically about five-years behind where
> it wants to be...and now they are trying to make up the time...and this is
> according to the Leica U. S. President.
> 
> By the way Eric, have you seen the article of the Leica Mystique. Leica New
> York was sending them out to those who asked for them.
> 
> Cordially,
> Jack Hamilton
> Milwaukee, Wisconsin
> 
> -------- REPLY, Original message follows --------
> 
> > Date: Friday, 03-Nov-95 08:54 PM
> > 
> > From: ch                       \ Internet:    (ewelch@gp.magick.net)
> > From: ch                       \ Internet:    (ewelch@gp.magick.net)
> > To:   Jack Hamilton            \ MCI Mail:    (JHAMILTON / MCI ID: 202-2804)
> > 
> > Subject: Re: Who owns Leica?
> > 
> > ** Reply to note from Charles Albertson <chucko@eskimo.com> 11/02/95  6:
47pm
> > -0800  > Actually, I believe Leica Camera (in Solms) was bought out by its
> > current    > management several years ago. 
> > 
> > That is correct. In fact, if I remember correctly, it was in part a way of
> > keeping a    group of American investors from getting their hands on it.
> Boy,
> > imagine if that    would have happened. Leica would have probably become
the
> > Wal Mart of cameras. :-) 
> > 
> > No, that's Sigma's job. I know, Leica would have maintained their "air" of
> > precision    through fancy marketing while reducing labor costs by putting
> > lots of plastic in    everything and reducing quality control. Shoot, how
> can
> > any company stay in business    with a worker to inspector ratio of 2:1.
And
> > all that expensive equipment built in    house, and all that R&D into new
> > glasses and such. Sheesh, why don't we farm out lens    assemby to Vietnam
> or
> > Cambodia? Or Mexico? And pay the workers minimum wage. Shoot,    we'll just
> > hold pep rallys to keep their spirits up. Lot's better than all that   
> > expesnsive training of skilled labor. 
> > 
> > Sarcasm mode off..... ;-) 
> > 
> > As a matter of fact, I heard the American investors planned to kill off the
> R
> > system    and sell only the M system. Which is stupid, since the R system
> > sells better than the    M system about everywehere than the U.S. And with
> > Leica profits up 30% last year, I    guess they much be doing something
> right.
> > The only camera company to post an increase    in sales besides Leica was
> > Contax. Is there a thread here? How about precision and    uncompromising
> > quality?
> > 
> > 
> > Regards, 
> > 
> > Eric Welch 
> > Grants Pass, OR
> > 
> > 
> > 
> 
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> 

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