Change coming to MB

[Russ]

The Wall Street Journal reported today that MB posted a 55% fall in operating profit during the fiscal first half. Richemont will assign a new CEO and implement changes to "widen its target audience" and make MB a more "accessible luxury brand." I wonder if this means the "Crossicization" of MB.

[MisterBoll]

Does this mean every man, woman, and child will be able to afford a 149?

[Jeph]

It is more likely that there will be a flood of 849's made in China to be sold to the masses like most of the other big boys already have.

[I like mango pudding]

It will be like Mercedes did to their marketing. Lots of affordable B200 type fountain pens. Maybe some will be made in Mexico?

[MisterBoll]

It will be like Mercedes did to their marketing. Lots of affordable B200 type fountain pens. Maybe some will be made in Mexico?

Do you think lots? I'm thinking they'll do a few (more) 'affordable' pens, etc. as bait to the more expensive ones while still maintaining an air of upper crusty-ness.

[tandaina]

I wouldn't mind seeing them do a bit of Pelikan. The 149 = M1000 and something new for those of us who buy M200s and M400s. ;)

[jar]

Just a WAG but pretty likely:

fewer fountain pens
more ball points and roller balls as entry level products
more accessories like iPhone and iPad covers, shopping bags, pocketbooks ...

[Russ]

Just a WAG but pretty likely:

fewer fountain pens
more ball points and roller balls as entry level products
more accessories like iPhone and iPad covers, shopping bags, pocketbooks ...

Agreed.

[KrazyIvan]

That seems to be the trend. The key is going to be in how you introduce lower end models without ruining the prestige in the name of the brand. Apple is doing just that and hired away Britain's Burberry chief to help them do it. http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/16/technology/apple-hires-burberry-ceo-angela-ahrendts.html?_r=0

[MisterBoll]

I remember, back in the day, when Mercedes Benz were considered luxury cars. At this point in time the brand has been diluted but, you can still spend a fortune and a half on one. I'm not saying this is a good or bad thing - it just is.

[MisterBoll]

6839

[Fawkes]

Actually, this doesn't bother me at all if they go back to their pre-1980s layout where they had first, second and third tier models to choose from. Aside from the current LEs, today's Meisterstück range is boring and in need of a facelift.

[KrazyIvan]

6839

Oh you are bad. :crazy_pilot:

[MisterBoll]

6839

Oh you are bad. :crazy_pilot:

Well, as Al Kooper once said, "A possible projection of the future."

Didn't (or doesn't) Namiki make Dunhill pens? They might want to keep it all in the family.

[Laura N]

Montblanc's famous name is because of the pens, but when you go to a Boutique you realize how far they have extended their line. Whatever the new chief executive is planning might have very little to do with pens.

[MisterBoll]

Montblanc's famous name is because of the pens, but when you go to a Boutique you realize how far they have extended their line. Whatever the new chief executive is planning might have very little to do with pens.

I'm sure the new direction will be dictated by China.

Watch the watches.

[Paul-H]

The good news for Montblanc is that if they do want to shift manufacturing to China they are already setup to make the smaller classique range of pens and some of them are quite good already. www.chinesepensupplier.com is a good example. Their MB copies have all the right marks and glow red under a bright light, so MB would have no dificulty finding a manufacturer to make a lower cost version or even their higher priced pens if they wanted to risk it,

Paul

[kaisnowbird]

Montblanc's famous name is because of the pens, but when you go to a Boutique you realize how far they have extended their line. Whatever the new chief executive is planning might have very little to do with pens.

Yep. It will probably have a second tier brand like many of the fashion houses and sell 'younger' accessories (leather goods, quartz movement watches, fragrances and other fun things with the MB star on it).

[hsianloon]

Crossization......the term itself strikes fear in my heart

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[talkinghead]

Big Yawn....

[fountainpenkid]

I would be very surprised if they released any pens.

[Mags]

Mont Blanc may want to allow some additional retailers access to sell their lines of pen, wallets, day timers, and inks at the sub $600 price points and move boutiques as the premium plus $600 goodies. I think it weird that Costco sells star walkers now but quality paper and pen stores who use to sell MB can no longer sell the lines.


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[MisterBoll]

After a brief meditation with the god of writing, and as a result - the ruler of fountain pens, I was given this illumination -

"I shall set this forth thus, Pelikan is fun for the whole family, Montblanc is don't touch your father's pens."

[jar]

Until fairly recently Montblanc was a full range manufacturer with pens priced from student/entry level on up to the high end and the change to a "Luxury Brand" pretty much made Montblanc irrelevant.

The question is whether Montblanc wishes to continue down the path of irrelevance or return to being a fountain pen maker.

Unfortunately, I fear it is the former.

[I like mango pudding]

They might start being sold at Staples again

[fountainpenkid]

If they see the fp market as one of viable growth and income, then maybe we will see some interesting things coming, but I don't think it is.

[ChrisC]

Maybe they should do what Pelikan did with the 101n and with the new limited production tortoise browns. Make them semi-affordable limited production/editions.
Perhaps make remakes of the celluloid Meisterstucks, like the 13x and maybe even just celluloid versions of the 14x's. They don't need the teloscoping piston, maybe just being made of black or striated celluloid would entice people to buy them. This won't save the company, but every bit helps.

Maybe selling the inks and a lower-tier (like the old 2xx and 3xx series) at Staples would help? I doubt it would cannibalize 1xx series sales. The availability of the vintage lower tiers doesnt seem to deter anyone from paying for modern Meisterstucks.

[erpe]

If affordable pens still need to be send in to the mothership for proper cleaning and repair/modification, I will skip anyway. I will wait for the design of the budget line (if such a thing will come), most of the current models are not my taste...

[Jack]

I am unlikely to buy such a pen unless I win the lottery but I can dream!

[picautomaton]

What if they started making the 1xx series out of plastic instead of 'precious resin', reduce the price and user serviceable, steel hand finished nibs instead of gold.... Oh and give everyone their green striated series .. how loud do we need to SHOUT

[MisterBoll]

What if they started making the 1xx series out of plastic instead of 'precious resin'


"Precious resin" is plastic.

[Jon Szanto]

Heh. That's right up there with "Soylent Green is people!"

[pajaro]

MB made in India alongside the Parker Frontier.

Well, I've got mine.

[j01270]

I tend to concur with you. The problems can be fixed, though.

[Littlepen]

Is MB problems one not of products but lack of outlets there seems to be less and less around.In Sheffield there were 3 places that had a limited range now it's a little shelf in a pen stand with staff that have no specialist knowledge.The closest boutique is now Nottingham not ideal.

[CS388]

Leather. Jewellery. Fragrances. Accessories. All sold in high-end attractive packaging (boxes inside boxes). Probably some more watches, too?

The luxury goods market is a fickle master, but I'm sure Richemont knows the ropes.

Pens? Dunno. Most of the brands under their umbrella keep a line of their original cultural heritage available, but I wouldn't expect any big changes in the FPs on offer. Yes, we love them, but most people see them as a novelty item. Not a lot of profit to be made there, in the general populace.

Just guessing.
Enjoy.