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/te...ndts.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]

Attachment 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]

Attachment 6839

Oh you are bad.

[MisterBoll]

Attachment 6839

Oh you are bad.

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....