The End of the Road for ABU

[Robert Janssen]

 The end has come for the ABU factory in Svängsta.
About ten days ago, the last Swedish reels left the factory.

And, perhaps just a few hours ago, the last day of work ended for many of the last handful of workers.

Unless they are sitting there right this very minute, friends and co-workers alike, sharing memories, telling stories of the glory days, or maybe just walking through empty rooms and listening to the walls tell their tale.

After over one hundred years, it is all over.

Fuk Sycamore Partners and their corporate greed. I wish them a miserable Christmas.

.

[foakes]

Another chapter of life in the angling world...

Surprised they hung on as long as they did.

😪😪

Best, Fred

[Keta]

I hope Penn survives.

[MarkT]

Everything made in China and Korea now? Penn's levelwinds are made at that same Korean plant.

[Keta]

The Torque and International reels are built or assembled in the US.

I have a ABU Alphmar that has some parts interchangability with Fathom level wind reels.

[Benni3]

Not good,,,,

[Swami805]

That's a shame, the corporate overlords can't squeeze enough out of them to keep the shareholders happy

[Hardy Boy]

It's all China now and what isn't soon will be...... sad but true


Todd

[oc1]

They should make a museum in the old building.  Maybe Svängsta needs another attraction for the holiday fishing crowd.

[Midway Tommy]

It was inevitable, considering past news on the subject, but still a sad, sad, day!     

[SPARTACUS]

I hope Penn survives.

Well yes and maybe No

PENN Reels
hasn't exactly "sold out" in a single event but has changed ownership multiple times, notably being acquired by Sea Striker/Master Fishing in 2003, then K2 Sports in 2007, Jarden Corp (Pure Fishing) in 2010, and finally by Newell Brands in 2016, before Pure Fishing (including Penn) was sold to Sycamore Partners in 2019, so they're part of a larger portfolio and still very much in business.
Here's a timeline of ownership changes:

The foreign made Penn 133H's are PURE CRAP I can attest.
I bought 3 NEW ones from a offshoot of Dicks Sporting Goods a few years back for 65 bux a piece and could immediately feel the difference in weight and quality. 

    2003: Acquired by Sea Striker/Master Fishing Tackle.
    2007: Bought by K2 Sports.
    2010 (approx): K2 acquired by Jarden, adding Penn to Pure Fishing.
    2016: Jarden (and Pure Fishing) acquired by Newell Brands.
    2019: Newell Brands sold Pure Fishing (including Penn) to Sycamore Partners.

So, while you can't point to one "sell out" date, Penn is now under Sycamore Partners, continuing its legacy within the Pure Fishing group.

[Keta]

For now.

[Midway Tommy]

Considering their ownership, it's only a matter of time. Don't set your hopes too high. 🥴

[Gfish]

My philosophy is that there is both good and bad with most things. Manufacturing companies have been selling and buying each other forever it seems. Usually, the quality is cheapened when this occurs. What's good about the modern financial corporation consolidation of manufacturing companies?... ahhh, ummmm...,?
Ok, the market for old school single country company products improves for sellers.