Marklin is Insolvent
Marklin – the German manufacturer of fine model trains - has filed for insolvency (something close to bankruptcy in most parts of the world) after being unable to repay a 50 million euro loan that fell due in January.
The company now hopes that the insolvency regulators will allow Marklin to restructure and emerge even stronger than ever.
That’s sad news for a company about to celebrate its 150th anniversary.
March 21st, 2009 at 12:56 pm
I can’t image a world without Marklin…. I’ve had Marklin trains for almost 50yrs and continue to collect even now.
What if all the Marklin enthusiasts all over the world were to donate $5.00 to a “save Marklin fund” and use this to pay out the outstanding debts, and help to reorganise the company.. (They must be in the millions) It could work.. Look at what Richard Branson did with the Virgin group of companies. He took a chance (on a number of occasions) and has never looked back !! This is a company that deserves the support of all it’s customers after all the years of enjoyment they have given to (what’s now) millions of people worldwide…Think about it Folks… It really wouldn’t take much to make this a reality !!!! – Post your support on this website and let’s see what happens !!!
June 24th, 2009 at 10:55 am
I know some time has passed since the Marklin announcement, but I think this is a sad reflection on the state of corporate structure now and the way money works globally, by that I mean that there seems to be a disconnect between high quality products e.g. Marklin Trains and financial viability e.g. staying out of bankruptcy.
For a time (maybe it was a short time) it at least seemed like building a great product was a strong hedge to business success. It’s interesting how real world economic changes can even have influence on model railroading. the one past time that many of us do to get a break from that kind of stuff.
October 21st, 2010 at 7:54 am
This is sad news, but how on earth did they manage to rack up a loan of 50 millions euros?
Many companies are facing hard times at the moment, and I suppose when times are hard it is companies just like marklin that are likely to go under. Model Trains aren’t exactly necessary commodities.
Well not for everyone
November 7th, 2010 at 8:50 am
Marklin trains are still very collectible and the pride of my collection. Cheers!