Vale Brothers and all

[teapot]

Another one potentially biting the dust administration wise

Historic equestrian manufacturer faces uncertain future | TheBusinessDesk.com

The company, established in the 18th Century, has filed a notice of intention to appoint administrators

www.thebusinessdesk.com

 

[MuddyMonster]

How sad. I wonder if they are a victim of their own success as the quality is so good, people don't need to often.

I was thinking of getting another Thermatex soon as well

 

[teapot]

More likely a victim of other brands, one in particular that shall remain nameless...

 

[[153312]]

How sad. I wonder if they are a victim of their own success as the quality is so good, people don't need to often.

I was thinking of getting another Thermatex soon as well

I thought this. I am using my mum's old brushes from about 30 years ago still!

 

[SilverLinings]

I've seen another article that stated that the company in trouble is just a manufacturer for Jeffries, Thermatex et al, and that they could turn to other manufacturers if this one closes. Unfortunately though the H&H article looks like the manufacturer may own the brands, and having had a quick look on Companies House Jeffries and Thermatex have the same person as Company Director

I hope someone saves them, and not a mass-marketer like Sports Direct. It is such a shame that there are so few independent companies any more.

 

[Nasicus]

More likely a victim of other brands, one in particular that shall remain nameless...

And people wonder why I absolutely refuse to buy anything from that brand!

 

[Red-1]

Nooo, not Nuumed again? They seem to still have a functioning website??

 

[Sossigpoker]

I'd better go order another numnah then !
The H&H quoted the reason being the massive increase in materials thanks to certain Russian lunatic waging war.

 

[Hobo2]

I've just had a delivery from them I really hope we don't lose Nuumed again. It did take a little longer to come than my last one which I ordered over the phone.

 

[DabDab]

Yeah, wasn't entirely surprised when I saw the news article in this. A good friend worked for them until about 9 months ago and it sounded like there was a fair few business management issues that had built up. All the brands involved still have good brand equity though, so I should think that they will be snapped up by someone else

 

[ycbm]

More likely a victim of other brands, one in particular that shall remain nameless...

Unless there are illegal practices going on, how can a company be a "victim" if it folds because a competitor is offering customers what they want at a lower price/better quality/better service/better image?
.

 

[criso]

Since the seconds sales have gone online, I've built up my Thermatex collection (now have original, summer knit, horse walker and quarter sheet) but would struggle with the full price.

 

[teapot]

Unless there are illegal practices going on, how can a company be a "victim" if it folds because a competitor is offering customers what they want at a lower price/better quality/better service/better image?
.

The company I’m thinking of doesn’t really fit that mould, instead well known for ripping off others’ ideas… Chuck in a bit of a cult like customer base, and I can easily see why other individual brands would suffer!

 

[MuddyMonster]

Since the seconds sales have gone online, I've built up my Thermatex collection (now have original, summer knit, horse walker and quarter sheet) but would struggle with the full price.

The seconds sales are fab! So is the FB group.

I must admit, I've bought my first couple of saddle pads either second hand or from trade stand sales as I'd initially struggle to pay so much for a saddle pad initially but they are so brilliant I can justify it now. I was going to ask for a new one for Christmas in my colour (rather than the black and navy I have) so hope they continue

 

[Surbie]

I really hope Nuumed continues - they are such fantastic quality, as well as having an XL size. I've ditched my other saddlepads for them.

 

[Tiddlypom]

The company I’m thinking of doesn’t really fit that mould, instead well known for ripping off others’ ideas… Chuck in a bit of a cult like customer base, and I can easily see why other individual brands would suffer!

Plus their goods are of inferior quality, but their groupies are hooked on them .

They are good at extracting money from the gullible.

 

[Squeak]

From the Vale Brothers website it doesn't look like Nuumed are one of their companies. They've got these ones listed:
Thermatex
Equerry
Stablemates
Jeffries
Harry Dabbs
KBF99
Edward Goddard
Brady Bags

 

[Surbie]

Vale Brothers are the listed company on the Nuumed website though.

 

[Squeak]

Vale Brothers are the listed company on the Nuumed website though.

Oh that's a real shame if they are at risk too.

 

[Bobthecob15]

This makes me so sad, Thermatex are iconic!

But part of me feels it is inevitable considering now there are multiple cheaper alternatives whereas 20yrs ago nobody else did anything like Thermatex..I hope they can be saved

 

[Annagain]

I'm going to have to stock up on 15 years worth of nummeds to see me through my riding days if they're at risk again. 1 should do it! I still have the one I bought with Archie's saddle when I first had him nearly 19 years ago, It's probably got a month or two's use left in it - it's almost threadbare but hasn't quite gone through yey!

I've bought another 3 since then too (for two horses) all brown. Nuumed were definitely almost a victim of its own high standards and top quality products, although branching into different colours and dare I say matchy matchy (without compromising quality) might have been a better business model.

 

[Surbie]

I'm going to get a couple of extra Nuumed ones too - the poor people at the factory only have the article published in H&H.

 

[Maesfen]

Plus their goods are of inferior quality, but their groupies are hooked on them .

They are good at extracting money from the gullible.

I'm totally out of the loop but are we talking about Pampered Ego by any chance (to save my account!)? Have to say I've never rated their stuff. Thermatex all the way,

 

[ester]

No, LM is my guess

 

[ycbm]

I was guessing LeMieux too and I'm not quite sure why everyone is fighting shy of saying it.

Their marketing is top notch, if others fail to market their products well then they can hardly blame LeMieux if customers buy theirs! The LeMieux saddle cloths I bought, though very expensive, were also very well made.

Thermatex in particular were eye watering for the price, damaged extremely easily, had cheap and few fastenings for that amount of money and in the last few years weren't marketed, that I've seen, to explain why they were worth it.

Ditto the Dabbs brand, I've never seen the curved waffle girths I write about on HHO advertised, I just came across them on ebay by accident.
.

 

[criso]

This makes me so sad, Thermatex are iconic!

But part of me feels it is inevitable considering now there are multiple cheaper alternatives whereas 20yrs ago nobody else did anything like Thermatex..I hope they can be saved

The thing is £220+ for a rug is a lot. I was telling people at the yard about my seconds sale purchases nd many who hadn't really heard of Thermatex thought even £80 was a lot to pay for a cooler..

Thermatex in particular were eye watering for the price, damaged extremely easily, had cheap and few fastenings for that amount of money and in the last few years weren't marketed, that I've seen, to explain why they were worth it.

They do have a social media presence but as they make rugs to order, they are not something you come across in shops so fewer opportunities for new customers to see the brand plus would you spend that sort of money for something you've never seen.

My rugs have the plastic clips and my knitted summer sheet is over 10 years old and they are still working fine.

I've always been slightly irritated by the "you have to buy a size smaller" thing. Why not make them so if you need a 6'6", you buy a 6'6".

 

[Nasicus]

No, LM is my guess

That was certainly who I was referring to!

 

[Maesfen]

No, LM is my guess

As in a foreign sounding one word? Then yes, they're rubbish anyway,

ETA: I have used and lusted after Thermatex from almost as soon as they were on the market. Nothing comes close to them as the Colin Cook Thermalux, their nearest rival is much heavier but very similar except with cross surcingles. I have both the 'normal' and a summer weight Thermatex; they must be nearly 18 years at least, if not older. Still as good as new except for a few snags which I have cussed the horses thoroughly for but a needle and thread soon sorts them out; without exception, every fastening is still perfect so I'd say they are well worth their money and they hold their money too if you look on ebay.

 

[sbloom]

I've always been slightly irritated by the "you have to buy a size smaller" thing. Why not make them so if you need a 6'6", you buy a 6'6".

Because customers would then measure the rug and say it isn't the length stated, I could guarantee it! They stretch once on the horse, hence the discrepancy.

I had the Lansdown equivalent after having had a Thermatex and I slightly preferred it. Very similar.

 

[ycbm]

I had the Swish(?) version, material just as effective and luxurious, proper buckles and cross surcingles, half the price.
.