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Knaus gone bust....


Guest JudgeMental

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Posted

My advice to all: keep your head well down, and don't spend on anything that isn't essential in the coming months........ >:-(

 

 

 

 

Of course this will help fulfil the prophecy, but when people's confidence is shaken it's a natural reaction anyway.

I feel glad that I retired (early) 5 years ago, and mortgages,a job are no longer things I have to worry about.....now Inflation and Banks being unsteady is something else. When this is all over there will be a lot less choice of products for everyone. :D :D

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Posted
davenewell@home - 2008-10-16 7:44 PM

 

What's going on here? We've gone from 400 to 1400 to 1600 jobs lost or under threat in a matter of days!

 

D.

 

Their Headquarters and main production line are in Jandelsbrunn, Bavaria.

Presumably the 400 staff mentioned work there.

 

Sinntal is in Hesse, Germany and there is another factory in Nagyoroszi, Hungary.

 

Overall, the company employs 1,500 staff.

 

"After an initial compilation of suppliers in Hesse and Bavaria, about 3,000 people could be affected by the plant closure"

 

It must eventually have a knock-on effect on Truma, Dometic, etc.

 

Just hope I don't need much in the way of 'specialised' spare parts as my

Weinsberg was built on the same line as the Knaus.

 

 

Posted

Spoke to Lowdhams today regarding possible implications to warranty and recent habitation check cover and was told that "someone else had taken them over" no problems!!!! Why do I still worry?

Chris

Posted
Its a very sorry thing to learn about anyone going bust, however we took out a equity release on our house in 04 and in couple of years it will be nearly double to what we "borrowed". We told our children that we are spending there inhertance but way things "were" they would get a tidy sum anyway.Now with falling house prices i wonder what 10 years time will they have.As been said its like throwing a pebble into a pond and have the rippling effect.
Posted
BGD - 2008-10-17 8:59 AM

 

Dave -

 

I think this is what we can expect day after day after day from now on across the Western European economies.

 

People still haven't grasped what the financial meltdown really means, in terms of its devastating knock-on effects in the real world of sales, manufacturing, service industries, retailing, restaurants...everywhere where people depend on other people spending money in order to keep them in work.

 

 

For each of us not yet personally affected it's still just an item on the news channels, a vague feeling of unease perhaps, until the day when your own Company announces losses/redundancies/reduced shifts/no bonuses, and/or you then get a letter saying your services are no longer required.

The latest unemplyment announcement showed that 164,000 more in the UK people got exactly that letter in just the past 3 months.

 

 

It really is gonna be a lot, a huge amount, grimmer, than almost anyone is daring to think about, in the year or two ahaead.

 

My advice to all: keep your head well down, and don't spend on anything that isn't essential in the coming months........ >:-(

No thanks mate. I won't take your depressing advice. I will carry on spending and keeping the economy moving and people in jobs. Jees' I'd hate to live in your world or anywhere near you. It's enough to make you want to cut your wrists. >:-)
Posted
Remember "life is not a rehersal" go out and enjoy, life really is too short too worry whether your motorhome is worth as much in 3-5 years time. By the time you realise the financial crisis was an orchestrated blip the carer will have left, next call is meals on wheels and then the nurse!!!! By the way if you do spend all the money on your dream motorhome the carer and nurse are free and lunch is only £3.00.
Posted

Well said Mirage. My sentiments exactly. If you can do something to stop the worst from happening then do it, if not why worry. Get on with your life and stop depressing people. what some posters fail to take into account with their gloom is that other people on here could have already been severely affected by what's happening. A little tact is called for I think.

Most people are fully aware of the situation so don't need constant reminders by the armchair financial experts on here. >:-)

Posted

Having just purchased a new MH I was in the position That I could have waited untill next year and see if the prices droped, but what was I to do with my old MH next year I dont expect anyone would want to take it in part exchange. it was a difficult decision to make and only time will tell if I did the right thing.

Petedaniel

Posted
davenewell@home - 2008-10-29 7:11 AM

 

Well said Peter and Mirage! Now what is needed is more people of a like mind to come and spend some with me ;-) .

 

D.

 

Would that be spending money with you in your workshop Dave or with you down the pub :-D

Posted

"spend some"

Absolutely!  Recessionary pressures may be created by banks and politicians but recessions themselves are created by all of us acting as worried individuals. No spending = recession!

That is exactly what is happening, the non-food shops are empty and on-line turnover is well down. The old adage 'if you've got it - flaunt it' should perhaps be remodelled as 'If you've got it - for all our sakes spend it'!!

Posted

Well said Mirage/Peter/Neill, without wishing to tempt providence, we are not affected at all by this b****y credit crunch.

 

As I keep asking friends and colleagues who witter on about it, what has actually changed for you? Their replies are invariably the same - nothing!

 

Unless your job is hanging on a loose nail what's the problem?

 

An article on TV recently showed a couple saying they were going to bed hungry and when asked what had changed for them, they replied well nothing really, just a small increase in their weekly shopping bill.

 

Please don't anyone misunderstand me, I have genuine sympathy for anyone who is struggling, but I have little or none for those who have overstretched themselves.

 

 

Martyn

 

 

 

Posted

Martyn -

 

So you haven't yet noticed the elephant in the room?

 

 

 

Give it a few months.

I'm afraid I can GUARANTEE that it'll be trampling all over you by then.

 

Even prior to Gordon's latest lunatic round of even more borrowing, 20% of the UK's entire GDP (and that was when we were actually generating a relatively very high level of GDP) was having to be spent not on hospitals, schools, Police etc etc etc, but JUST on paying interest on loans that the Government had previously taken out.

Note; not repayment of any capital, but just to pay the interest due on them each month.

 

In the past couple of months, and in the months to come, Gordon has ramped UP the rate of Government borrowing enormously.

At a time when GDP is FALLING, tax revenues are FALLING very very rapidly, and demand for Social Security handouts is going to go up through the roof.

 

Government borrowing is one thing, and one thing only: deferred taxation.

 

It would be bad enough if direct tax receipts (from business and individuals earnings) were projected to be increasing, or even stable.

But they are not. They are plunging and the rate of decline will accelerate in the months to come.

It would also be bad enough if the amount of Indirect taxation (taxes on spending) were projected to be stabel or increasing.

But they are not. the rate of spending uopn goods and services by Business and individuals is also pluging, and the rate of decine in this source of revenue for the Government will also increase in the months to come.

 

Which leaves only one place for the Government to get the necessary income to pay the extra interest on all this additional borrowing (and to repay all the capital too in the longer term), and that is by drammatically INCREASING either the rates of direct taxation, and/or the rates of indirect taxation.

 

Every person who either earns any money in the UK, or spends any money in the UK, or has any form of investment in the UK will, without any doubt, have to pay a lot more in tax in the months, years and decades to come to fund this borrowing.

 

Any person who uses any form of wholly or part-publically funded service in the UK at national or local level (schools, hospitals, nursing homes, social services, policing, libraries, leisure centres) will inevitably see substantial cutbacks in funding and thus closures and reduced service levels into the future.

 

Rates of crime will rise substantially (as they always have in previous recessions), particularly burglaries, theft and robberies.

 

Property prices will continue to plummet.

 

New investment in technology, products, healthcare, drugs, services etc by Companies throughout the UK will dry up as they battle just to survive.

 

 

 

Yes it's apocalyptic.

But this is what is actually coming.

Really.

 

 

 

Honestly, I'm not being unduly negative. I am simply telling it like it is.

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Earlier posts deleted, as this post got published several times!)

Posted
John H - 2008-10-29 9:27 AM

 

davenewell@home - 2008-10-29 7:11 AM

 

Well said Peter and Mirage! Now what is needed is more people of a like mind to come and spend some with me ;-) .

 

D.

 

Would that be spending money with you in your workshop Dave or with you down the pub :-D

I'd buy Dave a pint anytime. :D
Posted

Why does this thread bring the poets and the politicians to the fore!! I doubt if any of you own a KNAUS, the dealer will not be able to replace parts (plastic mouldings etc.) will they bolt on a piece of a SWIFT or do I run around with no skirt on one side. The point of the thread was to let other KNAUS owners that there could be light at the end of the tunnel. My WORRY is, is it right because only me appears to know. If you stick the FIAT gearbox to the above then you will not only have the problem of loosing money ( if you sell) but it could cost thousands just to run. Ask ANDY and the other thousands in the UK and Europe if they are WORRIED. Again, how many of you have the the FIAT Ducato base. If you want to rule the world or become Poet Laureates then why not have appropriate threads POLITICIANS and or SHAKESPEARE.

Chris.

 

Posted
BGD - 2008-10-29 1:53 PM

 

Martyn -

 

So you haven't yet noticed the elephant in the room?

 

 

 

Give it a few months.

I'm afraid I can GUARANTEE that it'll be trampling all over you by then.

 

Even prior to Gordon's latest lunatic round of even more borrowing, 20% of the UK's entire GDP (and that was when we were actually generating a relatively very high level of GDP) was having to be spent not on hospitals, schools, Police etc etc etc, but JUST on paying interest on loans that the Government had previously taken out.

Note; not repayment of any capital, but just to pay the interest due on them each month.

 

In the past couple of months, and in the months to come, Gordon has ramped UP the rate of Government borrowing enormously.

At a time when GDP is FALLING, tax revenues are FALLING very very rapidly, and demand for Social Security handouts is going to go up through the roof.

 

Government borrowing is one thing, and one thing only: deferred taxation.

 

It would be bad enough if direct tax receipts (from business and individuals earnings) were projected to be increasing, or even stable.

But they are not. They are plunging and the rate of decline will accelerate in the months to come.

It would also be bad enough if the amount of Indirect taxation (taxes on spending) were projected to be stabel or increasing.

But they are not. the rate of spending uopn goods and services by Business and individuals is also pluging, and the rate of decine in this source of revenue for the Government will also increase in the months to come.

 

Which leaves only one place for the Government to get the necessary income to pay the extra interest on all this additional borrowing (and to repay all the capital too in the longer term), and that is by drammatically INCREASING either the rates of direct taxation, and/or the rates of indirect taxation.

 

Every person who either earns any money in the UK, or spends any money in the UK, or has any form of investment in the UK will, without any doubt, have to pay a lot more in tax in the months, years and decades to come to fund this borrowing.

 

Any person who uses any form of wholly or part-publically funded service in the UK at national or local level (schools, hospitals, nursing homes, social services, policing, libraries, leisure centres) will inevitably see substantial cutbacks in funding and thus closures and reduced service levels into the future.

 

Rates of crime will rise substantially (as they always have in previous recessions), particularly burglaries, theft and robberies.

 

Property prices will continue to plummet.

 

New investment in technology, products, healthcare, drugs, services etc by Companies throughout the UK will dry up as they battle just to survive.

 

 

 

Yes it's apocalyptic.

But this is what is actually coming.

Really.

 

 

 

Honestly, I'm not being unduly negative. I am simply telling it like it is.

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Earlier posts deleted, as this post got published several times!)

Why are you so concerned? you don't even live here. We are fuly aware of what's going on. So you think it's going to be apocalyptic BGD as you've pointed out. In your imense wisdom of economic matters, what do you propose we do about it....what can we do about it?. Yes....that's right, nothing. Because if everyone stops spending and goes into the bunker it will be a damn sight worse. >:-)
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Posted
webbocj - 2008-10-29 2:12 PM

 

Why does this thread bring the poets and the politicians to the fore!! I doubt if any of you own a KNAUS, the dealer will not be able to replace parts (plastic mouldings etc.) will they bolt on a piece of a SWIFT or do I run around with no skirt on one side. The point of the thread was to let other KNAUS owners that there could be light at the end of the tunnel. My WORRY is, is it right because only me appears to know. If you stick the FIAT gearbox to the above then you will not only have the problem of loosing money ( if you sell) but it could cost thousands just to run. Ask ANDY and the other thousands in the UK and Europe if they are WORRIED. Again, how many of you have the the FIAT Ducato base. If you want to rule the world or become Poet Laureates then why not have appropriate threads POLITICIANS and or SHAKESPEARE.

Chris.

 

I see your angle Chris but whenever a normal group conversation anywhere takes place and evolves it tends to veer on and off the original subject.

 

Although I don't have a Knaus I appreciate that your posting was designed to help others who do and it was a kind thought.

 

I am neither a poet nor a politician - merely a diplomat - ask those who know me about my legendary diplomacy skills, so please don't get upset.

 

Just because the topics change it does not mean that the original message is lost as it is still there and what all 'irrelevant' postings do is keep it towards the top of page one and prevent it from being lost in the depths of the previous threads list.

 

So it ain't all bad now is it?

Posted

Peter -

 

Feel free to do nothing.

Feel free not to alter any of your behaviours or spending patterns ( at least whilst those remain in your gift).

Feel free not to think about or criticise the policies that contributed to this situation.

Those are your personal choices, and your life and your future economic circumstances will flow from them.

 

 

 

I choose a different course.

 

I am, and will continue to review my personal expenditure priorities.

I am, and will continue through this recession, reducing unnecessary personal spending.

I am reviewing the security and efficiency of my savings and investments to minimise losses and the risk of further losses; and to maximise gains in niche markets.

I am engaging in careful thought, debate and discussion on the issues that will flow from this, in an effort to learn more; and also to assist others.

I am seeking to use my knowledge of economics and business to assist others to plan, before the economic storm hits them personally.

I am voicing my deep criticisms of the Governments' reckless economic policies of the past decade that have contributed to this mess, in order that in some tiny measure some people may listen and apply pressure to avoid them in future.

 

Those are my personal choices; and my life and my future economic circumstances will flow from them.

 

 

 

 

 

Posted

I'll keep my fingers crossed that the company is able to refinance and arise phoenix-like as a going concern with a very large spares bin.

 

My Knaus is a great product which has already provided 18 months' of sheer joy. "Helga" (Svelte German body in a French setting a la Allo Allo) has been generally reliable too - with just a duff kitchen light unit and a broken TV cupboard catch replaced under Knaus warranty and a new control panel on the fridge/freezer courtesy of Dometic.

 

Our purchase budget predicated a 20-year asset life so I was rather hoping spares would be available for a reasonable part of that time..... Still, I expect most internal fittings can be substituted for others but the fancy plastic bits shielding Helga's modesty at her lissome rear may be a problem were she to suffer physical assault and the company not resurrected. :-(

 

Bob

Posted

Chris, please accept my apologies for hijacking your Knaus thread. Good luck to all the Knaus owners by the way.

 

Whilst here I may as well say, Bruce, I'll plonk a reply on chatterbox.

 

Martyn

Posted
John H - 2008-10-29 9:27 AM

 

davenewell@home - 2008-10-29 7:11 AM

 

Well said Peter and Mirage! Now what is needed is more people of a like mind to come and spend some with me ;-) .

 

D.

 

Would that be spending money with you in your workshop Dave or with you down the pub :-D

 

Well either would do :D but preferably the first followed by the latter :D :D .

 

D.

Posted
peter - 2008-10-29 2:11 PM

 

John H - 2008-10-29 9:27 AM

 

davenewell@home - 2008-10-29 7:11 AM

 

Well said Peter and Mirage! Now what is needed is more people of a like mind to come and spend some with me ;-) .

 

D.

 

Would that be spending money with you in your workshop Dave or with you down the pub :-D

I'd buy Dave a pint anytime. :D

 

Cheers Pete, I'll drink to that :D .

 

D.

Posted
BGD - 2008-10-29 3:07 PM

 

Peter -

 

Feel free to do nothing.

Feel free not to alter any of your behaviours or spending patterns ( at least whilst those remain in your gift).

Feel free not to think about or criticise the policies that contributed to this situation.

Those are your personal choices, and your life and your future economic circumstances will flow from them.

 

 

 

I choose a different course.

 

I am, and will continue to review my personal expenditure priorities.

I am, and will continue through this recession, reducing unnecessary personal spending.

I am reviewing the security and efficiency of my savings and investments to minimise losses and the risk of further losses; and to maximise gains in niche markets.

I am engaging in careful thought, debate and discussion on the issues that will flow from this, in an effort to learn more; and also to assist others.

I am seeking to use my knowledge of economics and business to assist others to plan, before the economic storm hits them personally.

I am voicing my deep criticisms of the Governments' reckless economic policies of the past decade that have contributed to this mess, in order that in some tiny measure some people may listen and apply pressure to avoid them in future.

 

Those are my personal choices; and my life and my future economic circumstances will flow from them.

 

 

 

 

And so sayeth the Lord. Amen. As an aside, you don't know my circumstances to ascertain whether any downturn will seriously affect me. Well I can tell you with certainty that it won't. Hope you are in the same position. :D

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