Woodland Scenics plant burns down

[Dave V]

To all that are not going to buy anything from ARM ever again -- it's your nose.
I think he was just offering his services - needed now more than ever.
Al

There was a far more sensitive way to say so than "Have you tried Arizona Rock and Mineral?" There was no other substantiating information.  I imagine he didn't mean to illicit the reaction he did, but because of the way Facebook comments and shared links work, he essentially tagged an advertisement for his own product on the news story of his competitor burning down.  There's no way to paint that as tactful no matter the intent.

[mcjaco]

See that's it's coming from the guy that is always "going to close down/retire/sell the business/etc" I'm not surprised.

[davidgray1974]

Not sure how many people were following their page on facebook, but there are only 11 now.

[VGN50]

Hey Al,

Not sure what your comment "its your nose" meant, but I'll take it at face value.

It is certainly not my loss.

Good news!  AR&M is/was for sale.  Asking price $100K.  Says the operation can be hauled away.  I'm guessing it comes with a map showing the best desert roads for collecting sand and rock.  Assuming this sale includes what is usually termed "goodwill" the price just tanked.  You might want to consider buying it.  Offer him a couple of hundred bucks.  It's his loss.

Mark

[inkaneer]

it looks like Intermountain has company in the most 'assinine comment to make dept.'  Except I believe AR&M's comment is even worse than the 'PRR is fifth tier' comment of Intermountain  as it comes on the heels of a tragic loss to a competitor.   My original job after military duty was with an industrial rubber products supplier.  Hoses, conveyor belts, clothing, all the stuff that makes for a good fire with lots of thick black smoke.   One of our competitors sustained a fire loss that nearly wiped them out.   They had insurance but insurance settlements take time.  My employer stepped into the breech and donated goods for this competetor to sell until they were back on their feet.  No fanfare, no PR, no announcement to the news media, he just did it.  Afterwards we learned that he actually saved this competitor from going out of business.  He didn't have to do that but it made you feel good to be working for such a generous guy.

[unittrain]

I'm very happy that all the employees are safe. I hope they will be back to work soon.

[Hiroe]

.... he essentially tagged an advertisement for his own product on the news story of his competitor burning down.  There's no way to paint that as tactful no matter the intent.

Exactly. And unless he's immediately forthcoming with a proper apology for his complete lack of tact, I would stop buying from him, too. (Not that I ever have before; but this isn't likely to make me a new customer.)

Personally, I don't understand why anyone would let their supposed "need" for a nonessential hobby product trump a proper sense of ethics, implications of spiteful-nose-cutting notwithstanding. It's not like he's the only (remaining) bakery in a town full of hungry people.

[Puddington]

In the paper industry it's "dog eat dog"...until someone has an accident or a disaster like this; then it's "Rally round the flag time".... We lend equipment, parts, knowledge, people, whatever.... often done way below senior management level, it's like the old cartoon "Sam and Ralph the sheepdog".... from 9-5 we'll beat the crap out of each other, but when the going get's tough....you know the rest...

There is no reason for a compeditor to try and make hay 4 hours after people loss their livelyhood in a fire.... you either say; "dang, that's rotten, can we help and good luck" or you say nothing.... a commercial was inexcusable....

I am really disgusted by the AR&M guy; and would be the first one to say it to his face. But as I can't, I'll say it with the silence of my wallet.

[Dave V]

Posted by Bob Grubba of BLI to Woodland Scenics' Facebook page about an hour ago:

Sorry to hear about the fire. Could not reach via phone. As you rebuild, Broadway Limited would help in any way possible. We have ample warehouse space in FL in which you could recieve and ship product. We also have some office space and could host phone/internet if needed. Contact me here, or Ken Silvestri at 386-673-8900, ext 103. Bob Grubba, President, Broadway Limited Imports, LLC

A much classier response.  I've been very frustrated by BLI due to the now legendary N scale PRR M1a/b debacle, but this is the kind of outreach that characterizes a business I would prefer to support with my cash.  Not sure if Bob saw the blowback from Philip Anderson's post, but either way, to offer warehouse space is a very kind gesture.  Granted, BLI and WS are not directly competing the way AR&M is, but still...

WS also indicates that many employees reported today for operations per normal.  I guess the extent of damage to the overall product line is not yet known, but WS certainly sounds optimistic.  That's a very good thing.

[wm3798]

Of course BLI has plenty of warehouse space... it's certainly uncontaminated by actual products....

[Dave V]

Of course BLI has plenty of warehouse space... it's certainly uncontaminated by actual products....

FTW!

[lock4244]

Of course BLI has plenty of warehouse space... it's certainly uncontaminated by actual products....

+1

Read the fire started in the roof area... bet it was a welder's torch. Read the NFPA Journal and its amazing how often large loss fires are started by a welders torch.

As for ARM... like school on Sunday, no class.

[jmlaboda - RIP]

The company will survive... and it is reported that they had several warehouses that were located close by.

"Gone" is such a harsh word... shame that so many pessimists abound.  The company is healthy and they will bounce back.  It will take a little time but things will get going again.

[chuck geiger]

As you may have heard we have experienced a fire here at Woodland Scenics and there is good news and bad news. The good news is that no one was hurt during the fire or evacuation process. The bad news is that it took out a couple of our manufacturing buildings. However, and fortunately, there is more good news than bad.

We encompass multiple buildings that are spread out all over the town of Linn Creek. We only lost two of those buildings and those two contained just a small portion of our manufacturing facilities. Our shipping department, warehouse and corporate offices were spared any damage, as were most of our manufacturing buildings, so it is business as usual.

Thanks for all your concerns.

Respectfully,

Gale Cousins
Director of Sales & Customer Service
Woodland Scenics"

[Scottl]

Thanks, about as good of news as could be hoped for.