Classic Metal Works and Round 2 Models

[cfritschle]

I received an email this morning that Round 2 Models had entered a licensing agreement with Classic Metal Works to produce and market the Classic Metal Works and Mini Metals brands of HO and N scale vehicles. 

We all need to thank Bill and Joe Giacci for the work they have done over the last 20 years to bring us the Classic Metal Works line of vehicles.  I wish them the best!

Carter

[Catt]

I hope this means a better quality N scale line as the last few were nothing more than background models to my eyes.

[Mark5]

Weird. Never heard of Round 2.

http://round2corp.com

[peteski]

If you were into plastic model kit building. you would know them well.  They have been around for quite a few years and acquired old molds from AMT, MPC, Hawk, Lindberg, and several others. They also own Johnny Lighting and several other die-cast model manufacturers.

As far as quality or fidelity of CMW N scale models goes I doubt that anything will change.   I doubt they will ever be even close to Wiking, Bush, or Trainworx quality.

[up1950s]

1:72 is their smallest scale listed so far . My guess is the largest source of N scale cars of decent enough quality is over . Maybe round 2 bought the rights to kill the line and thus competition . Hope I am wrong , but their smallest scale listed is screaming in my ear .

[C855B]

Weird. Never heard of Round 2.

http://round2corp.com

Same here. Their niche seems to be buying up tooling and licensing from has-been scale model producers, hence the "Round 2" name. The CMW acquisition appears to be their first foray into MRR scales; I wouldn't automatically write it off because of it. For that matter, from what I see on their site the business model is the nostalgia factor - old tooling exclusively, so I would hold zero hope there will be improvements or additions to the CMW product line. So... CMW has cashed-out best they could, and as far as future CMW-branded product goes, WYSIWYG.

[Philip H]

SO this means we'll have a ton of 1950's Ford utility trucks and 1978 Chevy Impalas.

[sirenwerks]

One could hope their quality and the variety of their Johnny Lightning line (which, remember, did produce N-ish scaled 1930s era vehicles) will seep down to CMW's product line. That being said, the Johnny Lightning line is heavily GM models and Chevy and GM are anti-small stuff for liability issues, and have refused to license N scale models in the past. But the Johnny Lightning brand doesn't rest on its laurels, new purchases are what it thrives on, so if Round 2 keeps going in N scale we can only hope product improvement and development will happen.

[Rich_S]

Here is the email from CMW

Letter From CMW Holdings, LTD to Our Customers


To our valued customers -


As you all know the hobby industry has gone through a tremendous amount of change over the last two decades. One of the most impactful changes has been sourcing our products from China.
The growth of China from a third world country to the second most powerful nation in the world in less than 30 years has caused a cataclysmic shift in far reaching ways. The most impactful for the hobby business, especially small companies like CMW, is being important enough to a Chinese factory's manufacturing capacity. China's "maker to the world" economy has made working with or finding boutique contract manufacturers nearly impossible. And when we do find makers the results are very high pricing coupled with late shipments. These two factors conspired to make business very difficult.

The good news is CMW continues to be the number one seller and innovator of model railroad inspired HO and N scale vehicles. Our products continue to be highly sought after and are featured on numerous model railroads and collections around the world. So how do we continue to provide great products to our consumers while trying to keep pricing in-check and increase speed-to-market?
The solution was to join forces with a qualified US company with the resources to make what we started in 1997 even better. That company had to understand the hobby distributor and retailer, the consumer and have a dedication to producing high quality innovative product. And finally, a company with a large diverse product line that is essential to contracting that factory's total production time.

We accomplished that task which is why I am proud to announce that perfect partner to carry on the legacy of the Classic Metal Works brand - Tom Lowe's Round 2, LLC. Round 2 will now be producing and marketing all of CMW's brands!

My association with Tom Lowe goes back 25+ years to my days at Craft House Corp. We share the same passion for the hobby industry and the products we make. Joe and I could not trust our company's brand equity to a better team. Tom Lowe and the entire Round 2 team understand every facet of the business of hobbies but most importantly they understand our current and future consumer.

Finally and most importantly, Joe and I want to personally thank you for the tremendous support you have given us and our company for the past 20 years. Without you there would not be a Classic Metal Works brand family. We are truly excited for the next 20 years!


Best to all,
Bill and Joe Giacci
CMW Holdings, Ltd.

Here is the email from Round 2 (Yes I'm still collecting AMT Truck Models and Yes, Round 2 has resurrected the AMT name)

Dear  ,


SOUTH BEND, Indiana - 05/04/2017 - Round 2, LLC, is pleased to announce Round2 Corporation will produce and market CMW Holdings, Ltd.'s category leading line of vehicle models and accessories aimed at the model railroad hobby under the Classic Metal Works and Mini Metals brand.

Round 2 announced the licensing agreement April 26. With the agreement, Round 2 now adds the model railroading category to their wide range of hobby products.

Thomas Lowe, President and CEO of Round 2 states, "The addition of the Classic Metal Works line of model railroad inspired HO & N scale vehicle models and accessories was a natural for Round 2, the top producer of model kits, die-cast, and slot-cars. The model railroad category is new for Round 2. But the synergies of CMW and Round 2 were undeniable. The Classic Metal Works brands have been a mainstay in the hobby business for 20 years. We see many profitable opportunities for our dealers and distributors, as well as innovative product experiences for railroaders and other hobbyists. And now Round 2's combined product catalog is now the most diverse in the industry, we fill virtually every type of model kit genre imaginable, die-cast models, slot-cars and now model railroading!

Lowe continues, "We are truly excited about entering the model railroading marketplace. With our diverse product development, marketing and manufacturing resources we plan to be a strong competitor under the 20 year strength of the Classic Metal Works brand. We've already made plans to hit the ground running with more new products and tooling in the pipe line."

Sounds to me they are not only going to produce previous CMW models, but new models are in the pipe line. I can tell you, Round 2 has just released a new AMT kit that originally had missing optional components, that AMT never correct in their production run. From what I've seen so far, Round 2 seems to be a sold company out for the long haul. Just how long the run will last, only time will tell.

[Englewood]

When I grow up I want to write press releases for a living.   

Personally, I'd welcome more Impalas.

[asarge]

I have serious doubts this means more N scale vehicles coming.

[sirenwerks]

I have serious doubts this means more N scale vehicles coming.

We still have Shapeways.

[up1950s]

We still have Shapeways.

All we need to do
 Chrome what needs to be chromed
 Cut the windows out
 Tape the chrome and paint
 Make interiors , chrome and paint
 Chrome and paint the wheels as needed
 Decide on windows , fits and their bends then install them so they don't look like we did them .

All this trouble IS the trouble that troubles me . Shapeways is a good source for cars 30 years earlier that the era modeled for junk yard fodder . Minimal paint , and rust where chrome once was .

We need ready to plop in place cars . This is a huge set back , especially for N scale . Now the fewer parking lots , and roads modeled , the better the scene will be .

[sirenwerks]

All we need to do
 Chrome what needs to be chromed
 Cut the windows out
 Tape the chrome and paint
 Make interiors , chrome and paint
 Chrome and paint the wheels as needed
 Decide on windows , fits and their bends then install them so they don't look like we did them .

All this trouble IS the trouble that troubles me . Shapeways is a good source for cars 30 years earlier that the era modeled for junk yard fodder . Minimal paint , and rust where chrome once was .

We need ready to plop in place cars . This is a huge set back , especially for N scale . Now the fewer parking lots , and roads modeled , the better the scene will be .

You're kinda hung up on chrome, aren't you? Chrome that trim on the CMW models and it makes the out of scale-ness stand out even more. I'd be looking for some way to hide that feature.


Personally, I see CMW as low quality and it didn't meet my respective needs for vehicles well at all (60s era). Now if it could have produced the same quality and the same models as it did in HO, I might lament some, but it didn't. If anything, I'd throw my support behind Showcase Miniatures if it could step up the variety and frequency of new body styles. The models I have from it are excellent, whether there are windows or not or if I have to paint them (which I do to the few CNW anyway since I like variety in all things). Or Busch, if it would N scale its HO line.

[peteski]

Let's not forget our own @Rasputen - his resin cast models are really well done. They only lack windows (but no 3D printing artifacts or fuzz to sand off).  Of course it would be great to have a huge range of vehicles available R-T-R like they have in H0, but that ain't happening anytime soon (if ever).