Powerquest Factory
 

Anything going on at PQ. I have been trying to get phone and e-mail messages to them and no answer. E-mail bounces back and calls aren't returned .

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Been in contact with John Alden Babbitt, sent me a lot of documentation. Waiting for a response since the September 29 and haven't heard anything about him yet

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I am not 100% sure but I heard they shut down about a month ago.

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Tom,
Do you mean they might have went out of business?
I will bring your props to the meeting, I never had a chance to try them, I think I'm going to just buy the 4 blades.

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I heard that a new owner is taking over and might open doors
again in about a month.
Again this is what I heard and Im not 100% sure if its true or not.
Hopefully the PQ name will go on.

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Wow, first I've heard of that - didn't the company change hands a couple years back?

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Last I talked with Rick at PQ a couple months ago they took in a pretty good number of new boat orders. If I'm not mistaken the current owner really has no experience in the Boat building business. So maybe in this case change would be good? If its true.

Re: Powerquest Factory
 

Hopefully everybody got their boats they ordered.
and it would be nice to see someone take over the company and bring PQ reputation back to were it was the early 1990s, when owning a PQ meant something and everybody wanted one.
Maybe Todd K could take it over again.

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Are you guys sure?????? I will say the quality has not been there in several years. We looked a new 26 and the 1997 we bought blows the new ones away. I plan to call Monday myself. I had planed on having them do some vinyl work for me.

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I drive by every day on the way to work.

For a couple of years now the crew has been getting smaller and smaller judging by the number of cars in the parking lot.

The last couple of months the factory crew has been there on and off. Office staff appeared to be there on a regular basis.

A couple of weeks ago - no cars at all and a sign on the door that says something like "all meetings for this week need to be arranged".

It's pretty sad when compared with how busy the place was 5 years ago.

Marc

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About when did they close?

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I was there on a tour with Winnea about 4 weeks ago . I met him at about 4:00 and none of the employees were there but about 3-4 boats were in various stages of construction and there was one complete 32' Sun Cruiser in the shop.
Being my first visit there I was surprised how small it was but it appeared to be an ongoing operation. However, it was odd none of the employees were around at 4:00. I believe Rick said the shop closes at 3:00.
Sure hope PQ keeps going, I really like their boats!!!!! :drink: :drink:

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PQ had a second shift,when they were builting my boat I used to go and check it out after work and that was a 3 hour drive from Chicago which got me there around 8:00 pm.

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Mark Winea now works for S 2 Yaghts and has for a couple of months

company has been bought by a company with deep pockets so this may help the company

It is my bet they well come out stronger

don't count them out yet

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I beleive they let Mark go the Friday of the last Powerquest Rally. Any idea as to who the new owner is?

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I drive past the factory as well on a regular basis since it is on my way to work. I can confirm that the place has been dark and empty for the past month. No cars and no lights on in the office. Although the big outside light by the boat hoist is still illuminated.

Hopefully they will be back in production soon because they make outstanding boats! :cool:

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"A company with deep pockets" - that wouldn't be a certain conglomerate that makes powerplants as well, would it?

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Does it take deep pockets to make a sucessful company??
or someone with a vision and dedication at building great boats and making customer satisfaction job 1.

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Plus you wonder where the employees went. I doubt they are waiting around to be called back to work.

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You know it's a funny time we live in. And more so with our sport. Gas is at a record high , the economy certainly not the greatest. Which would make one think out sport should be heading south. However??? I don't think I've ever seen more new performance boats at our docks this year as in past. And I'm not talking small boats like my 26. I'm talking 37' and above.
Which shows quality sells! Companies like Sunsation come to mind. You talk with anyone that owns one and you'll hear nothing but praise. PQ used to be that way and could again with the right people. But big money may not be the answer. A good business mind , love for the sport, product and customers will. Well o.k one must have a little extra jack to put in the pot.

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I've owned both PQ and Sunsation. Right now Sunsation factory service rates with the best of the best. Plus their build quality is excellent. Those two and fair pricing make them one of the best values.

I am not knocking my PQ, or PQs in general. I really liked that boat. I just think the Sun is a better value today.

Go back about 10 years and I think Sunsation was chasing PQ. Now the tables are probably turned, and just the opposite is true. PQ has a great history and I think they could come back stronger than ever with the right ownership and vision.

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John, I remember years ago looking at the 25 Aggressor and thinking what a cheaply put together boat. Interiors were as basic as they get. Now they are a work of art with some of the best fit and finish in the business. Last year at the show the interiors on the PQ's was pretty poor. You could tell they were cutting corners where ever they could. If you'd put a 10 yr old PQ next to a new one. Other than graphics the old is a much more superior product. The beauty is it really won't take much to get that quality back. Getting past customers on the other hand will take a little effort.
I only hope that some of the past employees like Rick Gimmel get the opportunity to come back as well as Mandi. Great people!

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Back when Jack M took over PQ I heard so many people talk and comment on how PQ is going to be a better company because Jack had to money to put in the company .
Like I said before money is not the answer,Quality and
customer service is.

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Wow this is not what I wanted to read about. Just tried to call PQ with no answer. :eek: Hopefully they will get it together and rebound, I have been a very happy customer and have been treated well in the past so I hope the new owners will have good customer service. Does anyone now who the new owners could be? I'm sure there is some sort of rumor out there.

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Who has the inside track on this?! Someone out there MUST have the skinny on what the heck is going on? This thread went around about 6 months ago and several people had the inside info and now nothin. Back then all was well and there were taking boat orders like mad, bad info???How about you holland residents, what gives. Some one needs to call Rick at home..... :eek:

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We will get you in a 43 sooner or later :p

Oh yeah - I guess that will be next spring, at least for a ride :evilb:

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I agree, and like Boatnt says, focus on quality and customer will bring them back. They have always had a great following, and they have had a good selection so those who want to can move up when they want.

All except for Rich - he wants a 42 PQ :eek:

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I'll put a call into the dealer I bought mine from last spring and see what they know. I'll post tomorrow.

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There is another thread out on the general forum. Rich, check it out - you will enjoy the commentator.

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Hay folks I was there on a tour with Winnea the first week of October. The place was empty ( no employees) at 4:00 but there were still several boats in the process of construction and one Sun Cruiser finished. . Winnea said there was a new owner but gave no indication of doom. Howerer I did see the prototype Poker Run addition sitting outside and it was a long long way from being much of anything close to a working model.
I share everyones concern, I love their boats and am on my third. Know one make a more spacious, comfortable go fast. I have never had an issue with their quality or value and up to now have had outstanding customer service.
If there are new owner's we need to let them know we want them back !!!!!!!
One of the previous posts said something about a
John Alden Babbitt. Does that mean anything to anyone?????

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I was the one that spoke about John Alden Babbitt. I'm living in Quebec Canada and there is no dealer near by and I was in communication with this guy from PQ. He sent me a lot of documentation about PQ boats. I guess he is the sales manager that takes care of people who wants info on the web.
He gave me real good service until september 29 that was the last time I heard about him

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It's Official! I talked with someone today that had the inside scoop. Turns out Keebler Cookie bought the plant :eek: :eek: . There's your deep pockets! And they plan on keeping all the models other than downsizing them all to 1/2 scale.
Those elfs don't need all that room. :D :D :D

Gotta have fun with this!!! They'll be back open in a month or so.

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I have a 280Silencer and I think the quality is great.My friends have Fountains, Donzis & Formulas and my quality is as good if not better.The older PQs must have really sumtin' !Hope they open again with the same people(probably at half salary since they'll be sellin' the half size boats for half price!)BOB

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I understand they have lots of dough! :chimp: But it might be just part of a half-baked plan to make cookie cutter boats........

In all seriousness, I hope they come back and continue to provide the outstanding customer service and quality they had before.

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I'm sure there going to be some pretty elf-in fast boats!

Dave that was good!! :D :D

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By the way from what I was told today Magicfloat was right on the new owners. Sounds like they have yet to close the deal, but should be soon. Was also told they are working laying up a few boats but close at 2:30 everyday. So not all is lost and they will be back up and running stronger than ever. So with that said go order that new boat!

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You guys are funny! Thanks for the chuckle this morning. :D
But seriously, I think Bob has nailed it. I've watched many brand new boats come into the club (all of the above included) that all have had bigger issues than my PQ ever had. And my boat has held up beautifully over 4 years. Still looks brand new without a single stress crack anywhere. Couple of cig burns in the carpet, but I don't think those are factory related. :rolleyes:

Here's to PQ coming back even stronger. They do build a great boat!

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I wonder where the employee base will come from with a lot of these people not working and probably went on elsewhere to make ends meet. That would mean a lot of green newbies would need to be hired & trained (by someone?). I don't think I would want one of the first several new boats built by that crew during the learning curve. Basically you just don't stop for a period, then jump back in the game and not miss a beat. The equipment and materials inside also deteriorate from neglect or lack of use/maintenance. There are issues that come along with a shutdown, especially in a small facility.

Customer service begins with good honorable people who mean and do what they say, and not just blow smoke. PQ has to recruit and maintain good people put in the right positions for an extended time, to regain or attain the label of a stand-up boat builder who takes care of it's followers. If deep pockets has any bearing whatsoever on improving upon PQ's reputation, the burden and rightful attention should fall in the people category.

Sudden covert happenings like this surprise work stoppage, always unnerves me in terms of wondering what their intentions are. Why not just come clean on it upfront and assure folks things will be back on track after a brief intermission? :confused:

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I agree Reckless - a key is going to be where did the best workers go? And are they willing to come back?

Maybe they are going across the state to build the F4! :eek: