Full Version: No More Libbey for Marck

From: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#1]
 26 Aug 2006
To: ALL

In the mail yesterday I received an attractive new 2006/07 Libbey Glassware catalog from Marck and Asscoiates. I didn't request these, so it is likely they sent these out to all of their customers.

On the Marck website I ran across this announcement dated August 22, 2006. LINK

This was obviously unplanned and an abrupt change effecting Marck.

From the tone of the announcement letter from Marck and Associate's President, I speculate that he wouldn't mind having our support to help reverse this decision. I would recommend, if you are so moved, that we take a minute to call or e-mail Charles Rice to discuss this decision.

Libbey has several different market divisions. You can see where Charles Rice fits into the mix below.

Brenda Bennett, Vice President, Consumer Marketing
Robert A. Bules, Vice President, Foodservice Sales
Gretchen Gotthart Skeldon, Vice President, Industrial Sales
Terry Hartman, Vice President, Engineering, Research & Development
Jeff Joyce, Vice President, Retail Sales
Peter D. Kasper, Vice President, Foodservice Marketing
David A. Mefferd, Vice President, Export Sales
Michel Nouafo, Vice President, International Marketing
Charles Rice III, Vice President, Premium and Cutter/Decorator Sales

I am speculating, only speculating, that part of this decision may have something to do with Marck's low pricing structure, which fits their business model just fine, but probably effects the "normal" margins of other industry distributors. Libbey can't ask Marck to raise their prices or that would be price fixing, but they can eliminate the problem by taking away their distribution rights. I could be way off, but something stinks here.

EDITED: 26 Aug 2006 by DATAKES

From: gingem [#2]
 27 Aug 2006
To: ALL

This decision is based on the new markets that everyone is having to deal with. Libbey requires minimums to all of their distributors and the first order from a distributor must be $2500.00 which is a lot of glass. This is an order from someone like us through a distributor so it effects everyone involved when someone can sell at lower costs. M. Block has also restructured and changed a lot of their distribution also. Both corporate decisions are based on the engraving and specialty divisions which now sell on their own. Just Business!

From: UncleSteve [#3]
 27 Aug 2006
To: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#1] 27 Aug 2006

No dissagreement BUT don't assume from the list that Rice is at the bottom of the totem pole...... The list is in alphabetical order.... :S 

From: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#4]
 27 Aug 2006
To: UncleSteve [#3] 27 Aug 2006

I knew that, but just wanted to list the different divisions.

From: UncleSteve [#5]
 27 Aug 2006
To: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#4] 27 Aug 2006

Then you did an excellent job of achieving your goal! B-) 

From: Zonas [#6]
 29 Aug 2006
To: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#1] 30 Aug 2006

This really stinks (to put it nicely). I have several libbey selections in my wedding line and now it is two weeks before my first show. I'm just going to have to stress to purchase at the show, so I can guarantee that I have it in stock, while I decide what I'm going to do.

Thanks for the heads up.

Zona

From: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#7]
 30 Aug 2006
To: Zonas [#6] 30 Aug 2006

Zona,

Anchor Hocking has some comparable items, but I'm not sure if the same parent company owns them and Libbey with all of the changes in ownership over the past few years.

From: Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY) [#8]
 30 Aug 2006
To: Zonas [#6] 30 Aug 2006

Arc International (Durand) has many very similar items. Usually the Libby stems are faintly thicker, otherwise they are almost interchangeable.

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