Penn cleans house

[ProfessorM]

My buddy that works for the Penn repair department told me yesterday that the company has fired the President and CEO, the National Service Manager, and the Vice President of Manufacturing. He say's morale is very low. He also said that he doubts that there will ever be a made in America spinning reel made by Penn again. That was the factory that all but closed down a month ago, they made the spinning reel's there. He also said that they are slow but sure making even the replacement parts in China too. Too bad because that was a big selling point for Penn, the made in America tag. Stiff competion requires the use of the cheapest labor I guess. The way he see's it eventually all the manufacturing will be done overseas. Paul

[porcupine]

Every salt water reel I have is a Penn! I consider Penn an American icon just like Harley Davidson, what are they doing?????

[tynan19]

Originally Posted by porcupine

, what are they doing?????

Making money.

[afterhours]

made in usa....a fading logo. china- next industrial superpower, they will shape the globes economy

[beachwalker]

Originally Posted by Professor Moriarty

My buddy that works for the Penn repair department told me yesterday that the company has fired the President and CEO, the National Service Manager, and the Vice President of Manufacturing. He say's morale is very low. He also said that he doubts that there will ever be a made in America spinning reel made by Penn again. That was the factory that all but closed down a month ago, they made the spinning reel's there. He also said that they are slow but sure making even the replacement parts in China too. Too bad because that was a big selling point for Penn, the made in America tag. Stiff competion requires the use of the cheapest labor I guess. The way he see's it eventually all the manufacturing will be done overseas. Paul

bummer. but that is the result of living in a POST- INDUSTRIAL NATION. No such thing as out sourcing.

FREE ENTERPRISE RULES !

[fishdog13]

Every salt water reel I have is a Penn! I consider Penn an American icon just like Harley Davidson, what are they doing?????

[steelhead]

Trying to survive... It's a dog eat dog world out there. Whether we like it or not, China's where it's at til further notice. Sadly, we're gutting our own work force in the process.

[mikecc]

Penn's first problem is they are out of touch with the consumer.
They IMO just placed the nail in the coffin.
Once again they have underestimated the consumer.
In the past when Penn was top of the line reels they refused address the problem issues with their reels. When they did respond it was out of desperation because of lost market share. How many years of the consumer telling them that Penn’s bails flip does it take for them to listen? Well apparently they still do not get it because we are going on 20 years and nothing has been done other than telling the consumer they have the reel handle in the wrong position while casting.
They addressed the issues on the 5500SS and after 3 changes and 15 years they still did not get it right. So they discontinue the reel and come out with a new version called the SSg .
Well lets talk about their newest.
It finally got a infinite Anti-Reverse. All other companies have had it for over 5 years. Even on their cheapest $20 reels! They have not addressed the spool taper. And with every one running braid today they did not even put an oversized line roller on the series of reels. So their newest reel is already outdated.

If Penn would just listen.
For at least 4 years I have committed to a large quaint of reels. I call it the improved 704 /706
Give me this reel with a infinite Anti-Reverse , newer improved Bail spring ,drilled out rotor like a VS, Anodized finish not painted, oversized Line Roller Bearing. Does not have to be sealed .Hell with only 3 moving internal parts a kid could clean it in 5 min.
They could sell this reel in the $200 range
What does Penn do??
They move a problem reel that most guys were on the edge of using to a fixed rediculious price
From $85 to $129. and move its production overseas. Thus guaranteeing it’s extension.

The only way people are going to go back to Penn is if they get the same reel as they have been getting for 10 years and drop the price to $50 in level with all the other imported reels.
There is no reason for the consumer to support Penn now that they have moved their spinning reels overseas.

The steps that should have been taken are .
Clean house starting with the Management and then moving to the design and research and development. Replace them with a new team that will directly listen to the consumer and address the issues with their reels. And most of all remain in the USA

[spence]

Mike, don't hold back...please tell us what you're thinking

As someone who was just shopping for a new reel I couldn't agree more. There are very few options available for the surfcaster, and the one diehard has recently sold it's soul.

-spence

[mikecc]

Originally Posted by mikecc

Penn's first problem is they are out of touch with the consumer.
They IMO just placed the nail in the coffin.
Once again they have underestimated the consumer.
In the past when Penn was top of the line reels they refused address the problem issues with their reels. When they did respond it was out of desperation because of lost market share. How many years of the consumer telling them that Penn’s bails flip does it take for them to listen? Well apparently they still do not get it because we are going on 20 years and nothing has been done other than telling the consumer they have the reel handle in the wrong position while casting.
They addressed the issues on the 5500SS and after 3 changes and 15 years they still did not get it right. So they discontinue the reel and come out with a new version called the SSg .
Well lets talk about their newest.
It finally got a infinite Anti-Reverse. All other companies have had it for over 5 years. Even on their cheapest $20 reels! They have not addressed the spool taper. And with every one running braid today they did not even put an oversized line roller on the series of reels. So their newest reel is already outdated.

If Penn would just listen.
For at least 4 years I have committed to a large quaint of reels. I call it the improved 704 /706
Give me this reel with a infinite Anti-Reverse , newer improved Bail spring ,drilled out rotor like a VS, Anodized finish not painted, oversized Line Roller Bearing. Does not have to be sealed .Hell with only 3 moving internal parts a kid could clean it in 5 min.
They could sell this reel in the $200 range
What does Penn do??
They move a problem reel that most guys were on the edge of using to a fixed rediculious price
From $85 to $129. and move its production overseas. Thus guaranteeing it’s extension.

The only way people are going to go back to Penn is if they get the same reel as they have been getting for 10 years and drop the price to $50 in level with all the other imported reels.
There is no reason for the consumer to support Penn now that they have moved their spinning reels overseas.

The steps that should have been taken are .
Clean house starting with the Management and then moving to the design and research and development. Replace them with a new team that will directly listen to the consumer and address the issues with their reels. And most of all remain in the USA

..