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Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | http://muskie.outdoorsfirst.com/articles/12.11.2014/7805/Iconic.boa... |
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Location: Minnesota. | Hmmm, I just hope the quality will be upheld and things don't go south there. Sometimes that happens when these transactions come to be. Not always though, so I'm just hoping.
I bought a new Ranger Z118 in '12 after losing my old '97 681VS to a garage fire of my own stupidity. I was afraid it wouldn't be as good of a boat. Man, I'm happy to say I was wrong!
Anyway, I'm just hoping. I have faith.
Thanks for the post/update.
Jeremy. |
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Posts: 556
| I would hope the quality would also remain high--and see no reason why it shouldn't---Ever look at the quality of the Top of the line Targa Aluminum compared to a Lund--every bit as well built as the top aluminum boats in the Industry. I think Bass Pro will do it right with the ranger Name plate. |
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Location: MN | My opinion is that it's a positive change. Bass Pro is in the industry and understands the value of the Ranger brand; it's a premium product to diversify their current holdings and I imagine they will want to keep it that way.
Platinum seemed to manage their investment well and they maintained the brand image. Most PE firms focus on maximizing their IRR from an investment during the duration of the fund, no matter the cost to quality or jobs. Hopefully they left a little juice for Bass Pro and all three parties are happy with the deal. |
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Posts: 1220
| After being there in Flippin last Thursday and Friday in a really big crowd of everything Ranger, I'm quite surprised this was kept so quiet and tight. Personally, I think it will be in good hands with Bass Pro, an angler's company. Also, anybody seeing first hand the way things work under Randy Hopper down there will come away ashtonished at how those folks live and breathe Ranger. I'm 38 years in business and have never seen a staff so in love with product and manufacturing family. Ranger is the standard every boat wants to be! Jumpin in one boat after another ar the Bull Shoals dock and tearing up that lake should be on everybody's bucket list!, |
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Posts: 2384
Location: On the X that marks the mucky spot | The big question is whether BPS will market them exclusively through their own dealerships or stick with the current formula of independents.
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Location: oswego, il | Muskie Treats - 12/11/2014 9:31 PM
The big question is whether BPS will market them exclusively through their own dealerships or stick with the current formula of independents.
if they do they will have to come up with alot of extra floor space. |
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Posts: 572
| Hum. I wonder if Cabela's will be allowed to sell Ranger and Stratos boats in the future. Perhaps, Cabela's might decide to build their own boats to compete with Bass Pro. |
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Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Read the release all the way through, please.
--| Following the closing of the transaction, Fishing Holdings will continue operating independently under its existing management at its headquarters in Flippin, Ark., located a two-hour drive from Bass Pro Shops headquarters in Springfield.
"We are impressed with the company's leadership team and performance and look forward to welcoming them to the Bass Pro Shops family," said Morris.
"We are fortunate to partner with Bass Pro Group, which understands the industry and our brands," said Fishing Holdings President Randy Hopper. "This new alliance will provide synergies that will strengthen our independent dealer base and ensure our continued focus on fishing."|-- |
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| sworrall - 12/11/2014 10:42 PM Read the release all the way through, please. --| Following the closing of the transaction, Fishing Holdings will continue operating independently under its existing management at its headquarters in Flippin, Ark., located a two-hour drive from Bass Pro Shops headquarters in Springfield. "We are impressed with the company's leadership team and performance and look forward to welcoming them to the Bass Pro Shops family," said Morris. "We are fortunate to partner with Bass Pro Group, which understands the industry and our brands," said Fishing Holdings President Randy Hopper. "This new alliance will provide synergies that will strengthen our independent dealer base and ensure our continued focus on fishing."|-- Yes, they'll keep the current leadership in place...which sends a message of stability to potential customers.
But those leaders now have a new boss that can make changes at any time, and the most obvious potential change would be selling Ranger boats out of BPS retail stores. For most independent dealers, this probably won't matter much, but for those who are close to a BPS store, "synergy" means change is coming... |
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Posts: 32789
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | The changes we see as most imminent would be the connection Ranger, Stratos, and Triton have with Cabelas on the tournament front. The sponsorship changes (when they happen) of the Masters Walleye Circuit and the Ranger run Natioal Walleye Tour are going to be interesting, and directly impact OutdoorsFIRST Media. We are pleased the current management team is remaining in place, as we enjoy working with Liddle Marketing and the All Star Walleye Schools.
Agreements with dealers as to territory and 2015 orders and shipments, etc. are in place, and the wording is clear that Fishing Holdings will operate independently. We do not see any other abrupt changes to the MO Ranger, Stratos, or Triton offer now. |
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Location: varies | Synergy?.haven't heard that word in a while ...I thought it was a late 2000's business fad word that was booted out the building on the backs of the six sigma trainers during the 08 crash.
Ranger has been bought and sold several times over its history and did the product quality ever waiver? I doubt consumers will see little change if any unless the new owners clean house for cheaper labor and management or the head makes a bad decision and steers the product down the wrong path. |
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Location: Eastern Ontario | I didn't notice any improvement in the brands gobbled up by Brunswick. Soon won't be able to buy a package without a black motor. |
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Posts: 32789
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | horsehunter - 12/12/2014 8:32 AM
I didn't notice any improvement in the brands gobbled up by Brunswick. Soon won't be able to buy a package without a black motor.
Plenty of independents out there, and Yamaha has a few boat companies. |
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Posts: 1220
| This isn't that different than when (let's say) VW bought Rolls Royce or if Wall-Mart were to purchase Nordstom's. You don't buy the flagship brand (in this case...truer than most examples) so that you can water it down and make something far more pedestrian and ordinary. You covet owning the best that there is and you want it for yourself. This is a rare trophy, not so much a company as it is an institution. Plainly speaking, it's pretty hard to walk around the Ranger plant and not want to go out and buy a Stetson like the one Forest Wood wears. It's a magical brand and no surprise at all the guy who built Bass Pro would want it. |
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Location: MN | horsehunter - 12/12/2014 8:32 AM
I didn't notice any improvement in the brands gobbled up by Brunswick. Soon won't be able to buy a package without a black motor.
Hopefully that is not the case. It seems that a lot hardcore fisherman are more loyal to the brand of motor on the boat than the boat brand itself. Many folks have been steered away from certain boat manufacturers due to only being able to buy a certain motor on the boat they like. The cost and effort to switch out motors is enough to steer most people away. |
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Posts: 75
| "You don't buy the flagship brand (in this case...truer than most examples) so that you can water it down and make something far more pedestrian and ordinary."
FWIW, that is exactly what Macy's did when it purchased Marshall Field's. |
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Location: deephaven mn | Kevin Van Dam might now fish out of a Ranger |
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Posts: 1901
Location: MN | Only went for 75 mil I heard. Thought it would be more. |
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| For the "elite" ranger owner, this is sorta funny. |
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Posts: 1901
Location: MN | Insinuating I assume that BP is not very elite? Won't argue that one way or the other but old Johnny Morris has done pretty well for himself. Big Cedar Lodge is pretty impressive.
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| Propster - 12/13/2014 8:27 AM
Insinuating I assume that BP is not very elite? Won't argue that one way or the other but old Johnny Morris has done pretty well for himself. Big Cedar Lodge is pretty impressive.
BP is a big box store, Walmart of the outdoor world and very successful, it is not the Mercedes of the boat world... |
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Posts: 32789
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Actually, from a business standpoint (and that's what this acquisition is all about) BPS IS the 'Mercedes' of the fishing boat world. The numbers are impressive.
A point many are missing, Tracker Boats didn't buy Ranger, Stratos and Triton, Nitro didn't buy them...Bass Pro did. HUGE difference. |
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Posts: 224
Location: Madison | BenR - 12/13/2014 9:51 AM
Propster - 12/13/2014 8:27 AM
Insinuating I assume that BP is not very elite? Won't argue that one way or the other but old Johnny Morris has done pretty well for himself. Big Cedar Lodge is pretty impressive.
BP is a big box store, Walmart of the outdoor world and very successful, it is not the Mercedes of the boat world...
Lamborghini and Porsche are both owned by Volkswagen. Business 101, and it's not just vehicles.
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| They will still carry the Nitro line? |
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| muskyrat - 12/17/2014 7:18 PM
They will still carry the Nitro line?
I believe they will now be called nitrangers according to Kit.
Edited by BenR 12/17/2014 8:24 PM
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Location: minocqua, wi. | i'd imagine Johny is bright enough to run multiple market pointing businesses. he's likely known and understood by Forrest and vice versa. hopefully he will do what most good business people would do and continue to hit multiple points and keep customers happy.
i wish them success ... ranger itself had become a bit boring and missed the mark on some products, maybe this will provide the capital to do some things some of us Ranger owners have hoped for. |
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Location: Elko - Lake Vermilion | Just exactly What are you Hoping for , Mr. Sled ?? |
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Location: minocqua, wi. | to me the 619-621 is the same boat and the consoles get in the way and with the elimination of the 618 and popularity of the vintage 690's and the cost of the fisherman series ... i'd like to see a fishing boat with target power of 175hp that is akin to the 690's length and beam. |
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Posts: 1220
| Interesting take on the boredom factor with the 600 series. Fact is, the new 620 is a virtually “all new” design. Frankly speaking, there was a clear effort on the part of Ranger and the dealers to keep a tight lid on the changes to give last year’s inventory a chance to clear before people saw the new boat. Now that it’s out there, Ranger came out with really aggressive pricing and giveaways for anyone buying the few remaining 2014’s. Clearly, it’s a very different boat to look at and use while retaining the hull which is outstanding. Honestly, many of the new features favor the walleye guys more than us. From the power-washable rear traction deck, built-in rod storage in the rear port side and flowing under the console, new flat gunnels ready to accept trolling systems and hardware, and the rear work stations, built-in rod holders and net holding receivers….it was the walleye influence that grabbed the biggest portion of Ranger’s ear. That said, even if some of the musky sized gear won’t fit those innovations quite as well, the boat is still really slick, really pretty, and nothing like boring to look at or drive.
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Location: Contrarian Island | "really aggressive pricing" ? ok yah, a new 620 comes in over 70k fully loaded... which puts it out of reach for 99% of the anglers on the water...for 70k I'd rather go buy a new Range Rover... 
I agree a "new" 690 w max hp at 175 and in the 40k range would be a sweet rig and put it within reach of a lot more guys....
Edited by BNelson 12/18/2014 9:58 AM
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Location: Lebanon,Mo | sworrall - 12/13/2014 10:25 AM
Actually, from a business standpoint (and that's what this acquisition is all about) BPS IS the 'Mercedes' of the fishing boat world. The numbers are impressive.
A point many are missing, Tracker Boats didn't buy Ranger, Stratos and Triton, Nitro didn't buy them...Bass Pro did. HUGE difference.
Numbers impressive...Yes! Tracker is pushing about 50 boats A DAY out of the factory here in Lebanon...and started working on 2016 models a month ago. |
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Location: Detroit River | kap - 12/12/2014 6:37 PM Kevin Van Dam might now fish out of a Ranger KVD stated a dew days ago on his FB page that he would NOT be going over to a Ranger as a result of the change in ownership.
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| Must say I have a 20yr old nitro and its a great boat, the new Nitros are light years nicer then my boat. I dont think quality will change at all for the higher end boats, prob improve if anything. |
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Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Once again, the Ranger facility remains in Arkansas, Ranger remains independently run, and not much will change for the time being. |
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| sworrall - 12/18/2014 7:55 PM
Once again, the Ranger facility remains in Arkansas, Ranger remains independently run, and not much will change for the time being.
If they reach margins bass pro expects, things might remain the same past the time being. |
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Location: Waukesha, WI, USA | IF these %s are even close to right this means thanks to its purchase of Ranger/Stratos/Triton, Johnny/Bass Pro Shops now owns about 70% of the bass boat market. Doubt there's been a majority like that since Forrest started the whole thing back in the day. Seriously...huge.
1) Ranger Percent market share 30%
2) Nitro, Percent market share < 25%
3) Skeeter Percent market share 17%
4) Triton Percent market share 8%
5) Phoenix Percent market share 6%
6) BassCat Percent market share 4%
7) Stratos Percent market share <4%
9) Legend Percent market share 2%
10) Blazer Percent market share <1%
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| competition is good for consumers.
this? |
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Location: minocqua, wi. | BPS owns Skeeter too? that one surprised me. also thought BassCat was still an independent ... |
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Location: Lebanon,Mo | jonnysled - 12/19/2014 8:39 AM
BPS owns Skeeter too? that one surprised me. also thought BassCat was still an independent ...
Skeeter?? Im confused on this....my paycheck comes from Skeeter DBA G3 Boats Yamaha Boat Company.. |
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Location: minocqua, wi. | missourimuskyhunter - 12/19/2014 9:26 AM
jonnysled - 12/19/2014 8:39 AM
BPS owns Skeeter too? that one surprised me. also thought BassCat was still an independent ...
Skeeter?? Im confused on this....my paycheck comes from Skeeter DBA G3 Boats Yamaha Boat Company..
i misread the post above assuming that was a BPS group, but it was the industry breakout. |
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Posts: 194
Location: Lincolnshire, IL | I see a few guys asking for an "updated" version of the 690/692 w/175.
Wouldn't that be the 1880 Angler? Granted the beam is wider but I am curious as to how it would fall short of the 690 in other features. It can be ordered with a single console if that is your style. While it doesn't have the rear side boxes in the back(which I think is great), the casting deck is larger and with all the after-market products available, it would certainly be easy to customize the back to your fishing style. Hulls differ a bit but having been on Green Bay in the older Rangers and the 1860/1880 the difference is negligible IMHO. I suppose giving the slight edge to 690 in the real rough stuff because of the narrower beam. $40K price point? Maybe?
As far as the new ownership? It is a simple wait and see, but then I am not that brand loyal. Had a Tuffy, Triton and 2 Rangers given the right deal/future need who knows what is next.
Edited by Wisconsin Wade 12/19/2014 11:04 AM
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Location: Minnesota: where it's tough to be a sportsfan! | Earl Benz had a strong influence on Stratos after he left Triton to the good hands people. BPS should be able to take A boat line beyond where we are now to the next level. No center consoles or drastic designs that basically do not add performance. Step up hulls in the 25' range for freshwater crafts perhaps. Front decks with seating options so you have the space available to use, etc... I see it as a good deal all the way around. Dealer networks are dealer networks, just so the new Superman of Boat companies doesn't decide to make their dealerships become Stealerships. |
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Location: minocqua, wi. | Center Consoles add performance for the applications they are designed for and for some they aren't ... and Ranger has a full line-up of them that are fantastic boats. |
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Location: deephaven mn | $70 grand ......just to much
i asked a high volume ranger dealer if i could get a 618 T hull made into a consule
he called and the answer was no
skeeter came out with that model 5 years later the MX1825
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Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | M Winther - 12/19/2014 7:49 AM
competition is good for consumers.
this?
What makes you think these brands will not compete? |
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| sworrall - 12/19/2014 11:48 PM M Winther - 12/19/2014 7:49 AM competition is good for consumers. this? What makes you think these brands will not compete? When one company owns 70% of a market segment, competition is reduced. The Feds just disallowed a purchase that would have created a similar ownership percentage in the beer industry for competitive reasons. This isn't boating or even fishing boats, just bass boats so it's not a whole industry; that said, it's worth wondering about possible impacts on consumers (such as higher prices), and not just how wonderful it is for BPS. |
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Posts: 32789
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Higher prices on a Ranger? Doubt it. |
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| Higher prices on a Ranger? Doubt it. Don't know what will or won't happen, just saying it's worth considering various angles on something like this, including the impact on consumers. There may be cost-savings related to shared production and marketing costs. At the same time, more competition leads to innovation and cost advantages for consumers, that's basic economics. So it's not off the wall to raise an inquisitive eyebrow and look at both sides when moves like this occur.
Ranger may be the exception, since it doesn't really have an apples-to-apples competing brand within the new group (besides maybe Triton), and it does have legitimate competitors from outside the new BPS family in both the bass and deep-v boat markets. Of course, it will be very interesting to see the impact when Nitros and Rangers are on the same showroom floor at BPS retail dealerships (and those Nitros are dang nice boats at a good price). KVD says he's sticking with Nitro, but like everything else with this move the promises of "staying the same" are all followed by the caveat, "for now."
Looking instead at the entry- and mid-level bass boat market, that's an awful big share all under one ownership group now. For example, Stratos offers small bass boats specifically designed, marketed, and priced to compete with Tracker's dominance of that entry segment. What happens here? Will this change lead to more features, options, incentives and discounts, or less? Or, will prices go even lower and pull buyers away from independent regional brands?
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Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | KVD isn't 'staying with Nitro' on the level most folks would perceive the statement. It's far more complicated than a simple sponsorship. IF the sale goes through, I don't see Ranger Boats in some dealerships they are sold in now, and do not see them in many dealerships where Tracker is sold, either.
Stratos may remain as is for the foreseeable future, holding the market share they do isn't a bad thing with the independent dealerships they have in place.
And, BPS has announced the brands will remain independent anyway. |
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Location: 31 | sworrall - 12/21/2014 2:56 PM Higher prices on a Ranger? Doubt it. Haha, good one!
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Posts: 4080
Location: Elko - Lake Vermilion | Higher/Highest prices in this Market will Always be a Ranger Thing..... Prices will always go higher with them.
Market Demand and Non Union Labor will no doubt push Ranger's prices UP^
Personally, I think BPS is a good fit for Ranger. Only time will tell...... Don't expect them to drop their Pricing though.
Jerome |
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Location: minocqua, wi. | please tell me how non-union labor is a guarantee for pushing pricing UP? LOL ... wake up from your brainwashing, Holy Crappola talk about an unfounded statement. |
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Posts: 4080
Location: Elko - Lake Vermilion | As a union contractor, who works in the South (Right to work States) a few times a year, I will tell you that our Profit margins are usually higher than most of our jobs in Union States. Fact.
Ranger is in the best possible area of the country to maximize their Profits. their Prices aren't going to fall anytime soon unless they cut out some Product Quality, which is very unlikely..... after all, they are Ranger.
Sorry if this wasn't conveyed better MR. Sled. |
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Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | as a M&A and P&L manager of multiple business in manufacturing with experience with both union and non-union shops, i can tell you with confidence that you sound like a union contractor. |
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Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | ask Mercury Marine about their experience with manufacturing costs of union shop in fond du lac, wi. vs. oklahoma city, ok. ... and how and what was done to keep them home vs. heading "south" to a non-union environment. that one was a classic and really enjoyed seeing it play out ... |
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Posts: 1901
Location: MN | Agreed. No way union labor builds them cheaper or more efficiently |
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| Just got my Cabelas 15 brochure and they are selling Rangers.... |
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Posts: 206
| Cabelas is selling Stratos and Ranger for now... that will change at some point.
Maybe Cabelas should now pick up Tuffy at their stores nationwide ~ |
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Location: Altoona IA | Why would that necessarily change? If you owned a company, wouldnt you want your product to be in as many quality outlets as possible? If you owned a retail company, wouldnt you want to sell a desirable product that appeals to your core customer? Are Sony TV's sold in only one store? |
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Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Bass Pro Shops and Cabelas are fierce competitors. |
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Posts: 750
Location: Minneapolis, MN | 71mercman - 1/28/2015 6:25 AM
Why would that necessarily change? If you owned a company, wouldnt you want your product to be in as many quality outlets as possible? If you owned a retail company, wouldnt you want to sell a desirable product that appeals to your core customer? Are Sony TV's sold in only one store?
Exclusivity. Retailers try and gain the advantage over their competition in a lot of ways, exclusivity being one of them. If you have a product that people want, and you are the only place to get said product, it's going to mean more money for you. Most retailers pay for exclusivity, but in this case, you have a retailer that now owns the product. So if Cabela's can no longer sell Rangers, then it means everyone who wanted to buy one now has to go to Bass Pro instead of Cabela's.
Edited by dami0101 1/28/2015 10:10 AM
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Location: Hayward, WI | With Basspro's other boat lines, they have always used Bass Pro gift cards and VIP cards (up to 20% of in-store purchases at BPS) as incentives to buy. They look for ways to keep customers to continue buying from them. I would think they would like to do something similar with their new boat lines too. |
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Location: oswego, il | Sony is a builder with online retail only. Not a true comparison. Nothing changes immediately. the company I work for is going through an acquisition and it is a 5 year plan.
Edited by ToddM 1/28/2015 12:27 PM
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Bass Pro Buys Ranger Boats