Weber x Blackstone

[SheilaAnn]

Did y’all see this?

https://blackstoneproducts.com/pages/weber-blackstone

[Draznnl]

I had heard about that. The press release says, "The company will maintain a presence in both Illinois and Utah." But it doesn't mention where headquarters will be or which state will be losing front office jobs.

[HouseHomey]

Seems like a basic press release.

[captainlee]

I have read that Ace hardware will become the exclusive distributor for Weber Blackstone starting in 2026. The times they are a changing.

[jfmorris]

That would kill a lot of sales at the big box stores like Lowe's and Home Depot. I got my last Weber grill at Home Depot.

[captainlee]

Interesting they are eliminating the box stores, that's a lot of volume. Maybe margins too low, who knows.

[Draznnl]

From what I read elsewhere, that release only spoke of smaller stores. It did not mention how or if the deal with Ace would effect big box stores.

[jfmorris]

I will hazard a guess that complementary product lines will lead to elimination of the nice new Weber line of griddles. It would make no sense to have competing griddle lines. Just my prediction.

Think this impacts honoring warranty on existing Weber products, since Weber-Blackstone will be a new company?

I did also read this, which could point to Blackstone being the new leadership and headquarters:

• Leadership: Roger Dahle, Blackstone's founder, is the CEO of the combined company.

[captainlee]

Maybe price points, an upper end griddle and an economy line????

[LA Pork Butt]

I am trying to remember, but I believe Weber went public a few years ago, and some thought the quality went down. Having done a little investing in stocks I have see companies make acquisitions only to spin the acquisition out again. I hope the desire for growing quarterly profits doesn’t drive down quality.

[yakima]

There is a thread here on this. Early December 2024. Blackstone CEO, Dahle, is running things.
@SheilaAnn's link above ultimately takes you to Blackstone.