A lot smaller than I thought they’d be at $15 million in sales. Hopefully it doesn’t mean higher prices and worse customer service. No notes on retention agreements for Mark and co.
> Weber Genesis EP-330
> Grilla Grills Original Grilla (OG) pellet smoker with Alpha/Connect
> Grilla Grills Pellet Pizza Oven
> Pit Barrel Cooker (gone to a new home)
> WeberQ 2000 (on "loan" to a relative (I'll never see it again))
> Old Smokey Electric (for chickens mostly - when it's too nasty out
to fiddle with a more capable cooker)
> Luhr Jensen Little Chief Electric - Top Loader circa 1990 (smoked fish & jerky)
> Thermoworks Smoke
> 3 Thermoworks Chef Alarms
> Thermoworks Thermapen One
> Thermoworks Thermapen Classic
> Thermoworks Thermopop
> Thermoworks Square DOT
> Thermoworks IR-GUN-S
> Joule Turbo Sous Vide Circulator
> Searzall torch
> BBQ Guru Rib Ring
> WÜSTHOF, Dalstrong, and Buck knives
> Paprika App on Mac and iOS
Scotch: Current favorite- The Arran (anything by them), Glenmorangie 12yr Lasanta, sherry cask finished. The Balvenie Double Wood, also like Oban 18yr, and The Glenlivet Nadurra (Oloroso sherry cask finished) among others. Neat please.
About meReal name: Aaron
Location: Farwell, Michigan - near Clare (dead center of lower peninsula).
Occupation:
Healthcare- Licensed & Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) at MyMichigan Health, a University of Michigan Health System.
If not cooking outdoors, I am cooking on the stovetop with my 14" carbon steel wok, 12" CI skillet, or in the oven with my two Lodge CI pizza pans, or two dutch ovens. I've also got a nifty Lodge carbon steel grill pan that rocks for veggies outdoors.
Ugh. I honestly hate to see the good, small companies sell out. I can understand it being a pay day for the owners, but things usually don't continue on without major changes, in my experience. Every small company I've worked for that sold out ended up with the doors closed, and any products and personnel they wanted to keep transitioned to other facilities.
Been there, got that tee shirt numerous times....oh yes you have a bright future here.....
Then your new boss, who wrote four chapter in The Book of Being the Penultimate Dick,
grinds you.
I learned to give your two weeks the day you learn its happening or just walk, save yourself a lot of grief.
At least it wasn't some investment shell company that's buying them. From the looks there's at least some hope that AOB will care about the product and not just the bottom line...
Just spoke with Grilla. As you can imagine, they're busy and excited. They spoke with some venture capitalists previously, but didn't want to go that route. They feel American Outdoor makes sense and Grills will fit right in.
Last edited by Max Good; March 16, 2022, 08:46 AM.
American Outdoor Brands will leave Grilla alone for the honeymoon, probably a full fiscal quarter. Then the accountants will swarm the manufacturing department with 'cost-cutting' plans, thus making the products with cheaper components. Next, the accountants will tell the marketing department how to do the marketing, e.g. Big box stores. The brand will then slide down to being just another brand of grills at Walmart, Lowes, and Home Depot.
The former owners got the $$$, the employees still have jobs, and the conglomerate has another source of cash flow.
They consider that a win for all.....except the consumer.
The manufacturing is all in China already, so about the only cost cutting move then can make is to change the designs or use cheaper materials. Only engineering and marketing and support were here in the US anyway.
It is hard to not be cynical about these things as we've all experienced declines with companies when these acquisitions happen.
For me, part of the appeal of Grilla was the small-company vibe (even though Grilla was actually a subsidiary of a much larger automotive manufacturing company) and being able to work with the owners directly and, of course, the exceptional customer service. Losing that or having it curtailed is probably what I am "worried" about the most.
Outside tools:
22" Weber kettle (2x)
Santa Maria grill attachment
2-burner Camp Chef Explorer propane stove
Temperature tools:
ThermaWorks Smoke
ThermaWorks ThermaPen Mk4
Inside tools:
36" Viking gas range
Anova sous vide
Lodge cast iron skillets, griddle, dutch ovens - several
Stupid expensive but very beautiful cast iron gifts for my wife - 4x
Other tools & accessories:
Buck Chef knife and serrated knife
Victorianox Fibrox Pro Chef knife - 3x
Cave Tools Metal Meat Claws
​​​​​​Meathead's book: The Science of Great Barbecue and Grilling
Agree - hard not to be cynical. But, I tend to agree with jfmorris on this one. They've got a stable of brands that I'm familiar with and own several. As this group can attest - grilling and smoking are pretty passionate sports and getting in on a piece of that action is a good investment move. If AOUT is smart, they keep the passion and the service while backing it with leveraged marketing dollars and a bigger platform.
A good friend recently sold out a business that he's been building for 10 years. It's a similar story - he gets a chunk of cash in exchange the business he built for some long term security, his employees keep their jobs and now have bigger financial muscle behind them, and he stays on to manage and grow the business as part of a larger investment portfolio with the bigger company. To be fair to the small guys that build a business from scratch - it's pretty tough to turn down the security of life changing money for your future, while still retaining an interest in the business you've built. It should be a win. We'll see how it plays out - there's always growing pains. He's experiencing them now, and Grilla will definitely have some bumps.
Having said that, AOUT stock is at a 12mo low but it made a bump up today with the announcement of completing the Grilla acquisition. The principals of the company are buying their own stock. We (you folks on this board) love Grilla, and I know plenty of folks that like their other products. It seems like it could be a good move. Maybe I'll jump in and buy some shares... 😁😁
I share the sentiments of others here. As an owner of a OG (using it as I type) who was very impressed with their customer service as well as their overall principles and vibe, I am saddened by this news
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