Clennell on fri 17 apr 98
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>Hi everyone. I heard at NCECA that Shimpo had purchased ConeArt, the
>Canadian kiln company. And the latest issue of Contact had a big
>Shimpo ad announcing the fact.
>
>I got to wondering what the implications were as far as the kilns
>themselves were concerned. I mean, sometimes it is good when a
>little company gets swallowed (more capital, better distribution
Dear Jan: For a change on Clayart I will atttempt to watch what I say very
carefully because I know and love our ole Frankie T, he lurks and I owe
him money.
We his friends and long time customers both mourned and celebrated the
takeover of Coneart by Shimpo. Frank built his business by listening to and
caring most of all about potters. He has worked hard at his business,
produces good products and gives good service. I have stayed up to greet
the morning sun more than once talking pots with FT. Frank is a man of
integrity and I am most certain he will not sell out for the bottom line.
A glass or two of Grande Maurnier but never the bottom line.
As for the marriage between Shimpo and Frank the question is "for better
or liverwurst?" I have never really thought much of the products of Ms.
Shimpo but I have always thought highly of our man Frank. Ms. Shimpo may be
getting smarter in her old age. She is dumping the Toys-R-Us veg-o-matic
pugmill and copied the Venco and given it a sexy paint job. Good product
/good move. Dated and married our Frank and bought the Coneart kiln farm.
Good product/good move.
Ms. Shimpo dated some of the worst engineers ever to attend engineering
school. The latest handles on their wheels were probably her last date with
those engineers.. I thought those brass rings were so you could hang the
wheel from the ceiling or hook a winch on them to pull the wheel out of the
ditch. They are handles!!!!! That might have been the last straw for Ms.
Shimpo. She thought stop messing with the cute dumb engineers and land a
good ole Canuck. Frank loves his business and to talk about the business
of pots. He can also talk most people under the table. The foreplay will be
showing off his clay mixer and the pillow talk on the honeymoon will be
splash pans, wheel heads, potters and potters needs.
Hey Frank "It's in the mail, honest!"
Cheers,
Tony
The bumper sticker on the beat up ole Coneart van reads "Don't laugh, your
daughter might be in the back."
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