Here's some history about Richardsons:
In 1991, the Company settled an antitrust suit with the U.S.
Department of
Justice related to its participation in the electron tube
manufacturing
industry. As a consequence, certain of its manufacturing
activities became
uneconomic and were divested or discontinued, including the
sale of the
Company's former Brive, France manufacturing operation to
local management.
Formal transfer of ownership occurred in January 1995. Under
an evergreen
agreement, the Company and Covimag negotiate a purchase
commitment on an
annual basis. Covimag is managed by the same individuals
previously employed
by the Company at this facility. Covimag is highly dependent
on Richardson,
which is its primary customer. Settlement of purchases under
the contract is
at standard terms. Except for the supply contract,
Richardson has no other
financial commitment to or from Covimag. Relationships under
the supply
contract are believed by the Company to be satisfactory.
You can see they got bit by the Justice Department **after**
they ruined the tube market. This is where Cetron went, and
why 572B's went through the roof on price. Richardsons
bought Cetron and owned Amperex and the tube manufacturing
in France.
They also bought all the distribution outlets in competetion
with them, making them a sole source.
http://www.secinfo.com/darJ3.5f89d.htm
Like the USA televison and VCR manufacturing industry, our
own government as typical did far too little far too late.
The US Justice Department made them "sell" their
manufacturing (to employees loyal to Richardsons) but
stupidly allowed a distributorship contract. Eimac even
foolishly signed a deal with Richardsons making Richardsons
the sole distributor of their products.
IMO it is still illegal.
73 Tom
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