***OFFICIAL*** Bauer purchasing Mission-Itech

[DarkStar50 679]

And what if a year from now, had Bauer not bought MI today, MI went bankrupt, out-of-business, gone? The MI infrastructure of design teams and the rest of the staff would be destroyed and broken up to go their separate ways. Instead, we have what happened today. I am not calling the new people at Bauer the knights in shining armor, by any means, but looking at this industry as it is now, who else could have done what Bauer did today to purchase MI and keep those key components of MI intact? Think long-term, 12 months, 18 months, 2 years down the road. That is what these people do. The short term? That ended a minute ago.

[troy 12]

I haven't looked or thought much into this situation, but it will absolutely be interesting to see what changes in the market will occur with fewer companies.

[SouthPaw 0]

I am a huge Mission RH fan. I am not thrilled about the news of the merger, but I think the fact that they will keep the Mission Inline line (for now) is the best result I could have hoped for. My major concerns would be:

- will Mission be able to keep it's own R&D dept.? Because Bauer's current (and every past) inline line are proof that slapping wheels on Ice stuff produces s**t.

- the second part of this (assuming the above occurs) is how much leash will they be given? What would be the point of a seperate identity if they have no creative control?

- what will Bauer do/ what will the budget be for supporting and growing Inline as a seperate identity? It has it's own culture that draws people in it's own right. This would include (previously mentioned) sponsorships and tournament and elite league involvement.

I think that Bauer would be foolish not to take the above seriously. It's my opinion that if they don't and they stifle or underfund the inline population, it is ripe for another company (perhaps Tour?) or another startup to take the old Missions place. Inline may be small, but I personally believe that it will grow in the long run, for even the environmental/economic reasons if nothing else.

From a more emotional point of view, I'm very sorry for all those people and families that are effected. I myself am in an industry that experiences this all too often (the airline industry) and I can say it very.....very....very rarely turns out well for anyone involved (buying companies especially.)

[hamstercaster 2]

This is all very interesting and I can't wait to read the rest of the Q&A. I'm also very interested to see what's happening with Eagle as I recently bought goal pads and gloves and have already experienced Eagle's great customer service. If it is indeed true that Vaughn bought Eagle, I hope that they will offer the same customer service.. but I digress. Interesting times...

[sdcopp 1]

I think a big point people are missing here is this is Bauer, not Nike-Bauer. This is not the "Evil Empire" looking to buy out a competitor and strip them bare, this is a company looking to bolster their position with additional offerings they haven't done well with themselves.

On the other side of the coin, the soon to be former owners of MIH probably saw this as a great opportunity to cash in during very uncertain economic times and take care of their families, and for anyone who will spout off about greed these guys started at ground level and grew the company into what it is. Their hard work has come to fruition for them.

This is a great convergence for both companies, the only tragedy is the displaced employees. That's business though, a lousy part, but it is what it is. There are some technologies I would love to see carried over. Maybe a Vapor TI stick with the VDS technology in the blade? I too would like to see some of the skate concepts Mission has go forward, but three lines might not be worth it for them and screwing with Supreme and Vapor lines to derail where those are heading would make it worse.

On the inline side of things it gets really exciting if the guys who have been doing the design and R&D get to reign in on Bauer policy. I'd personally love to see a custom skate program similar to what is offered on the ice side of Bauer today. Maybe it's wishful thinking, but this acquisition could make it happen.

[CapsFan 5]

No, what would be depressing is me at 42 answering questions about the M-SyNvecresapor to the XN10th power...b/c by then all the companies will have merged...

Remember saying this, JR? It may be true faster than you thought! :lol: (hopefully without the depressing part)

[VakarLajos 5]

Is this any different than the Bauer (CANSTAR) from the 80s everybody is so nostalgic about, you know the one that bought up about 5 or 6 different companies and eventually rebranded it all Bauer or Cooper?

[Rags81 0]

biggest bummer for me is the loss of missions sticks. the skates were alright but they haven't done anything noteworthy since the s series. same with gloves, nothing great since the m and L series'. I agree with a comment Chadd made earlier, mission used to be an innovator, but now they just seem to be following the trends, with the exception of their sticks (hopefully bauer will make use of the titanium technology, the 60 day warranty is great). I'm just hoping that Bauer is using this aquisition to make use of new technology and infuse ideas, rather than just taking out another competitor

Their sticks were great.

The Fuel Ti was the best out there at the price, IMO.

Their skates are also great. They were distinct. The lower lacing height on the AG and AGX was a great idea, and the heel locks in place better then any Bauer skate i've tried (Vapors, Supremes, older supremes). And the ankle pockets are not painful like the Vapors and Supremes. The only skate Bauer currently makes that has a comfortable ankle pocket is the One55.

Maybe Bauer will implement some of those features on their skates in the future.

And i think discontinuing the sticks is a bad idea. If they were re branded with Bauer logos everyone would go crazy about them.

I think that is the biased here. If Bauer's logos were on the AGX people would like them. If Bauers logos were on the Ti sticks, people would like them.

I think people would rather buy because of brand, rather then because of quality.

[VakarLajos 5]

Their skates are also great. They were distinct. The lower lacing height on the AG and AGX was a great idea, and the heel locks in place better then any Bauer skate i've tried (Vapors, Supremes, older supremes). And the ankle pockets are not painful like the Vapors and Supremes. The only skate Bauer currently makes that has a comfortable ankle pocket is the One55.

.

That's a loss for you, no doubt, but what you're saying has more to do with the shape of your foot not being as well suited for Bauer skates. This has nothing to do with the quality of the product which is what it sounds like. I've never had pain in the ankle pockets of my XXXs.

The sticks may have been the greatest in the world, but the bottom line is they didn't sell. NBH sticks do. A lot of people are in love with the One90s and XXXX sticks. They're very good sticks. It's not like you're talking about a company making crap.

Bauer might use a lot of the Mission technologies in subsequent Bauer models though. Who knows? Doesn't even seem like Bauer knows at this point.

[kovalchuk71 212]

I think a big point people are missing here is this is Bauer, not Nike-Bauer. This is not the "Evil Empire" looking to buy out a competitor and strip them bare, this is a company looking to bolster their position with additional offerings they haven't done well with themselves.

On the other side of the coin, the soon to be former owners of MIH probably saw this as a great opportunity to cash in during very uncertain economic times and take care of their families, and for anyone who will spout off about greed these guys started at ground level and grew the company into what it is. Their hard work has come to fruition for them.

This is a great convergence for both companies, the only tragedy is the displaced employees. That's business though, a lousy part, but it is what it is. There are some technologies I would love to see carried over. Maybe a Vapor TI stick with the VDS technology in the blade? I too would like to see some of the skate concepts Mission has go forward, but three lines might not be worth it for them and screwing with Supreme and Vapor lines to derail where those are heading would make it worse.

On the inline side of things it gets really exciting if the guys who have been doing the design and R&D get to reign in on Bauer policy. I'd personally love to see a custom skate program similar to what is offered on the ice side of Bauer today. Maybe it's wishful thinking, but this acquisition could make it happen.

Well said Sdcopp. You make a bunch of great points.

[Jarick 5]

Or think of it this way: the Fuel TI stick becomes the Vapor 50 or whatever. Good technology gets produced in a cost-effective manner and distributed/promoted/marketed in a way that they are more available. There's no reason for Bauer to kill off good technology that they now own.

[theWB 2]

Their sticks were great.

I think that is the biased here. If Bauer's logos were on the AGX people would like them. If Bauers logos were on the Ti sticks, people would like them.

I think people would rather buy because of brand, rather then because of quality.

Bauer has built up their brand through years of quality products. You can't build up a brand without quality product in this industry and Bauer has worked hard year in and year out to earn their customers loyalty. Mission was slowly getting there in their ice hockey offerings but there just isn't any demand for the product. I agree with you, reputation means alot, maybe too much in some cases, but you can't say Bauer hasn't earned theirs.

I feel for you that some of your favorite equipment won't be available but look on the bright side, it will be on closeout soon.

[WhiskeyTango19 0]

Rags- Seriously let it go. We get it. You love AGX skates and the Ti sticks. There are 17 pages on this thread already. Can you PLEASE focus on something else? You sound like a spoied brat who won't get the toy he wants anymore.

A lot of people are going to be effected by the merger/buyout. Whining about what YOU want several times makes you seem very very selfish.

I'm sure there are goalies who LOVE Bauer equipment and won't be able to get it anymore. They aren't posting 6 or 7 times about it.

Like Chadd said, stock up and sack up.

[TBLfan 25]

Is this any different than the Bauer (CANSTAR) from the 80s everybody is so nostalgic about, you know the one that bought up about 5 or 6 different companies and eventually rebranded it all Bauer or Cooper?

People have short memories. This is big news now but in 4 years, no one will care who owns MIH.

[Rags81 0]

Their sticks were great.

I think that is the biased here. If Bauer's logos were on the AGX people would like them. If Bauers logos were on the Ti sticks, people would like them.

I think people would rather buy because of brand, rather then because of quality.

Bauer has built up their brand through years of quality products. You can't build up a brand without quality product in this industry and Bauer has worked hard year in and year out to earn their customers loyalty. Mission was slowly getting there in their ice hockey offerings but there just isn't any demand for the product. I agree with you, reputation means alot, maybe too much in some cases, but you can't say Bauer hasn't earned theirs.

I feel for you that some of your favorite equipment won't be available but look on the bright side, it will be on closeout soon.

Of course Bauer has quality equipment.

I use their line of protective, save the helmet, i use an Intake.

And, i LOVE Bauer's protective.

The thing is i don't fit anyone elses skates properly. For what ever reason. Except Bauer's One55 (Supreme 50).

And their sticks i really dislike. For what ever reason they refuse to make anything below their $200 sticks WITHOUT stick'um.. why??? lol

Yes, you have a point, and, i will over the span of the next year collect the Fuel Ti sticks and get a couple extra pairs of the AGX skates. And my problem will be solved.

[Jarick 5]

Doubt it; although, if the Fuel Ti is dressed in Easton or Warrior graphics, is it the best selling stick in OPS history? Guess you could say that about any product, or, if your aunt had balls, she'd be your uncle. It's all the same...

Bauer is exclusive at their OPS OEM in China and they've done pretty damn well these past few years in the OPS market, bringing it to a strong #2/3 worldwide. I'm sure they'll keep using the "bunny."

More of what I meant is that the best technology isn't necessarily the strongest seller. If that was true, TPS would have been king. Bauer now has the opportunity to use the Mission stick technology in their products. I have no idea if the Ti is superior or not (haven't used it). But there's no doubt Bauer has more market presence and endorsers, and that's more of what drives sales than the performance. I'm assuming of course, let me know if I'm far off base.

It's a ray of hope for the Mission fans at least.

[JR Boucicaut 3797]

OMG...I just realized that the Flyweight shaft will NEVER, EVER come back!

Really though, there's some decent insight being tossed in this thread, and there's also quite a bit of drivel.

Seriously, if you guys have some questions, toss them my way.

[hockey1933 0]

JR - OK some serious questions;

any word if the Control SI shaft will come back?

Also, I was wondering if you had any insight on the following items...

Red Flex Fit Vent Hat

Blades with the off-set hosel

Off-set butt end... the name escapes me...

[JR Boucicaut 3797]

POWER PLUG!!!

[theWB 2]

JR,

I'd be really interested to hear what is going to happen with helmets. It seems to me thats where mission made their strongest retail showing but Bauer seems to have a lock at every pricepoint. Does mission really bring anything to the table that Bauer doesn't already utilize? Let us know.

Thanks

[JR Boucicaut 3797]

I think the equipment questions have pretty much been answered in the first Q&A. It's too early to tell.

[hockey1933 0]

POWER PLUG!!!

Oh yes, thank you...

I can see it now, the Bauer Vapor XXXX Power Plug, powered by Mission Hockey...

It will be huge...

However, Justin's favorite and proudest moment without question...

His kids, no

His wife, no

His numerous successful skate, pant, glove, or goalie lines, no

It was his Red Vent Flex Fit hat...

[the_game 452]

POWER PLUG!!!

Oh yes, thank you...

I can see it now, the Bauer Vapor XXXX Power Plug, powered by Mission Hockey...

It will be huge...

However, Justin's favorite and proudest moment without question...

His kids, no

His wife, no

His numerous successful skate, pant, glove, or goalie lines, no

It was his Red Vent Flex Fit hat...

I owned and wore that hat proudly. Thanks Justin.

[hockey1933 0]

POWER PLUG!!!

Oh yes, thank you...

I can see it now, the Bauer Vapor XXXX Power Plug, powered by Mission Hockey...

It will be huge...

However, Justin's favorite and proudest moment without question...

His kids, no

His wife, no

His numerous successful skate, pant, glove, or goalie lines, no

It was his Red Vent Flex Fit hat...

I owned and wore that hat proudly. Thanks Justin.

As did I... and if you want a new one... let me know.

[JR Boucicaut 3797]

Ah, I'll take one, it will go well with my Hespeler hat in my defunct hockey company hat collection :(