Segway Merges with JWH Holdings (Segway UK) - Page 2

gbrandwood · 01-13-2010, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nickyboy

I assume JWH is Jimmy Heselden, the founder and owner of Hesco Bastion. Jimmy has been a backer of Wayne Mitchell of Segway UK for a couple of years.

I thought you weren't revealing his identity!

Looking forward to an official announcement. How long will it be before it makes the news?

I'm certain the timing is related, as Bob suggested, to the UK consultation taking place. These things don't happen overnight so the move has probably been in the pipeline for a while.

Where does Dean Kamen sit in all of this? Does he still retain any ownership? Anyone know?

wwhopper · 01-13-2010, 12:01 PM

If you look at Jimmy's bio, he is a mining guy. Mining folks don't want stand up Segways, what they want is robotic platforms that can do the work that humans can't.

So my take is he bought Inc. for the techonology, specifically the RMP side of the house. Which we as Segway users took very little notice of. Though a few of our friendly dealers were actively working with RMP customers.

My take is RMP is the product, as well as the technology where the new company will focus its energy, and the PT will take a back seat, and it will not be long before it is discontinued.

Stuff like the Puma will go over to GM and they have no interest in a stand up single user PT.

cadavev · 01-13-2010, 12:26 PM

wow what a shame if the segway goes away...that would be a sad day....

nickyboy · 01-13-2010, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wwhopper

If you look at Jimmy's bio, he is a mining guy. Mining folks don't want stand up Segways, what they want is robotic platforms that can do the work that humans can't.

So my take is he bought Inc. for the techonology, specifically the RMP side of the house. Which we as Segway users took very little notice of. Though a few of our friendly dealers were actively working with RMP customers.

My take is RMP is the product, as well as the technology where the new company will focus its energy, and the PT will take a back seat, and it will not be long before it is discontinued.

Stuff like the Puma will go over to GM and they have no interest in a stand up single user PT.

I thought the same myself, although Jimmy's core business is defence, not mining, the robotic platforms are probably of great interest, but remember he is a user of Segways at his factory. Last I heard he had about 10, and that was before he invested in Segway UK! I first met Jimmy about two years ago (2008) and he was very much into the Segway at that time. Also, I do not believe that Wayne will want to see the Segway PT dissapear if it is commercialy viable at all.
My guess is it will probably be a few months before we see any serious changes, if any. It will take a while to "see what they have got" and make any changes they consider necessary.

CovRob · 01-13-2010, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wwhopper

If you look at Jimmy's bio, he is a mining guy. Mining folks don't want stand up Segways...

My take is RMP is the product, as well as the technology where the new company will focus its energy, and the PT will take a back seat, and it will not be long before it is discontinued.

I'm not so sure. He is an ex-miner who was made redundant in the 1980's, that's true. He is also a (mulitple) Segway owner, enjoys them and has been very solidly supporting the push in the UK to get them legalised for public use. If he was only interested in other aspects of INC's inventory I doubt he would have thrown the money he has at continually badgering the DfT, with threats of court action, barrister's time, etc. to achieve recognition here.

wwhopper · 01-13-2010, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CovRob

I'm not so sure. He is an ex-miner who was made redundant in the 1980's, that's true. He is also a (mulitple) Segway owner, enjoys them and has been very solidly supporting the push in the UK to get them legalised for public use. If he was only interested in other aspects of INC's inventory I doubt he would have thrown the money he has at continually badgering the DfT, with threats of court action, barrister's time, etc. to achieve recognition here.

This kind of guy does not throw money away on something that will not return something to him. I am sure he is a Segway enthusiast, it is hard not to be one, we all know that. But as a sucessful businessman he is looking to make his purchase profitable. Selling Segways to consumers is not going to do that, that has been proven already.

As Nick stated his defense contracts are an important part of the equation. They would benefit from the RMP, as that is the prime market at the moment for the RMP.

Inc. recently said they are focusing on their core PT market, which is commercial security and police use of the PT. I think we will see the consumer or leisure market become less of a focus to the company. The consumer is the one who wants to see the price drop. While the other markets will endure a higher price better.

In the short run (1st quarter) as PT's, and the key parts to them are in short supply, it should be interesting to see what happens and how the existing dealers react.

KSagal · 01-13-2010, 03:47 PM

I love my segway, and I like the people I know at the company, but I still think the technology is sound, on its own...

Sure, there will be changes, but the concept has legs, so to speak. At this point, with the economy as it is, and with the less than stirling (Spelling is purposeful) Sales record to consumers, it very well not be the time to make a successful company from this product…

That does not mean that the product is faulty, or that it will not survive…

I have said for a long time, when I consider the SUV my wife drives, and my 6 year old daughter…

By the time my daughter is my age of 50, what do we think she will more likely use to do light errands around the neighborhood? A device like my wife’s SUV, or a device like my segway?

When Galileo used his telescope to prove his points about the earth orbiting around the sun, instead of the other way around, he was not met with overwhelming acceptance… He was many many years ahead of his time… It did not make him wrong, just in the wrong time. As far as I know, eventually, common knowledge caught up with his ideas, and the facts are the facts, and the earth orbits the sun, not the other way around…

The segway is a viable concept. It will survive, I believe… What form I cannot say for sure. But it is not really going anywhere…

gbrandwood · 01-13-2010, 03:57 PM

Hearing Will say the Segway PT will take a back seat made me smile (any pun intended?) but then discontinued - it made my heart skip (okay, not really, but you know what I mean).

I'm not so sure on the huge potential of RMP sales as the primary basis for the business. Out of all sales, I would guess RMP has racked up the least, the commercial sector the most and the consumer sector somewhere in the middle.

In terms of Segway UK's desire to see the product made legal here, how would this support the idea of RMP being the driver - when most applications of RMP will not be out on the pavement or on a public highway?

So my guess on this is that the prices will fall in the UK. Segways will become legal as EPVs on the road and cycle lanes in 2010, and sales will increase across the board (in the UK). I'm not so sure at this point why things in other countries would change at all - but time will tell.

Looking forward to seeing this all pan out.

Civicsman · 01-13-2010, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Inc. recently said they are focusing on their core PT market, which is commercial security and police use of the PT. I think we will see the consumer or leisure market become less of a focus to the company. The consumer is the one who wants to see the price drop. While the other markets will endure a higher price better.

In the short run (1st quarter) as PT's, and the key parts to them are in short supply, it should be interesting to see what happens and how the existing dealers react.

Humorous! You think the consumer/leisure market "will" become less of a focus? In fact, INC marketing has focused almost entirely on commercial/police applications for years now.

However, you are mistaken in thinking that only consumer/leisure markets want better pricing. Commercial and police markets perform cost analyses and compare Segs to other forms of transport.

I think you naysayers are far too negative about the situation. Somebody bought Segway, Inc. This means the company was willing to be purchased. Generally, company management does not give up it's seat unless there is a good reason. Consequently, I conclude that being purchased is a good thing, and better than the alternative.

What makes you think PT's and parts are in short supply?

Gihgehls · 01-13-2010, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarthSegVator

The Segway batteries are "purpose-built" soley for the Segway. At least I haven't seen any other applications using the Segway battery technology.

There isn't any special "segway battery technology" that I'm aware of. Valance makes their Safion batteries which are not prone to thermal runaway (exploding), but they are hardly the only game in town when it comes to safe lithium-based batteries. In fact, A123 seems to be the name I hear everwhere when I hear about safe lithium ion batteries for transportation applications.

01-13-2010, 12:01 PM	#12
wwhopper Advanced Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Washington, DC, USA. Posts: 4,894	Maybe it is not the Segway Product that they were going after If you look at Jimmy's bio, he is a mining guy. Mining folks don't want stand up Segways, what they want is robotic platforms that can do the work that humans can't. So my take is he bought Inc. for the techonology, specifically the RMP side of the house. Which we as Segway users took very little notice of. Though a few of our friendly dealers were actively working with RMP customers. My take is RMP is the product, as well as the technology where the new company will focus its energy, and the PT will take a back seat, and it will not be long before it is discontinued. Stuff like the Puma will go over to GM and they have no interest in a stand up single user PT. __________________ Will W Hopper DCSEG Washington, DC, U.S.A.

01-13-2010, 12:26 PM	#13
cadavev Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Rancho Cucamonga, Ca Posts: 434	wow what a shame if the segway goes away...that would be a sad day.... __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. David Vianu Rancho Cucamonga,Ca I2 Custom To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

01-13-2010, 03:47 PM	#17
KSagal Glides a lot, talks more... Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Pelham, NH, USA. Posts: 10,356	I love my segway, and I like the people I know at the company, but I still think the technology is sound, on its own... Sure, there will be changes, but the concept has legs, so to speak. At this point, with the economy as it is, and with the less than stirling (Spelling is purposeful) Sales record to consumers, it very well not be the time to make a successful company from this product… That does not mean that the product is faulty, or that it will not survive… I have said for a long time, when I consider the SUV my wife drives, and my 6 year old daughter… By the time my daughter is my age of 50, what do we think she will more likely use to do light errands around the neighborhood? A device like my wife’s SUV, or a device like my segway? When Galileo used his telescope to prove his points about the earth orbiting around the sun, instead of the other way around, he was not met with overwhelming acceptance… He was many many years ahead of his time… It did not make him wrong, just in the wrong time. As far as I know, eventually, common knowledge caught up with his ideas, and the facts are the facts, and the earth orbits the sun, not the other way around… The segway is a viable concept. It will survive, I believe… What form I cannot say for sure. But it is not really going anywhere… __________________ Karl Ian Sagal To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. "Well done is better than well said." (Ben Franklin) Bene factum melior bene dictum Proud past President of SEG America and member of the First Premier Segway Enthusiasts Group and subsequent ones as well.

01-13-2010, 03:57 PM	#18
gbrandwood Advanced Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: North west England, UK. Posts: 3,043	Hearing Will say the Segway PT will take a back seat made me smile (any pun intended?) but then discontinued - it made my heart skip (okay, not really, but you know what I mean). I'm not so sure on the huge potential of RMP sales as the primary basis for the business. Out of all sales, I would guess RMP has racked up the least, the commercial sector the most and the consumer sector somewhere in the middle. In terms of Segway UK's desire to see the product made legal here, how would this support the idea of RMP being the driver - when most applications of RMP will not be out on the pavement or on a public highway? So my guess on this is that the prices will fall in the UK. Segways will become legal as EPVs on the road and cycle lanes in 2010, and sales will increase across the board (in the UK). I'm not so sure at this point why things in other countries would change at all - but time will tell. Looking forward to seeing this all pan out. __________________ Gareth Brandwood The comments posted are made by the fat figners of the individual and do not necessarily represent the views of the brain. Last edited by gbrandwood; 01-13-2010 at 06:16 PM..

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