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Kentrol discontinuing Scout fiberglass parts?

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binderdan

Farmall Cub
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Oct 3, 2003
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I had heard earlier this year I believe in a SSS email that Kentrol is discontinuing all Scout, Jeep, and Bronco fiberglass reproduction parts.
I went to their website and all the links to the fiberglass parts are now dead links.
Although I am not currently in need of a specific part this concerned me. Does the recent retirement of Howard Pletcher of Howteron Products, and the discontinue of Kentrol's products mean there is only one source left (Scout Pluss) for fiberglass Scout parts?
Will Kentrol's fiberglass molds get tossed upon the scrap heap and be lost forever? Or does anyone know of something in the works to buy them?
 

sully0812

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I saw this too. I thought they were the only ones making fiberglass Scout parts anymore. Is that not the case? I'm not familiar with Scout Pluss.

It would be great if the community could preserve the molds in some fashion, so that they could be used again in the future.

I wonder what the cost\effort associated with that would be?
 

binderdan

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I was wondering this as well. I work for a company who manufactures composite aircraft. Although its not my area of expertise I have plenty of coworkers who are experts on the subject.
Could be a fun side business.
 

Mark Aycock

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Just caled Kentrol and spoke to Tina. No more fiberglass Scout parts. The molds are for sale. I didn't ask price. Some wealthy Scout guy should step up and buy the molds.
 

sully0812

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Just caled Kentrol and spoke to Tina. No more fiberglass Scout parts. The molds are for sale. I didn't ask price. Some wealthy Scout guy should step up and buy the molds.

Is this something that Light Line is interested in? Or would a private individual have to step up?

I wonder what the startup cost would be, as well as the expected return.
 

Johnnycobra

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I smell a "gofundme.com" effort to put the molds in the public domain - or at least buy them so that a national IH non-profit org can hold them until the right time :)
 

jeff campbell

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if you DO get the molds, then you need ALL the other set up tools that go with them,of they;d be useless ! just another thing to think about.:confused:
 

Jeff Jamison

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I have been to there place,you guys probably have no idea of what it takes to produce a glass body,its very dirty prosses and smelly.
Jeff
 

binderdan

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I have never seen their place but we build composite aircraft where I work and it is indeed a VERY DIRTY job. Maybe I should call Mike Rowe. lol
 

rhouser30

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i wouldnt be suprised if they were scrapped, unless the price is cheap, the cost to buy the molds versus the time it takes to recoup the money invested to start making parts. I would be interested in seeing what their sales were, I just dont see many people on here going the Kentrol route much.
 

Johnnycobra

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Just caled Kentrol and spoke to Tina. No more fiberglass Scout parts. The molds are for sale. I didn't ask price. Some wealthy Scout guy should step up and buy the molds.

I understood that there were to be no more fiberglass bodies, but this includes hoods/doors/tailgates/liftgates/hoods/fenders/grilles?
 

Scavenger Scout

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I guess the market for carbon fiber scout bodies just got a little stronger :D

Sucks to hear about any scout parts manufacturer discontinuing things, hope the molds find their way to a productive home
 

BuffScout

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Still "Forever West" but Colorado now
That's really too bad and disappointing to hear. I've talked to a couple of people who used them and were more than satisfied with the product. I used the Kentrol fiberglass end caps on my restoration and have no complaints at all - they were a terrific alternative to the originals and at a price that was a little easier on the pocket book. Hopefully someone will take advantage of this opportunity and buy the molds and continue to provide these parts.
 

Rod MacDonnell

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I have talked to Tom at Kentrol. He would like to sell all of the fiberglass moulds as a package. This would include Jeep/Scout/Bronco and talking close to $1/2 million. For anyone to buy this, you will need a huge warehouse, assemble a staff to manufacture and especially, staff to market the product. Why did they close is the question. The cost of supplies is going up and the demand going down. Makes me wonder how someone expects to make any money/profit with the initial investment of the moulds, leasing a warehouse, hiring staff, purchasing supplies etcetera when the demand is drying up. Many of the moulds would never make a return on the investment. The cost of storing seldom used moulds eats away at the investment and compounds with the interest. Luckily, I have the moulds that I purchased from Real Gendreau who was the pioneer in the manufacture of Scout II fiberglass parts. The problem with my business *ScoutpluSS!!* is that we are located in Canada and situated on the West Coast. Shipping costs can be prohibitive, although we have sent product to most of the States and World Wide. We have looked at expanding our fiberglass offering, but realize that for many of the parts it is just not feasible. Anyone is welcome to contact us to request specific glass parts and if we deem sufficient demand is forthcoming, will make those parts available. Anyone getting into the glass business now...and as with me, has to charge more to remain profitable, Kentrol was losing money at the prices they were charging. SO, the big question, who will buy glass parts if the price has to go up 10-25%~! Currently, the Canadian Dollar is valued about 10% less than the USD, so, it is like getting a 10% discount when you shop with us~!
 

joshua m

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Mar 3, 2006
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Miami Beach
Rod,
Thank you for looking into this as it has been a question on a lots minds here in the community. I myself just found your business and will defiantly be sending some parts requests your way. As time wears on I'm sure that the glass parts will come into demand as the original parts get harder and more expensive to come by.
 
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