As you know, Randy Simpson recently closed his business Milwaukee Iron. Yesterday Thursday “Asset Sales” was auctioning the brand name, his building, all bikes and equipment. An offer at $400,000 for the name was rejected by Randy Simpson because he considers that his 25-year old brand is worth much more than that. The building was sold for $490,000. Bikes were sold for an average of $20,000 a piece, and a Leifeild Spinning Lathe change hands for $275,000. Randy, smile again. You have now enough money to not miss any stop on the show tour. Milwaukee Iron.
17 Responses to “Milwaukee Iron Sold. Almost.”
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Randy,
Keep the name man and smile all the way to the bank! With the name you (Milwaukee Iron) live to fight another day! Good for you!
Over & Out,
Jeff
Milwaukee Iron is one of the top names in the industry. I have grown with a MI poster in my room !!! Just keep the name forever….Don´t let them mess around with it (i.e. Von Dutch….)
Wish you all the best !!
Wow! 400k for the name? I remember the original Titan (1996-2001) selling for 395k with assets at the start of the big bang of custom bikes. AIH sold for 1.2 million last year? I think he was getting a reasonable offer in today’s market, just fo the name. But, it is hard to let go something you worked all your life at. He’s got himself a little “nestegg” for now. Best wishes to him and the family.
FredP,
You need to know the income derived from apparel sales to know whether the offer was good, or not so good.
I imagine it was more than emotion.
Just a thought.
TO SELL ANYTHING IN TODAY’S MARKET PLACE IF YOU DON’T HAVE TO IS FOOLISH ! THERE ARE SOME EXCEPTIONS, DUE TO HEALTH REASONS OR NO LEGACY’S IN THE FAMILY OR JUST BURNT OUT. YOUR NAME DOESN’T TAKE UP MUCH ROOM, AND IF YOU DON’T NEED THE MONEY THEN WHAT YOU DID OR DIDNT DUE MAKES SENSE.
Maybe someone in India would buy the name and then import parts made there to the US and the World. (just a joke guy’s just a joke).
$400k for a 25-year-old brand name in a flagging industry? Sounds like a good deal for both parties, especially when you consider the style of “iron” MI has churned out for most of their years on the scene: bloated, overpriced, aesthetically polarizing boardtrackers, billet barges and the like. With a reasonable business plan, some seed money and a clear marketing vision you can start a brand using current communication tools (read that: “the Internet”) for less than $400k that speaks as loudly to its target audience as MI ever did in its heyday. My point? If you live by the made-for-TV documdramedy, you’ll probably die by it. Ask the thespians at OCC.
Best to you, Randy! Hope this change allows you to get back to enjoying motorcycling instead of running a business in motorcycling… two very different things, as many have found.
You’ve worked hard – time to go for a ride.
He turned DOWN 400K for his name “Milwaukee Iron”?? What an IDIOT…In about 1 yr, he’s going to wish he NEVER did that…..ridiculous, If he had any idea of where this countries (and the worlds economies) are headed, he wouldnt be the pouting, egotistical man child he is, he’ll be even MORE broke than he is right now
Hold out. the biggest mistake people or businesses make is to give into pressure to sell cheap when the market is down so that the buyer can steal and profit crazy when the market picks up.
From KC Choppers
Good luck guys you were the best in the industry, you will be missed
You are one of the good guys…
The World changed a lot, and we all took a dip…
Feel good about yourself,, put a smile on your face,
and try again…
to a real entrepreneure, set backs are learning experiences…
My friend Mike Corbin stated it very well. My friend Randy Simpson is one of the best guys I know and I wish him all the best. I’ll miss him in our industry and hope someday we can see his work again influencing this industry.
Just wanted to comment on some saying Randy should have sold his company name for the offered price.
To some folks it is worth much more than money to hold onto their good name. Sure we all have a price that is acceptable to let someone else do as they wish with the good name we created. I personally think it shows great self respect to put your good name above money. I have met Randy at the dealer show in cinncinatti and talked to him about his products as well as others and must say he seemed like a very intelligent and respectful man.
I wish him well in what ever he chooses to do in the future and I am sure no matter what it is he will do it well.
P.S. I thought those boardtrack looking bikes were bad ass.
Hey Randy, I never did get a shirt from you like you said you were gonna send me [remember in Charlie’s trailer, Sturgis 2008]. Oh yeah, we were all a little wacked! Now that you got some free time stop by Freebird Custom in your travels. Take Care, Wiz
Randy: F#@%’em! If you didn’t have to sell the iconic Milwaukee Iron name then more power
to you for holding on to the brand. Don’t let others trivialize the personal value you place on your
reputation in the industry. Good luck to you in what ever direction you head.
Randy: F#@%’em! If you didn’t have to sell the iconic Milwaukee Iron name then more power
to you for holding on to the brand. Don’t let others trivialize the personal value you place on your
reputation in the industry. Good luck to you in whatever direction you head.