Info Aqualung Financial Troubles

[Green Frog]

As for mass market US Diver stuff for the casual snorkeler, they were here in normal amounts at big box stores, etc this Summer IIRC. I feel like the cheap line will perhaps spin off and keep going independently without the serious scuba stuff. If I had the money and were 25 years younger, I’d try to purchase the Conshelf line, revive the best combination of firsts and seconds, and sell that as a stand alone line. Pipe dream? Maybe, but since the C-14 seconds are still being used professionally, and the latest firsts are durable and easy to service, they would be good to go. I might even pay Kirby-Morgan licensing to use their upgrades. Am I the only one thinking like this?

 

[iain/hsm]

As for mass market US Diver stuff for the casual snorkeler, ...... I feel like the cheap line will perhaps spin off and keep going independently without the serious scuba stuff.

Already happened. As of April 2024 US Divers is no longer part of the Aqualung Group.
Just for now on an open forum the detail you need to be aware of is in the careful use of words here"

The Aqualung Group Agreed to sell the US Divers brand.

US Divers is now owned by Aqua Master Sporting Technology Co LLC

Apart from detail that was given in my earlier post on page 37 of this thread.
The strong are saying nothing. But a lot more will follow.
The deck is already crawling.

 

[iain/hsm]

If I had the money and were 25 years younger, I’d try to purchase the Conshelf line, revive the best combination of firsts and seconds, and sell that as a stand alone line. Pipe dream? Maybe, but since the C-14 seconds are still being used professionally, and the latest firsts are durable and easy to service, they would be good to go. I might even pay Kirby-Morgan licensing to use their upgrades. Am I the only one thinking like this?

You're too late on the money part but it wasn't much. The 25 years younger part I can't help you with.
But would be interested in your preferred combo part. The box top and bottom are a simple brass stamping with a silver solder station for the attachments. The Box top spring, Plastic button button screw retaining clip and decal are all cheap. (by the 1000's) The intermediate hose used to be Gates 1/4" ID to SAE 100 R3
The rings were from Parker Hannifin. The only item that is difficult is the choice of polishing then the copper plating then chrome plating with current environmental considerations. The seat standard polymer with machined parts and spring. The lever was improved at the contact point with a polymer dome

If you happen to consider Kirby Morgan then a more complicated wheel arrangement was attached for the Heliox Band masks and Superlight helmets as a sticking point and used spit and snot as a lubricant.

The USD Diaphragm was a simple silicone moulding and granted is in need of improvement the metal to surface area deforms under high RMV The lever adjustment attachment was not a great improvement but directs the design away from diver simple self service to the original customer (the dive shops) needing to make more money out of the product sales with annual service persuasion.

Back in my youth a tad more than 25 years ago I used to teach the military servicing the US Divers Conshelf Supreme and wrote the Manufacturing Inspection and Test Procedure document for the product before it was incorporated into the Royal Navy fleet (and others) together with the Draeger LAR V. it took half a day with half the class asleep and the other half hungover. Times have changed.

Photo is current Aqualung and Apeks Product post machining first op polishing prior to plating

 

[Rick Brant]

Never was a fan of Party City but private equity magic just caused them to fire every employee right before Christmas.

 

[tridacna]

Never was a fan of Party City but private equity magic just caused them to fire every employee right before Christmas.

Which PE company? Party City Holdco is not funded by PE. Also not every employee. Sucks but so did the company.

 

[Rick Brant]

Party City - THL

 

[cerich]

Speaking of crappy news for Christmas.

 

[jellycatsdad]

View attachment 875926

And an LDS here bought out an old shop and is a full-line AL/Apeks dealer. That doesn’t bode well.

 

[tridacna]

Party City - THL

Exited a while ago. They already did their damage.

 

[jellycatsdad]

Never was a fan of Party City but private equity magic just caused them to fire every employee right before Christmas.

I bought a wig for a last-minute costume there, but the writing was on the wall. Looks like Spirit Halloween and Amazon/WM have no competition.