Albion Goes to the Continent -- myArmoury.com

Howard Waddell · Industry Professional

There is something about February and Albion…

7 Years ago, in February 1999, we opened our web page for business for the very first time. Shortly after opening the site, we hired our very first employee, Jason Dingledine (now the head of our Blade shop and film recreations R&D)

5 years ago, in February 2001, we moved to our manufacturing facility in New Glarus, Wisconsin, and Mike Sigman joined us to take over Customer Service.

4 years ago, in February 2002, Eric McHugh joined us full time (now the head of R&D for historical recreations).

In the last five years…

Peter Johnsson has visited Albion 10 times since 2001, and as a result of his research and hard work, and the tireless work of the staff here, we have 5 Museum Line sword models, 40 Next Generation sword models, 4 Squire Line models and 2 Special Limited edition swords in production, with many, many more in research and development.

Jody Samson, (who moved his studio from Burbank, California to join us in chilly Wisconsin in 2001), has designed and produced hundreds of individual custom swords (making him one of the most prolific custom makers ever in the business), guided the groundbreaking Conan project into production (the first accurate and fully functional film sword recreations ever in production), and has 6 of his exclusively designed swords in production, with many more in development.

And now…

This February, Albion is proud to announce the creation of Albion Europe, a sister company based on the Continent that will handle all marketing, customer service and distribution of Albion products for our European customers. Albion Europe will host websites in several languages and represent Albion at many festivals and trade shows throughout Europe.

Albion Europe will be run by our long-time customer and friend, Søren Niedziella.

We are thrilled to have a collector and western martial arts enthusiast of Søren’s caliber representing us and sharing his knowledge with our customers and friends in Europe. Under Søren’s leadership, Albion Europe will bring the same standard of quality and service that our customers have come to expect from Albion.

Albion has become known for its European research and European design, and now through Albion Europe, we will add a European presence, European representation and European distribution.

As Søren heads back to Denmark and begins implementation over the next few months, we will give updates on the services Albion Europe can offer.

Please join us in welcoming Søren to the Albion team.

Best,

Howy

Lloyd Clark · Posted: Thu 02 Feb, 2006 10:45 am Post subject:

Congrats, Howy.

Good things happen for good people.

Greyson Brown · Posted: Thu 02 Feb, 2006 10:47 am Post subject:

That's some really great news, of course it would happen right about the time I'm getting ready to leave the European continent, but hey, it's still good news. Congrats Howie Exclamation

I still think you need to clone a "Euro-Mike," though. If nothing else, it would add a bullet to your list of Febuary firsts.

-Grey

Martin Wallgren · Posted: Thu 02 Feb, 2006 10:48 am Post subject:

Hurra!

Välkomna!

Fantastic news! So we are going to not have to pay the 25% private import fee?

Good grace, this is a late x-mas present.

Joe Fults · Posted: Thu 02 Feb, 2006 11:03 am Post subject:

Cool addition to the business.

Russ Ellis · Industry Professional

Wow that's very exciting. Soren is a heck of a guy (and one heck of a collector) and I suspect that he will do a good job with Albion Europe. Congratulations!

Thomas Hoogendam · Posted: Thu 02 Feb, 2006 1:26 pm Post subject:

Great news!!! Living in the Netherlands, the waiting time for a sword to be cleared by custums is terrible, not to mention the duties you have to pay.

This is very good news indeed!!

Blaz Berlec · Posted: Thu 02 Feb, 2006 1:29 pm Post subject:

Wow, that's great news. So me owning an Albion's sword sometime in the undefined future suddenly doesn't sound so incredible. Big Grin

Seriously, I think that Europe is a large and perspective market. There are hundreds and hundreds of sword lovers, from collectors of display items to sword fighting practitioners, reenactors, ... And although there are lots of individuals and companies making swords here, most of them have very long waiting lists, very high prices or low-quality products.

Looking forward to it!

Brian M · Posted: Thu 02 Feb, 2006 1:52 pm Post subject:

Wow! I think we need a sale to commemorate this event... Big Grin

Brian M

Mikko Kuusirati · Posted: Thu 02 Feb, 2006 2:38 pm Post subject:

I'm walking on sunshine, whooo-oooah
I'm walking on sunshine, whooo-oooah
I'm walking on sunshine, whooo-oooah
And don't it feel good!

Big Grin

Gary Grzybek · Posted: Thu 02 Feb, 2006 5:10 pm Post subject:

Congrats Howy!

It's good to see you guys breaking into the european market.

Jonathon Janusz · Posted: Thu 02 Feb, 2006 7:17 pm Post subject:

Congratulations, Soren! Now Peter won't feel a thousand miles away when he's working at home - he's got a buddy Happy

. . . besides, I figured by now Soren has to have a 5% or better interest in the company just in personal inventory Laughing Out Loud

Phenomenal news for all the enthusiasts on the other side of the pond. This, I hope, will also help research and development process all around - it is always handy to have a place to hang your hat wherever you do business.

. . . and Howy, if you're looking for a Customer Service Duke of Europe. . . I've already got the flannel shirt, and a Packers cap is pretty easy to come by here in cheesehead country - those are your Regent's ornaments, are they not? Wink

Bob Burns · Posted: Thu 02 Feb, 2006 10:43 pm Post subject:

Congratulations Howie, that is absolutely FANTASTIC!!!!!!! Awesome and within 8 years, absolutely incredible.

Proof positive that it pays to prioritize high quality to customers!

Bob

David Etienne · Posted: Fri 03 Feb, 2006 12:08 am Post subject:

Sam Barris · Posted: Fri 03 Feb, 2006 12:41 am Post subject:

Are there any countries in the EU that may still resist these items being shipped into their country, in spite of Albion's new continental status?

Folkert van Wijk · Posted: Fri 03 Feb, 2006 1:04 am Post subject:

This is realy great!!!

Congratulations Albion and Søren Niedziella!
Looking foreward to hear more about this...

Maybe in advance someone from Albion could tell what this all means for costumers from europe?

Is there indead a decline of delivery time?
And the duties?
Is there going to be a stock here in Europe?
Is there also going to be a workshop somewhere for services and such?
Maybe even for production???

Questions questions...

Anyhow it's good to have a company like yours in europe, to fill up the emty spaces between the "verry good hi quality, expencive and long waiting list" like stuf and the "verry cheap not so verry good quality" like stuf...

Again congrats!!!
I wich you quys Good Bussiness...!

Folkert

Michal Plezia · Industry Professional

Wonderfull!

Hmm Niedziella...does he have any polish ancestors?Niedziela (with one l ) is Sunday in polish Big Grin

Patrik Erik Lars Lindblom · Posted: Sat 04 Feb, 2006 4:30 am Post subject:

Paul Mortimer · Posted: Sat 04 Feb, 2006 8:10 am Post subject:

Sounds jolly good to me. Now, when will the new version of the Kragehul be released?

Paul

Lee O'Hagan · Posted: Sun 05 Feb, 2006 12:12 pm Post subject:

Sounds good news all round,
As Brit customs sometimes forget to use the exchange rate it'l be nice to see a price and know what your paying before the gamble with the customs charges,
Well done Soren, Cool