Missouri Meerschaum Possibly Being Sold

[hoosierpipeguy]

The Hoffmanns appear to be building a "destination" area, the target market being tourists. The way RV's are selling, people a retiring at a younger age, I think they, the Hoffmanns have a viable plan which will have a positive economic impact on the area. The "pipe works" would be a draw, probably one of the center pieces of their dream. It's an idea that has worked well in other areas.

Now that sounds like a plausible scenario.

 

[shanez]

Does this mean we should start panic buying cobs?

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

Does this mean we should start panic buying cobs?

I'd buy 500 if I were you. Might turn out to be a wise investment. Don't forget to ask for a volume discount.

 

[mortonbriar]

I'd buy 500 if I were you. Might turn out to be a wise investment. Don't forget to ask for a volume discount.

Yeah, get 500 at the very least...I heard they get better with quantity.

 

[trudger]

Sykes isn't adding MM to the Laudisi portfolio?!

 

[kcghost]

That haven't started talking money yet so this could be a while.

 

[Sweet Home Alabama]

Grab em while you can!!

 

[mso489]

It sounds like the ownership is somewhat spread around already, but still focussed on the pipe business. It's been a terrible hazard in the newspaper business when business tycoons uninterested in journalism buy up newspapers from old journalism families. They read the spreadsheet instead of the newspaper, and pretty soon the newsroom staff withers and papers become conglomerate chains with little connection to the communities they serve, sort of absentee landlords. MM is, among other things, a sheltered workshop, and that excellent arrangement is now in question, to me at least. I hope for the best, and that all the happy talk about keeping MM what it is ends up having some teeth. MM does a great job at what it does, not as a tourist attraction serving other businesses, but as a maker of the best cob pipes in the world. I'd prefer they not change that, whoever the ownership is. Laudisi would be better owners, actually being in the pipe business.

 

[warren]

Waterford, Ie. has a great tourist draw in the glass making business. All the surrounding area benefits from such. Detroit put all of it/s eggs in automobiles. Where is that city now? It's in a struggle for survival. MM can make great pipes and draw interested tourists. Sales of pipes and tourists items would only increase the value of the company.

I wouldn't be surprised if a Branson style theater or two pop up. Anything that provides opportunities for a better economy for the citizens is a good thing. Increased tax base, better schools, utilities, etc. Improved standard of living isn't a death kneel for MM, it's a plus.

MM is certainly compatible with a growing local economy and certainly an improvement on an economy which may be heavily dependent on one employer which caters to a shrinking market. We should consider the "big picture" rather than our mainly selfish interests as pipe smokers. Pipes are a niche market, cobs very much so.

 

[mso489]

warren, I believe you could pick up a side gig writing a brochure for the intended buyers. Maybe I'd better invest in them.

 

[warren]

I would consider it if they were publicly traded. I don't believe they are. But, anything that may improve an area economically is a good thing. The Hoffmanns do not appear to have a history of buying simply to enjoy a gain by liquidating acquired assets. I could be wrong but, I think not.

I do not believe the cob company would be an attractive buy simply to close it and sell off any assets. Probably MM's best asset is their employee base. Hard to sell humans for a profit since the War of the Rebellion.

 

[Streeper541]

If I win the Powerball I'll call Phil and submit a cash offer. ?