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"Damon" period at Estes
I've seen quite a few references to rockets from the "Damon" period at Estes. I'm assuming this Damon person was a designer at Estes who made particularly cool rockets - it seems I always see this tag on the more unique models (ie, not just 4FNC). Can someone fill me in on details? Is there a list anywhere of the models Damon designed? Is he/she still around and available to answer questions about that era at Estes?
And speaking of such things, where is Estes design work done now? I read somewhere (here or TRF) about a fellow who went down to Penrose and received a very un-warm welcome. Sounded like the building is about closed down. Since they were bought out (a while ago, I know) by some bigger company I'm wondering if most of the operations have been moved elsewhere. It'd be cool to see the new "HQ" since they are doing tours in Penrose any more. |
#2
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Damon was a toy company that bought the company from Vern. I have no doubt that others will know all the details off the top of their head - the years it was owned by Damon, the effects of the sell out, and when the current owner bought it, etc.
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- Dick NAR L2, member of MDRA and NARHAMS *** My Rocket Dungeon ***My Our Planet Page*** Co-moderator of the MicroMaxRockets, microhybrids, and OddRocs Yahoo groups Volunteer compiler of product news for ROCKETS Magazine |
#3
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Quote:
I thought Damon made medical equipment. Maybe you're thinking about Toy Biz, who owned Quest for awhile. Tom C. |
#4
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Damon Engineering,Inc was a medical products company. They purchased Estes Industries,Inc in Spet 1969, until early 1990 when NOMAD Partners, the new owners of DAMON since January 1989 sold off Estes.
Mar 25, 1988 SmithKline's Bid for Lab Testing Firm Reflects Desire to Keep Top Spot in Field Apr 6, 1988 Damon Corp. May Be Target Of Takeover Bid Apr 14, 1988 Damon Corp. Apr 25, 1988 Damon to Spin Off Biotechnology Unit To Its Shareholders Jul 6, 1988 Damon Corp. Calls Proposal Too Low But Offers to Meet Jul 7, 1988 Two Firms Drop Proposed Buy-Out Of Damon Corp. Aug 17, 1988 American Magnetics And Partnership Plan Damon Corp. Offer Aug 19, 1988 Nomad Partners L.P. Begins $200 Million Tender Offer Aug 22, 1988 Damon Sues to Block Nomad Bid Alleging Stock Manipulation Aug 24, 1988 Damon Holder Sues Over 'Poison Pill,' Magnetics Overtures Sep 1, 1988 Damon Corp. Claims American Magnetics' Bid Threatens Spinoff Sep 20, 1988 Damon Corp. Plan For Holders Rights Is Upheld by Court Sep 29, 1988 Damon Holders Tender Over 50% Of Shares in Offer Oct 7, 1988 Damon Seeks to Thwart Bid Oct 12, 1988 Immediate Spinoff Of Damon Biotech Proposed by Nomad Nov 7, 1988 Damon Corp. to Give Financial Information To Nomad Partners Nov 14, 1988 Nomad Partners Extends Offer Nov 23, 1988 Nomad Extends Damon Offer Nov 30, 1988 Nomad Extends Offer Dec 7, 1988 Nomad Partners Extends Offer for Firm to Monday Dec 9, 1988 Damon Corp. Discusses Merger Dec 22, 1988 Damon Says It Talks With a Second Suitor On Possible Takeover Dec 27, 1988 Damon Corp.'s Talks With Possible Suitor Have Been Suspended Dec 29, 1988 Nomad Extends Hostile Bid Jan 3, 1989 Damon Corp. Jan 17, 1989 Damon Tentatively Clears Acquisition By Nomad Partners Feb 21, 1989 Damon Biotech Taps Terry for President, Chief Executive Posts Apr 17, 1989 Damon Corp. Posts $7.6 Million Deficit For Its 2nd Quarter May 31, 1989 Partnership Acquires Damon Aug 11, 1989 Damon Biotech to Seek More Outside Funding January 4, 1990 Partnership's Unit Will Sell Its Hobby Products Business hope this helps terry dean
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"Old Rocketeer's don't die; they just go OOP".....unless you 3D print them. |
#5
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Hmmm, I didn't know that's what Damon did when it wasn't buying a toy company.
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- Dick NAR L2, member of MDRA and NARHAMS *** My Rocket Dungeon ***My Our Planet Page*** Co-moderator of the MicroMaxRockets, microhybrids, and OddRocs Yahoo groups Volunteer compiler of product news for ROCKETS Magazine |
#6
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Go to page 4 at http://www.oldrocketplans.com/mrn/m...RNVol09_No3.pdf where Vern explains his rationale at the time for selling the company. Damon made medical equipment and supplies, but they also had a division that was a competitor to Edmund Scientific. In fact, there was some cross promotion in 1970 as Estes customers were sent a Damon Education catalog and Damon Education customers were sent Estes catalogs. IIRC there was even a joint catalog at some point. In the mid 80's they were known for their biomedical testing equipment (i think their cash cow was diabetic tests), and they were one of the first companies to bring out a simplified test for HIV. I think at that point some of the management saw a potential for being able to print money, and that's where Shockie's time line kicks in.
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Roy nar12605 |
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Don't forget that Damon also bought Centuri, with both companies co-existing until Centuri shut down around 1983. Toward the end, the companies became more and more intertwined with several identical product offerings.
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#8
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Actually, they were the target of an LBO (leveraged buy out). The LBO model at the time said "find business without a lot of debt but steady cash flow from stable businesses, then buy out the company using debt." When done properly, it was a very successful business model. At the time, I tried getting First Chicago Venture Capital to bid on the company, and did get a copy of the prospectus. A very interesting document. Last bit of trivia: the LBO that eventually came out of the Damon - Nomad struggle was the last deal done by Drexel Burhan Lambert, Mike Milken's old firm.
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A dark night in a city that knows how to keep its secrets. But high above the quiet streets on the 12th floor of the Acme Building, one man is still trying to find the answers to life's persistent questions. Guy Noir, Private Eye. Fox Valley Rocketeers: http://www.foxvalleyrocketeers.org |
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