List of obsolete or amalgamated companies

Hello Loupy

Unfortunately there is not anywhere that I have ever been able to locate, a Register such as you and millions of others would like.

The best way is to check out the brand/Company via an Internet search Engine, and look for additional Search Terms such as merged, buyout, and the like.

Often after a merger or buyout, the bought Company's Technical Records, and Spares Lists are deleted, which can make obtaining any spare parts a major problem.

Spare parts policy for most equipment are now at a 10 year maximum stored level - after that period no further original parts are made or stored.

I was advised of this 10 year policy for spare parts, back in the 1960's, when attending a New Zealand Seminar after a buyout.

The bought-out Company had been in business for over 90 years, and their policy was always to have spares for every part ever made, ready and waiting on the shelf, to quickly ship to a customer, right back for those 90+ years.

We were advised by the Company which purchased that old Family Company, that the new "10 year spares only" policy was effective immediately, and thousands of parts for vintage equipment were scrapped within the week.

I do appreciate the situation, only too well.

Kind Regards....

There is the Directory of Lost Companies, as compiled by Walt Boyes, editor of CONTROL magazine. This lists 200+ companies in the automation and process control industries that have disappeared, been acquired, or merged over the years. Go to:

http://www.controlglobal.com/articles/2005/487.html

The list is not entirely accurate. Moore Industries is listed as lost, but it is still here, and still run by its founder, Leonard Moore.

Wow. My answer; none of that I am aware, and if you ever find it, please let me know! I mentioned this to an engineering intern the other day as he and I looked to find the current manufacturer of a certain item. I told him that a good part of his career may be spent playing the part of a detective of sorts.

At least now we have the internet, and that sure beats the old Thomas Register we all once used. The facilty that I now work in has sections that date back to the 1920's so there is still a bit of old stuff around there. A lot of the drivelines I work with were built in the 1940's , 1950's, and 1960's.

I do have a couple of jocular terms that I use to describe things that are difficult or impossible to find. I usually state that they are made from either of the elements "Unobtanium" or "Obsoletum". These two (2) elements are on my Periodic Table, LOL.

Just think about it-if someone went on a mission to make such a list, that might be a lifetime of work in itself due to our very "global" economy.

Best Regards,

Ing. Robert Forbus

Roger Penske coined the term "Unobtainum," when asked about the material used to build the legendary 1100-hp Porsche 917-30 that Mark Donohue raced in the 1970s.

I found this on the web:

the material "unobtainium" was first used by Roger Penske and Mark Donahue on the 1971 Can Am Porsche 917-30. They made the space frame out of a different material and when people asked them what the material was they responded "unobtanium" to let them know it was effing expensive and they probably couldn't obtain it.

And here's a parts list from a race supplier:

> Unobtanium Shock Shafts, ea. image
> #3964 Unobtanium Shock Shafts, .35", (pair) 11.00
> #6416 Unobtanium Shock Shaft 1.32" 6.00
> #6417 Unobtanium Shock Shaft 1.02" 6.00
> #6418 Unobtanium Shock Shaft .71" 6.00
> #6419 Unobtanium Shock Shaft .56" 6.00
> #8845 Unobtanium Shock Shaft, .35" 6.00

Unobtanium is REAL!

I think that unfortunately a large part of the problem encountered is ties to the rapid turnover of companies and the rate of change in certain technologies. The old family companies built things to last for extended periods of time, while management philosophy now seems to be strictly focused on the "almighty dollar". Whereas it used to be practical to maintain a stock of spares, there was subsequently a move (by suppliers) to move to JIT delivery. Unfortunately, if the company that produces the gadget goes out of business, JIT delivery means nothing. A real OH, Shucks Moment.

I am speciaalize in obsolete part send me an email

mmoscati@iol.it

best regards

Michele Moscati

Ramos srl