Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Strong in trouble?

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Posted by Michael Pace (Member # 553) on 10-20-2001, 05:47 PM:

I have just heard that Strong has filed for Chapter 11 protection.

Would anyone like to clarify this situation?

Regards,

Michael.

Posted by William T. Parr (Member # 677) on 10-20-2001, 06:56 PM:

That would be news to me Michael. However I can say that it would not be surprising since most of Strong major customers have filed for Chapter 11 for protection against creditors. If they did, it is only because everyone else has done this to be protected from Strong getting what is owed them right now.

Posted by Pat Moore (Member # 380) on 10-22-2001, 09:09 AM:

Hi;

A quick, one word answer: NO!

Ballantyne of Omaha / Strong International is still alive and kicking, working at getting better.

I am so tired of hearing those stories and would love to know where this one started. Gossip's a wonderful thing. According to some of these sources, we've been filing or going to file up to five times over the last year-and-a-half. At some stage, doesn't that become a lousy way to compete?

We're a public company so there's no denying the times have been tough. Any manufacturer of new equipment that says they are doing well in the industry right now also has a sale on quality land(fill) at a can't-be-beat price. Among those stories, often from our competition, are stories about Strong. Don't believe too many of them.

We've made some hard adjustments -- we are much smaller than we used to be, but we've been at that new size for about a year without further reduction. We've worked hard to reduce debt and make other necessary adjustments. We still make and stock and sell parts, components and major equipment. We're not going anywhere but ahead with business.

What's hurt us -- like anyone in the movie theatre equipment industry -- has been the drastic reduction in new sales. None of the Chapter 7 or 11 filings in the exhibition side of the business has hurt us in any other way.

We're still here... If you hear otherwise, feel free to ask.

Pat

Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 10-22-2001, 01:11 PM:

Pat: Glad to hear it from one who should know! Tough economic times help to focus the efforts of the companies that are in this business for the long haul and have faith in its future.

------------------
John P. Pytlak, Senior Technical Specialist
Worldwide Technical Services, Entertainment Imaging
Research Labs, Building 69, Room 7525A
Rochester, New York, 14650-1922 USA
Tel: 716-477-5325 Cell: 716-781-4036 Fax: 716-722-7243
E-Mail: john.pytlak@kodak.com
Web site: http://www.kodak.com/go/motion

Posted by William T. Parr (Member # 677) on 10-22-2001, 02:19 PM:

Pat,

Glad to hear that none of the Chapter 7 and Chapter 11 filings is hurting you in a big way. Hoepfully things are going to rebound in the industry in the next few years to a respctiable level for all involved.

Posted by Don Sneed (Member # 955) on 10-22-2001, 06:30 PM:

Hey Pat..that was good news, I was holding my breath...I keep telling my company to keep on selling, I'll install it...so keep on making the equipment !! Tell Troy, Dan, Jerry, & Ray hello for me...

Posted by Steve Guttag (Member # 268) on 10-22-2001, 09:29 PM:

Brad,

I'd like to go on record (again) by stating this type of rummor does nothing for the industry but hurt it. If someone can't substatiate such a rummor (like proving that such a filing has happened) then the thread should not just be locked but deleated. Leaving it in the records can only due harm and has NO useful purpose to anyone. All it takes is for someone to browse this sight...see the thread and casually state ..."yeah I was reading on the internet about Strong going bank...." and the rummors start a flying.

Strong is a good and reputable company that is very responsive to it's dealers and customers and _I_ take GREAT offense to such a rummor being spread without hard facts. >

Steve

------------------
"Old projectionists never die, they just changeover!"

Posted by Ken Lackner (Member # 1002) on 10-22-2001, 09:41 PM:

I do agree with Steve in that rumors should not be spread like that without evidence to back them up. However, I beleive that Michael was asking for clarification about a rumor that he heard, not spreading one himself, and I like the fact that we were able to hear directly from someone at Strong about the situation.

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 10-23-2001, 01:17 AM:

I don't think any harm was done. A Strong rep clarified this rumor within 48 hours and anyone reading the site now knows this straight from Pat Moore.

If anything, if this rumor continues to circle around the industry, anyone who as read this thread will be able to stop it dead in it's tracks from spreading further. Besides, the title of this thread was "Strong in trouble?" clearly asking if this was true. The topic originator did not come onto the site saying "hey everyone, Strong is in trouble" presenting it as fact. Also deleting it would only keep the rumor floating for readers of this site.

Not to worry, if someone had not been able to provide facts on the situation, I would have contacted Strong directly on it after a few days. However as is usually the case, someone from the company will respond fairly quickly. Pretty much all of the companies with registered reps on this forum are very good about participating when a question arises.

Like you though, I do wonder how this sort of thing gets started.

Posted by Randy Stankey (Member # 64) on 10-23-2001, 02:20 AM:

The trouble is that repeating rumors can perpetuate them. One small question, "Is it true that..." can snowball on you in no time.

However, people should remember the first rule of the internet: Believe no rumors. For some strange reson, peoples' "bullshit detectors" are easily short circuited when they read things like that.

After all, isn't this one of the reasons why they call it "the World Wide Wasteland?"

Posted by Michael Pace (Member # 553) on 10-23-2001, 06:00 AM:

Pat,

Thank you for your response. In an age when we are seeing so many companies fold for all the wrong reasons, I can assure you that many of us are very consious to any report, rumour based or otherwise, that affects us.

Here in Australia there are not all that many Simplex projectors when compared to the others. We have 6 Simplex PR1060 projectors on 5 star soundheads and carry a small spares inventory, but I can assure you that in the long run we are sensitive to rumours that stock may dissapear from the market.

We also have CFS/Rentec consoles and that company has folded. Luckily most of the electrical equipment in these are fairly standard so that switches, blower motors etc are able to be sourced in Australia.

Pat, thank you once again for your reassurance and thank you to all who have replied to this posting.

Regards,

Michael.

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 10-23-2001, 11:36 AM:

Pat is right. We get parts and stuff from Strong several times a week. And they are better than ever at NOT back ordering parts and major stuff. Anyway,chicken fryer sales would keep the company afloat for many years to come. The restaurant side of Ballantyne was always way larger than the projector side of thngs.
Mark @ GTS

Posted by Pat Moore (Member # 380) on 10-24-2001, 07:27 AM:

Hi again;

First, Michael, Brad and all concerned, no offense at all taken from anyone asking for clarification or if something they heard is true. I appreciate the interest and I think this site's always been a great place to get a straight answer. I think we knew that as soon as Regal finally filed the questions would come up again.

For everyone supporting Strong and the industry in general, THANKS!

Mark -- while we do make chicken fryers and other restaurant equipment (did many other people realize that?), it is a comparatively small part of our overall business. Motion picture makes up 70-80+% of our total business over the last five years, and lighting products (spotlights, Xenotech, etc.) another 10-15%. Restaurant makes up the difference, but with recently increased sales outside the US that side of the business is growing nicely. Not quite ready to carry Ballantyne on its back, though...

Michael -- we are making some parts for some of the CFS products. If there are requirements down under, let us know and we'll try to be of service.

Pat

Posted by Freddie Dobbs (Member # 915) on 10-24-2001, 09:42 AM:

Pat, you beat me to the punch about the chicken fryers, man that was some good chicken, I sure do miss it....I have lost weight though...

Posted by Dave Williams (Member # 299) on 10-24-2001, 11:03 AM:

I think I have used some of these chicken fryers. I was always curious why my projectors smelled like fried chicken.

Dave

Posted by Ken Lackner (Member # 1002) on 10-24-2001, 11:22 AM:

Just make sure you don't use Simplex oil to fry your chicken and put cooking oil in your projector!

Posted by Jerry Chase (Member # 660) on 10-24-2001, 11:38 AM:

Are you concerned the chicken would have a Strong flavor?
<grin, duck & run>

Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 10-24-2001, 12:48 PM:

Jerry --- you better grin, duck and run, since that was NOT the pun of the Century.

Posted by Randy Stankey (Member # 64) on 10-24-2001, 02:00 PM:

So, Pat, when are you going to make a projector console that has a chicken frier built in? Projectionists get hungry too, Y'Know!

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 10-24-2001, 02:22 PM:

Randy,
Fried foods are bad for you! Too much grease to plug your arteries. For several years now I've been grilling my chickens inside the lamphouse on a special "Projectionists Grill" that fits right inside of a Super Highlite. Calculating the current vs. proper cook times was a bit trying at times and I had several chickens go up in flames from the high voltage ignitor pulse. Those things have since been "rectified" and it now works beautifully. A big advantage is that it is arranged so the grease dripping off is caught and is fed into the either the projector, or SH-1000 gear box for lube. If ya like to grill alot it will mean never having to add lube to either the projector or soundhead!

I am in negotiations with Strong for them to go into production on the line next to where the Super Highlites are made. With minor modifications it will also fit a Christie SLX and a Neumade however neither of the other companies have expressed any interest in them as of yet. Watch for upcomming Strong infomercial hosted by George Foreman on late night TV.
Mark @ GTS

Posted by Freddie Dobbs (Member # 915) on 10-24-2001, 02:39 PM:

Jerry & John,

Please, oh, please, refrain from going there, that hurt my eyes!

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 10-24-2001, 05:02 PM:

If anyone should know about fried foods, it's Mark G!

Posted by William T. Parr (Member # 677) on 10-24-2001, 05:19 PM:

Hey Mark,

You think the catch phrase in the Strong Infomercial by George Foreman will be something like 5 out of 6 George Foreman's prefer Strong Equipment in their Movie Theatre?

Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 10-24-2001, 08:07 PM:

Actually I once got fryers in a cratse that was marked and whould have been a pro35s years ago

Posted by Randy Stankey (Member # 64) on 10-24-2001, 09:20 PM:

quote:
Mark G: Calculating the current vs. proper cook times was a bit trying at times and I had several chickens go up in flames from the high voltage ignitor pulse.

Gives a new meaning to the words, "Fried" Chicken... doesn't it?

No matter. We have to do something! Gone are the days when projectionists could heat their lunch inside the lamphouse!

Y'Know, I've often had thoughts about hiding a keg of beer inside the back of a CFS console and installing a tap on the side of it. Only problem is that it'd soon be piss warm from all the heat. Since Strong is making retorfit parts for the CFS console, maybe they could put a refrigeration unit in there.

No, seriously, now...
Since Strong's "other" business is making food service equipment, It'd be neat to know how much food service equipment it sells to theatres.
Allied industries, doncha' know.

Posted by Pete Lawrence (Member # 130) on 10-24-2001, 10:34 PM:

There's this rumor about a new design:

with apologies to Pat Moore and Ron Popeil.

Posted by William T. Parr (Member # 677) on 10-24-2001, 11:56 PM:

Hey Shouldn't those be on the optional Rotissiore below the Lamp?

Posted by Jon Miller (Member # 163) on 10-25-2001, 12:20 AM:

Speaking of cinema products manufactured by Strong (or should I say, once manufactured by Strong) adapted for cookery...

Some time ago I read an account of an incident from a long time ago, of some hapless projectionist who stuck a can of baked beans inside an operating Peerless Magnarc, apparently failing to poke holes in the can to relieve the pressure and forgetting he'd placed the can in the lamphouse (IIRC, he was distracted). Well, the can exploded, spewing beans everywhere and creating a mess in the booth that makes the aftermath of a xenon lamp going bang seem minor by comparison.

Anybody recall that yarn?

Posted by Pete Lawrence (Member # 130) on 10-25-2001, 12:26 AM:

I used to keep pizza warm in an Ashcraft carbon-arc lamphouse. And that's for real! Never had an explosion though.

Posted by Don Sneed (Member # 955) on 10-25-2001, 03:49 AM:

My first Projection job was at a single screen theatre (Downtown Galveston) we had a RCA tube amplifiers from 1937 still working, we would place a sandwich or a Honey bun (cinammon roll not the candy girl) on top of the amps, in a couple of hrs. they were hot & ready to eat !!! I hated to see those amps go when they upgraded to soild state "mono amps".....I never tried in the carbon lamp, was alway scare of getting carbon dust in my sandwich....

Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 10-25-2001, 07:16 AM:

Don Sneed said: "I never tried in the carbon lamp, was alway scare of getting carbon dust in my sandwich...."

Good thing that you didn't! The Union Carbide National Carbon Bulletin No. 10 says that carbons contained "rare-earth compounds that provide the special qualities of light". Likely some "heavy metals" there that aren't good for your health if ingested.

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 10-25-2001, 09:22 AM:

Gord said...
"Actually I once got fryers in a cratse that was marked and whould have been a pro35s years ago"

I'll bet the restaurant that got the Pro 35's is still trying to figure out where the cooking fat and chicken goes.
Mark @ GTS

Posted by Pete Lawrence (Member # 130) on 10-25-2001, 12:18 PM:

As John said, there are quite a few nasty things floating around inside an arc lamphouse. In addition to the "rare-earth" compounds there were plenty of good old copper compounds. The exhaust was working correctly and there was never any dust inside, just the copper drippings and spatter. We really weren't concerned about it though. Everything that went in the "warmer" was well wrapped in foil with the edges folded over.

Posted by Don Sneed (Member # 955) on 10-26-2001, 12:13 PM:

Hey Mark, That was funny !!! Thanks for the laugh .....Lo,LOL

Posted by Pat Moore (Member # 380) on 10-29-2001, 01:22 PM:

Okay, okay...

I did like the Ultra 80 Open Cooker, quite the piece of work. The birds tend to get a little overdone on one side, but...

The restaurant side actually started with drive in theatres a few decades ago when Ballantyne was making car speakers. People had to eat too, right? Good idea, but problem were "dem bones" -- any of you from the drive in side can imagine the problems that created in field maintenance and pests. Ugh. Stck with pizza.

Ok, back to work for me... See everyone at ShowEast ... where, by the way, we are showing

FILM PROJECTION and LIGHTING EQUIPMENT!!

Pat

Posted by Aaron Sisemore (Member # 145) on 10-29-2001, 04:06 PM:

Back in the Drive-In days, I did used to keep hot dogs and other foods warm by wrapping them in aluminum foil and placing them on top of the two Altec 1570B amplifiers in the sound rack... Kept things piping hot for the entire night!! I was a bit leery about placing any food items inside the Futura IIs, not because of carbon contamination, but rather electrical safety from the foil...

-Aaron