This is topic Oscar no longer at SMART in forum Film-Yak at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.


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Posted by Oscar Neundorfer (Member # 458) on 05-29-2005, 07:21 AM:
 
Well, after 21+ years at SMART I am no longer employed there. If you need service help, call Don at SMART. He is a good guy and will do all he can to help you out.

I will continue to check in on this forum no matter where I end up working because it is such a great place to keep up with all things related to this industry, and the people here are so helpful. I have learned an incredible amount here over the years which has been a very big help to me. Thanks to Brad and to everyone who contributes here.
 
Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 05-29-2005, 10:10 AM:
 
Oscar,

Sorry to hear this... might be a Dumb move.... [Big Grin] ya know I just had to say that! Thanks a ton for all your decasdes of dedicated support and you sir are a top notch example of eactly what dedicated customer support should be. I wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors what ever they might be.
 
Posted by Dustin Mitchell (Member # 372) on 05-29-2005, 11:05 AM:
 
Oscar, I've only talked to you on the phone once but I think it says a lot for your dedication to customer service that the chief engineer of a company would take time out of his busy day to help a lowly assistant manager with a sound problem. Good luck in whatever endeavor you pursue next.
 
Posted by Richard Fowler (Member # 893) on 05-29-2005, 02:47 PM:
 
Oscar has been a prince in resolving problems with clients and producing custom items in the past for our projects. Oscar, good luck; tommorrow's opportunities may not be apparent, but things tend to fall in place [thumbsup]
 
Posted by Tim Reed (Member # 137) on 05-29-2005, 03:16 PM:
 
Oscar! Wow, I'm sorry to hear this. They've got to be crazy, letting you get away. You're a good man, and I hope you don't get put out too much by this event. I know you will land on your feet. Let us know something, keep us posted.

Best wishes.
 
Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 05-29-2005, 03:29 PM:
 
Whoa, that's a surprise...and one that probably wasn't too SMART. I'm shocked they let you leave without a fight to keep you (or maybe they did). It's not often when someone has such a flawless track record of customer service and satisfaction that I can recall ZERO negative comments from anyone over the years...yes NOT ONE!

I am sure you will excel wherever you move to. [Smile]
 
Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 05-29-2005, 04:18 PM:
 
quote:
It's not often when someone has such a flawless track record of customer service and satisfaction that I can recall ZERO negative comments from anyone over the years...yes NOT ONE!
Boy, I'll second that one [thumbsup] !

Mark
 
Posted by Oscar Neundorfer (Member # 458) on 05-29-2005, 08:23 PM:
 
I appreciate the VERY kind words. They have really helped to give my morale a boost which helps a lot as my feet are pounding the pavement to find a new job (or actually as my fingers are getting worn out on the keyboard as I search on the internet). Just for clarification, my departure was, ...shall we say... somewhat less than voluntary. [Roll Eyes] But life goes on, and so do I.
 
Posted by William Hooper (Member # 71) on 05-30-2005, 12:58 AM:
 
Good luck, Oscar!
 
Posted by Don Furr (Member # 1469) on 05-30-2005, 07:11 AM:
 
All the best to you Oscar and thanks for you help in the past.
Please keep us up to date on what's going on. [thumbsup]

Don
 
Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 05-30-2005, 07:58 AM:
 
Best of luck
While no one is unreplaceable some are far more difficult than others to replace
Smart I think has made a Dumb move on this one
 
Posted by John T. Hendrickson, Jr (Member # 849) on 05-31-2005, 07:15 PM:
 
Oscar-

Didn't believe my eyes when I saw this post! I second Gordon's comment. I wish you all the best. You were always there for the customer, and I'm sure you will land on your feet.
 
Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 06-01-2005, 09:40 AM:
 
Best of luck in making a career change. [thumbsup]
 
Posted by Jason Black (Member # 684) on 06-01-2005, 09:07 PM:
 
If the rumor I heard some time ago about Scott Meader buying into,or taking over SMART are true.. you're better of being gone.. [Smile]

Sorry to hear that the leaving was a bit less than voluntary, but I'm a firm believer that everything happens for a reason.

BTW, Oscar, if I'm mistaken about my Scott comment, please correct me via PM or email.. Thanks!

[ 06-02-2005, 10:45 PM: Message edited by: Jason Black ]
 
Posted by Richard Fowler (Member # 893) on 06-02-2005, 09:36 AM:
 
Scott and a group of investors are purchasing the company over a two year period so as to learn the business and deal with established clients. Owner Norm Schneider will go into "semi" retirement and will be available after the sale to help maintain the business.
 
Posted by Mike Spaeth (Member # 524) on 06-02-2005, 04:45 PM:
 
Would that be the same Norm Schneider that owns MnM Theatres?
 
Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 06-02-2005, 07:26 PM:
 
quote: Richard Fowler
Scott and a group of investors are purchasing the company over a two year period so as to learn the business and deal with established clients.
Well, I can see that its time to stop dealing with Smart then.... I refuse to deal with anything that guy is associated with and I also have customers that dispise him. Hopefully the Panastereo contract will be up then and Ray Derrick can set up his own U.S. distribution. If not then so much for Panastereo.

Mark
 
Posted by Don Furr (Member # 1469) on 06-02-2005, 09:23 PM:
 
Mike,
No, not the same Norm.

Don
 
Posted by John Walsh (Member # 168) on 06-02-2005, 10:15 PM:
 
I wonder what will happen when Smart's established clients find out one of the people that 'made' the company are no longer there.

Let's not forget, though, that the economy is generally bad, and the exhibition industry is worse. I'm sorry to predict that there will be more people let go.
 
Posted by Justin West (Member # 920) on 06-02-2005, 11:38 PM:
 
Yeah, just what will the various assistant moderators do if Film-Tech suffers the same troubles in the industry...and they are laid-off??? [Smile] I guess Brad will be runnin the show alone?

BTW, I, too, am sorry to hear about your fate, Oscar...and I can reiterate what others have said about your attention and commitment to the customer!
 
Posted by Tim Reed (Member # 137) on 06-03-2005, 01:21 AM:
 
quote: Gordon McLeod
While no one is unreplaceable
Oh, not at all. I was. [Big Grin]
quote: Jason Black
I heard some time ago about Scott Meader buying into,or taking over SMART
Who the heck is Scott Meader, and why does that name sound familiar?
 
Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 06-03-2005, 01:51 PM:
 
Tim,
I have two locations here that he sold and installed... both of those customers would just as soon tar and feather him if he showed up in SLC......

Mark
 
Posted by Richard Fowler (Member # 893) on 06-03-2005, 06:46 PM:
 
Tim....Marquee Services who has serviced Carmike....one of his partners has taken over the service / sales company so Scott can concentrate on Smart.
 
Posted by Tim Reed (Member # 137) on 06-03-2005, 08:56 PM:
 
Okay. Thanks, guys. At any rate, they were fools for letting Oscar go. He WAS Smart, far as I'm concerned. There was no one else.
 
Posted by Jason Black (Member # 684) on 06-03-2005, 09:16 PM:
 
Tim,

Richard is correct. I don't think there is anything that Scott hasn't done, including, but not limited to, installing SMART devices for in Russia and being interrogated by the KGB.

Scott did the install at my old theatre, and I've worked on at least two installs with his crew.. Shane (Big Mac) and brother in law, Mike. His wife's folks own, or owned, a house in Garden City (down the road from Myrtle Beach), so he wound up getting the install at the Broadway.

For anyone who knows Scott, I don't think any further comment is necessary.
 
Posted by Richard Fowler (Member # 893) on 06-04-2005, 12:41 PM:
 
Smart is also moving to a new location 70 miles from Atlanta since their area has become too built up and expensive. This is not unusual....Ultra-Stereo, Component Engineering, ICECO have all had moves in the past few years.
 
Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 06-04-2005, 02:35 PM:
 
quote: Richard Fowler
This is not unusual....Ultra-Stereo, Component Engineering, ICECO have all had moves in the past few years.
Well, USL moved to much nicer area of CA., Component Engineering has their own building instead of renting, and ICECO is still in one of the MOST dangerous areas of the U.S..... donno what went wrong there....... labor there is cheapest I guess......

Mark
 
Posted by Richard Fowler (Member # 893) on 06-04-2005, 02:50 PM:
 
I must like danger [Big Grin] since I live in Miamiville [Wink] We have our attack dog - Nino - our 5 pound half mutt / half chihuahua to protect us in the office....he just got his adult teeth and he knows how to use them [evil]
Ray Derrick will supervise future product development at Smart.
The pending move will affect other employee's decision to commute to the new location.
The latest is that Scott Meader agreement has been dissolved per a recent e-mail....so people do read the forum.
 
Posted by Scott R. Meader (Member # 2089) on 06-04-2005, 03:43 PM:
 
Hello Oscar, how is the job search doing??
 
Posted by Mark Ogden (Member # 43) on 06-04-2005, 05:49 PM:
 
quote: Scott R. Meader
Hello Oscar, how is the job search doing??
You know, it's funny, I was just about to log in and say: "Whoever this guy Scott is, he couldn't be THAT big a schmuck".
 
Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 06-04-2005, 07:31 PM:
 
quote: Richard Fowler
Ray Derrick will supervise future product development at Smart.
The pending move will affect other employee's decision to commute to the new location.
The latest is that Scott Meader agreement has been dissolved per a recent e-mail....so people do read the forum.
I seriously doubt that Ray has much time to do "other" design work other than what he is already involved with which is considerable. Moving the factory 70 miles would certainly already be de-railing the operation to a large extent... I doubt that many of the employees at Smart have the where withall to move there either and a 150 mile commute would be rediclous. Moving the factory to a less expensive location near the present one makes more sense... other wise you might as well shut the whole thing down and move it to Taiwan amd operate from there, its closer to Ray anyway.

What ever Smart and Norm end up doing I certainly hope consideration of the Smart employees comes first and their dealers second. But with Oscars termination as it was that aspect certainly looks dismal. The better situation would be for Scott and his cronies to own the company and have Oscar run it... he's the only other one that really could.

Mark
 
Posted by Jason Black (Member # 684) on 06-05-2005, 12:16 PM:
 
Never under estimate the powers of those unknown..

Not knowing the exact circumstances, I'd dare say that even Scott, himself, isn't a big enough prick to come on and post such a comment. For some reason or another tho, Loganville, GA rings a bell when associated with his name..



quote: Mark Ogden
You know, it's funny, I was just about to log in and say: "Whoever this guy Scott is, he couldn't be THAT big a schmuck".

 
Posted by Richard Fowler (Member # 893) on 06-05-2005, 03:54 PM:
 
The current plan is for Smart to convert to a ESOP type of Corporation....in other words, Employee Stock Option Plan situation.
Norm is 68 years old and he wants to make sure that Smart will still be around if he doesn't last to his 120th birthday [beer] via employee stockholders. People familiar with Atlanta will know that the move will be easy for many of the employees due to the commute time and location of the present facility.

Scott has been around a long time dealing with some tough customers so he probably has brothered some people....I can only judge from the few dealings I have had with him....which was a rapid followup with questions answered.
 
Posted by Louis Bornwasser (Member # 3063) on 06-07-2005, 08:17 PM:
 
OK folks, it's time for us to find a fortunate company that will be lucky enough to have Oscar. This is not hard....just think of a money-making company that has poor service in the Southeast, with nice bosses. Come on....there is surely ONE!!! Isn' there. We don't need Oscar to jump to another industry.

Louis (Don't say "Delta!" We need a company that will be there INTACT.)
 
Posted by Richard Fowler (Member # 893) on 07-31-2005, 09:35 PM:
 
New developments from Smart.......(1) They are moving to Hollywood [Cool] ....Georgia to a new factory 70 miles North of their present facility. (2) Smart has purchased 100% of Panalogic of Australia and is moving all production to the USA. (3) Ray Derrick, founder of Panalogic, is now chief engineer for both companies. Details at www.smartdev.com
 
Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 07-31-2005, 10:23 PM:
 
Boy now thats a teenie building compared to what they are in now. Perhaps even smaller than the old Norcross place. Doesn't look like they'll be doing much manufacturing there all farmed out now I suppose. The nice thing though is that they can sit on the front porch in their rocking chairs during break and enjoy the view....... and sip that fresh apple cider. It definately reminds me of one of those Apple Cider(or moonshine)places you see when driving down a country road..... Smart Devices and Cider Co.

Mark
 
Posted by Richard Fowler (Member # 893) on 07-31-2005, 10:35 PM:
 
Most boards are now surface mount technology which is farmed out to military grade board houses. UltraStereo facility is about the same size less the second floor conference and engineering test area....besides there is room to grow which is not an option at the existing facilty. The market value of the old site easily pays for the relocation. Alway room for a gift shop and some Smart swag to sell [Big Grin]
 
Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 08-04-2005, 03:49 PM:
 
Hummm Richard,
I just got the below message from another Film-Techer a few minuites ago concerning the Scott Meader thing.... Whatda know about it?

"That deal fell through some time ago"

Mark
 
Posted by Richard Fowler (Member # 893) on 08-04-2005, 04:02 PM:
 
In early June the deal with Scott imploded.....Things have come a long way since the days of a room with several ladies stuffing boards and running them through a wave soldering machine in the same space [Wink] .
 
Posted by Jason Black (Member # 684) on 08-04-2005, 08:37 PM:
 
Richard,
That's funny.. Scott emailed me and indicate dthat the deal was on and everything was moving forward...

As normal... believe half of what you hear and possibly NONE of what you see...
 
Posted by William Hooper (Member # 71) on 08-05-2005, 01:04 AM:
 
"Believe half of what you see, and none of what you hear."
-- "I Heard It Through The Grapevine", by Marvin Gaye (simultaneous boiling hot version released by Gladys Knight & the Pips)
 




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