Just read this on Vic's FB page.

[borgwarrior]

Victorinox joins forces and integrates Wenger knife business.

Eight years ago, the family-owned Swiss company Victorinox took over the long-established company Wenger, headquartered in Delémont, and has since managed it as a standalone subsidiary. Now Victorinox will integrate Wenger's knife business. This move eliminates duplication in the product range, responds to increased market demand and strengthens its competitive position internationally. In the future, Victorinox knives will also be made in Delemont and all employees will keep their jobs.

Wonder what impact will this have on the SAKs themselves...

[Dunc]

I just read this too. There's lots of questions that want answering , will they drop the Wenger name ? , what models will be discontinued ? and will we see some Wenger features appearing on Vic knives ?   Exciting move forward or the death of the Wenger name ?

[dks]

Victorinox joins forces and integrates Wenger knife business.

Eight years ago, the family-owned Swiss company Victorinox took over the long-established company Wenger, headquartered in Delémont, and has since managed it as a standalone subsidiary. Now Victorinox will integrate Wenger's knife business. This move eliminates duplication in the product range, responds to increased market demand and strengthens its competitive position internationally. In the future, Victorinox knives will also be made in Delemont and all employees will keep their jobs.

Wonder what impact will this have on the SAKs themselves...

Well I assume this will lead to the stopage of similar products by wenger and victorinox..
shame.

I assume by knife business they mean SAKs

[Dunc]

I've just read this from http://www.20min.ch/ro/news/monde/story/Victorinox-int-gre-Wenger-et-reste---Del-mont-30406383

"Many consumers who make almost no difference between Wenger and Victorinox and Wenger global competition is becoming increasingly important. That is why we gather our forces in the field of Swiss Army knives by focusing on the Victorinox brand, "said Wednesday in a statement the boss of Central Switzerland, Carl Elsener.

Only a selection of the range of knives Wenger will be inserted into the collection Victorinox. However, watches and licensed products are still marketed under the brand Jura.

[Dunc]

I've just had this quote posted on facebook

@Duncan Moore Peter Hug, CEO of Wenger: "We regret of course that we will no longer be producing Wenger knives in the future. The concentration of forces will allow the group to grow within the global competitive environment, to enhance the product range and to strengthen the Delémont site in the long term. So we are taking this step from a position of strength."

[Northern Geek]

Soo.. basically no more Wenger knives but some new Wenger ideas inserted into Vic knives?

[AimlessWanderer]

I'm not entirely sure how I feel about this 

Victorinox were more competative pricewise, but Wenger were more eager to innovate. If the 85mm knives are to be rebranded as Vicorinox, it does explain why they didn't want to retool up for 84mm scissors ... so that may suggest the 85mm line remains. However ... the 85mm line has (annoyingly) been moving towards locking blades. This could mean the 85mm go back to slippy or the 91mm ..... nah, surely not 

Is the 111mm line and 130mm line considered an overlap?
74mm vs 65mm?
The only obvious overlap seems to be the 84/85mm lines  or is the 85mm seen as "competition" for the 91mm line?

So ... Wenger locking drivers on Vic knives? Ranger pliers in the 111mm line? I can understand them streamlining their tooling inventory and product line in trying economic times, and it's good to hear that jobs are protected ... but as consumers it means we're possibly going to have a lot less choice as a result.

I wonder if any of the Wenger products will remain at all 

[borgwarrior]

Soo.. basically no more Wenger knives but some new Wenger ideas inserted into Vic knives?

I sincerely hope they won't dump Wenger as a name...Nor the ideas, and the looks. IMHO, the evogrip series and the rangers are waay more sexy as the Vic 91/111mm platform...

[papercut]

Wow.  Get your SIs while you can...

[kkokkolis]

This might prove good for the future of the SAK. Imagine a merge of the best patented tools. On the other hand I wouldn't want to scrap the Ranger, or use the Wenger serrated scissors on a Vic.
For collectors (with enough funds) this might mean new lines and eventually more to collect.

[AimlessWanderer]

I'd hope this does allow the introduction of new product lines rather than just being a consolidation and streamlining exercise. I typed my last reply then read over Dunc's post again which suggests they're keeping the staff and machines at Delemont but dropping the product line 

Actually, with the suggestions that the alox line may be nearing an end in previous threads, the refusal to expand on the 84mm line, and potentially dropping Wenger's catalogue, there is a lot of scope for them to do a lot of new ventures ... if they're so inclined.

Whilst I have no doubt this is good for the company, for the SAK enthusiast this could be very good ... or very bad

[Storky]

Wow.  Get your SIs while you can...

Already ordered another one for keeping NIB!
Aaaah the end of Wenger SAKs 

Markus

[Dunc]

more info http://www.victorinox.com/ch/content/news_page/nc_Victorinox_Wenger-Press?utm_medium=Facebook&utm_campaign=Wenger_Release&utm_source=SocialMedia

[borgwarrior]

An assortment from the Wenger knife collection will be produced going forward under the brand name Victorinox.

Damn... What do you guys think, what will go first? The Evogrips, or the Rangers?

[MARIOS7319]

".. but as consumers it means we're possibly going to have a lot less choice as a result."

I agree with that, it all about the decisions that they will take.
I hope that they will keep the Victorinox lines intact.
Also the info that the Victorinox knives will also be made in Delemont, doesn't sound good for me.
Wenger was always one (very small) step below the Victorinox in quality matters.

[AimlessWanderer]

Many consumers can hardly distinguish between the knife products from Victorinox and Wenger

I'd say the 85mm are the biggest "duplication", and I can't see them keeping all three of the 58mm, 65mm and 74mm lines

[jrp316]

An assortment from the Wenger knife collection will be produced going forward under the brand name Victorinox.

Damn... What do you guys think, what will go first? The Evogrips, or the Rangers?

If I had to guess, probably the Rangers being that they've got a substantial counterpart in the OH Trekker lineup.  In a way, I wish they'd keep the Wenger name alive, if nothing else than in some special edition knives instead of doing away with it entirely. It makes sense from a business point of view, since the knife industry hasn't been doing so hot since 9/11, and integrating it keeps the Wenger name in Switzerland instead of China or wherever else.

[borgwarrior]

Also the info that the Victorinox knives will also be made in Delemont, doesn't sound good for me.

I interpret that as they will only make Wengers in Delemont as always, but they will be branded Vic. I think.

[MARIOS7319]

Also the info that the Victorinox knives will also be made in Delemont, doesn't sound good for me.

I interpret that as they will only make Wengers in Delemont as always, but they will be branded Vic. I think.

I hope you are right.

[Mr. Whippy]

A loss of the Wenger S557 or the Ranger line would be devastating.  Some excellent knives in that lineup.  I dare say the Ranger line is a better heavy duty tool than the Vic 111mm line.

[SparkyXI]

Press Release: http://www.wenger.ch/stuff/contentmgr/files/3/b186728f6bdc99657a8549ff9c65b52b/files/vx_wenger_mediainformation_e_130130.pdf

[AimlessWanderer]

A loss of the Wenger S557 or the Ranger line would be devastating.  Some excellent knives in that lineup.  I dare say the Ranger line is a better heavy duty tool than the Vic 111mm line.

I'd agree on the slimmer models, but the ergos go out the window when pliers are added IMHO - excellent pliers, but the scales are too fat. I'd also add that the 111mm line seems very safe with that being their current military model

[AimlessWanderer]

Bottom line here is that someone on the forum is going to be disappointed ...

58mm - Rambler, Manager, Classic ... all very popular
65mm - Clipper model and my beloved Pocket Tool Chest
74mm - Executive
85mm - Traveller, Evos 14-18, S557
91mm - pretty much everything 
93mm - Farmer, Pioneers
111mm - WorkChamp, Soldier
130mm - New Ranger (those pliers)

... someone is going to be sorry to see something go 






Fingers crossed we'll be happy to see something new arrive too 
Perfect opportunity for a Mini Spirit 

[Mr. Whippy]

I think the Vic 84mm line might disappear and the Wenger 85mm line take its place...

[derekmac]

It's definitely exciting to imagine the good possibilities that can come of this, but unfortunately there will also be changes that will sadden the Vic and Wenger fans, more so the Wenger ones.  It would be sad to lose the name, especially since they'll have all the stamping machines already setup for Wenger.

I foresee eBay getting much busier!

[crackout]

Mhm...maybe I should pick up a Blackout just in case.

[borgwarrior]

Mhm...maybe I should pick up a Blackout just in case.

Aww man, if I had the $ for them...

[papercut]

I think the Vic 84mm line might disappear and the Wenger 85mm line take its place...

Yep, I agree.  Outside of the cadet, what in the 84mm line has any pizazz? The cadet is pretty blah too in its own way too   I can see the Vic combotool being crossed over, and all the 85mm production being in the French side.

My first plus is pretty nice though.

[Wootz]

Press Release: http://www.wenger.ch/stuff/contentmgr/files/3/b186728f6bdc99657a8549ff9c65b52b/files/vx_wenger_mediainformation_e_130130.pdf

The site in Delémont will be maintained. An assortment from the Wenger knife collection will be produced going forward under the brand name Victorinox. Wenger's watch and licensing business will continue. The Wenger branch in the US will be merged with the existing Victorinox headquarters based in Monroe (Connecticut).

One thing is for sure - no more alox  so sad..

[Mr. Whippy]

Press Release: http://www.wenger.ch/stuff/contentmgr/files/3/b186728f6bdc99657a8549ff9c65b52b/files/vx_wenger_mediainformation_e_130130.pdf

The site in Delémont will be maintained. An assortment from the Wenger knife collection will be produced going forward under the brand name Victorinox. Wenger's watch and licensing business will continue. The Wenger branch in the US will be merged with the existing Victorinox headquarters based in Monroe (Connecticut).

One thing is for sure - no more alox  so sad..

No more alox?  Why is that?