On Fri, 31 Oct 2003 04:29:47 GMT, the renowned "Kent Frazier"
wrote:

It has been my expeince that everything Emerson touches turns to crap. Buy
it, milk the reputation of the brand while degrading the quality, sell it
when the consumer catches on that the brand is crap.
Kent

Singer did that. A little known Canadian-based public company,
reportedly funded from mainland China investors, bought it (relatively
cheaply, considering their globally known brand name and distribution)
and used it as a conduit for all sorts of "stuff". They reorganized
recently and it's now (as of 1999) incorporated in the Netherlands
Antilles.

From their web page:

"Capitalizing on its now famous name, its hire-purchase plan, and its
vast network of retail outlets and other distribution points around
the world, Singer introduced electronics, appliances, furniture, and
other consumer durables, into its product line. Today, Singer is a
household name for a wide range of consumer products for the home. "

And from their annual report:

Research and Development
Research and development expenses are incurred largely at Singer’s
manufacturing facilities in Brazil and China. The amount spent on
research and development in the three-month and six-month periods
ended June 30, 2003 and 2002 was not material.

Kind of warms the cockles of your heart, don't it?

Best regards,
Spehro Pefhany
--
"it's the network..." "The Journey is the reward"
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