Heard a rumor that AK Bushwheel has been sold and the new owners are moving it to Alaska...Better buy them now..Prices will surely go up as it will cost more to get raw product to Alaska than it has been in Oregon. Plus shipping costs will increase..

I heard the same rumor?

I also herd that...

Who did the deed? Running a manufacturing business in Alaska is costly I would predict? Oregon has lowest COL of any place I have been except Mumbai, India. I love Oregon for that!

Well if Wup and Bill are selling the business maybe they can spill the beans on the tire manufacturing process and someone can start Oregon Bushwheel.

They may of signed a nondisclosure agreement. Dang, I really liked the way it was here!

Made in China

Just a matter of time. $10 a tire, just like a Lycoming crank instead of $2000.

Glidergeek wrote:Made in China

That's horrifying, but it makes a little sense unfortunately.

Private and GA aviation is growing exponentially in China, and there is probably an awful lot of no-infrastructure back country wilderness where bush planes would make a difference. I'm sure they already have the big AN-2 clone biplanes and Mil clone helicopters, but 180 and Cub type bushplanes would be as cost-effective and useful there as they are in our wilderness. Enabling themselves to mass produce big tires for GA airplanes, might open up a lot of transportation and rural services as it does here.

Twice-Cooked Bushwheel with STOL sauce could be pretty useful to them. Buying Wup's molds and approvals and process knowledge would speed them up considerably.

I'd still be sickened if that's what happened.

Chineese folks own Continental, Cirrus ...

They produced 19,000,000 (2012) automobiles, more than Japan, US, together and half of Germany. 300% increase in about 5 years.

EDOs are made in China too, for a song.

When I picked up my new gear and 31s this spring, Wup mentioned that there was some interest from some of the major tire manufacturers. I don't think anyone can maintain the type and level of service that was given to me during this transaction.
Sad to see if that is the case.

The service from ABI, makes flying fun! No hassles!

Where are we going to get our peanuts and hot sauce?

Just tried to order a set of new Cleveland wheels and they have none! Not even in the coming future Nicole said. Maybe in a month or two...

Also asked the question about moving and she said yep. As of Jan 1st they will be in Alaska.

AKT

I wish the new management great success! Great products! Hope they don't change the web site to much.

Doesn't make much sense to me for a major tire company nor a Chinese company to move the business to Alaska, these companies would want to be near manufacturing and shipping hubs I'd think.

If the bulk of their customers are in Alaska, and I would think that might be the case, then I could see moving the business there to better serve that customer base, especially if the new owners also live in Alaska.

I will be amazingly and enthusiastically surprised if the customer service doesn't degrade with the new ownership. Alaskan Bushwheel's customer service is without a doubt the best I've ever encountered from any business in any industry ever.

I certainly wish everyone associated with the company great success.

Barnstormer wrote:Alaskan Bushwheel's customer service is without a doubt the best I've ever encountered from any business in any industry ever.

I don't think I've ever heard anything to the contrary, ever. Pretty good legacy for a company.

Looking at the way the Lower 48 is headed, I would be headed for AK if I could...........

Must be a gag order or no compete clause in force, usually by now Wup would have posted!!

Interesting....my timing is perfect, I just ordered an entire case of the hot sauce last week! I have it on good authority it comes out of Texas, having it shipped to AK and then back down to Idaho would be crazy, and no doubt result in a price increase. 3 bucks a bottle, the current price, is a good price for the product. I'm hooked on both the tires and the sauce, but the tires last longer.