[Leica] Leica Financials - M8 saves the day.

[charlie at droolassicpark.com (Charlie Meyer)]

Oh, joy! Even with my 1935-1955 kit, it took vigilance to keep China  
and India out of my bag.  (Don sells N.O.S. Leitz lens cleaning paper  
for $1 a packet.) Long gone are the days where Leitz/Leica not only  
made most of their own parts..but also the machines that made them;  
First World design and craftsmanship is why Leica commands the  
princely prices and enjoys the continuing value it has.  In response  
to Gandy's cheap Chinese half cases (no Buddah ear option), Luigi  
introduced inexpensive half-cases made in Italy.  Not the art work of  
his traditional lines, but still well made in Europe. I do hope that  
Leica keeps manufacture in the First World. An 'offshored' Third  
World build Leica sounds just as bad as a Guangdong Porsche....or the  
woman calling the other week from Bangalore telling me her name was  
'Jack, J-A-C-K, calling from provider office'.

At least the Europe is beginning to address the perils of  
globalization.  Maybe the anti-globalization protesters weren't all  
anarchists and slackers after all...they were just smart enough to  
get to the barricades first.

Charlie


On Dec 2, 2007, at 10:45 AM, Nathan Wajsman wrote:
>  and restructuring (I assume the latter means moving manufacturing  
> out of Germany to the extent this has not already been done).
>
> Nathan