Why releases have been slow recently...

[Leon]

There have been a few threads and posts on the Forum recently about our releases having slowed down over the past 12-18 months, so I wanted to pop something up to explain a little.  In previous years (2011/12/13) we'd normally managed around 200 new releases, all in handy monthly batches, so there was always something new to look at.  2014 had 117 new releases, so a little over half our usual output, and these were released in batches of products for a single range/war.  We did also add a lot more third-party products through 2014, like the excellent Total Battle Miniatures stuff, Escenografia buildings and plastic aircraft kits, so there was still a steady stream of new shiny stuff.

Now we tend not to mention personal stuff in relation to the business, as it's not something I'm a fan of doing really.  The only reason I'm going to mention it now is because the situation has been resolved and we can look forward to getting things back on track.  (You're all sitting on the edge of your seat now aren't you, awaiting some huge revelation like Dave's arms fell off, or Leon's clone army spontaneously combusted...!)  

The issue has been that Dave's father was diagnosed with dementia a couple of years ago.  Dave and his brother took on most of the care duties, basically making sure he was eating/dressed/had everything he needed, and as anyone who's dealt with dementia will be aware, this can be a very difficult undertaking at the best of times.  

For those who weren't aware, Dave still works a full-time day job as a college lecturer, so he goes and does the 9-to-5 day job and then comes down to Pendraken to work a 6-11pm shift.  With his father requiring care, that meant that four days per week he was going straight there from work to make sure his dad was OK, and by the time he got to Pendraken HQ there wasn't usually much time left and it was all spent casting.

Making a mould requires around 3 hours, as you need to pre-heat the mould, pop the figures in, cook it for 90 minutes, then feed/vent it before it cools.  Where he had been able to do 1 mould per weeknight and 2 on weekend days, this was now reduced to only 3 during the week and 1 on each weekend day.  Of course if we were away at a show this was reduced even further.

At the same time as his available work time was reduced, our contract casting business picked up hugely, so we suddenly had 4-5x as many moulds needing making for other companies.  Unfortunately for Pendraken, these companies' moulds had to take priority as they were paying customers, so we ended up putting a lot of new Pendraken stuff on the backburner.

Back in the autumn, Dave's father had a bad fall and after many consultations the medical people finally said that he needed to be put into a care home instead.  He moved into the home back in November, so Dave and his brother have been spending the past couple of months getting his old house sorted and ready to be sold.

And that brings us finally to the good news.  With his father happy in his care home and his old house just about sorted, Dave's time is freed up somewhat and we can start to get back to a normal moulding routine around here again.  We do still have a lot of contract work coming in, but we're not taking on any new customers until we can clear some of the backlog we've got here on the Pendraken front.  And Dave's still working the day job, so it's not quite full steam ahead, but we are moving in a positive direction now.

It's also worth mentioning that we've got a great team of casters here who are flying through the orders at a great rate of knots.  This means that my own casting time is greatly reduced and I can focus on getting new moulds sorted and figures ready for release instead.

Thanks for reading and apologies for the long post.  It's been a tough slog behind the scenes, for Dave especially, but we're looking forward to getting some new shiny goodies released very soon!

[Duke Speedy of Leighton]

Glad you guys are okay.

Not many companies, especially family run affairs, would be able to cope under that extra pressure. Brave of you to share. Hope all settled soon.
Thank you for the great product and service.

[Steve J]

Thanks for the update Leon. Good to know that Dave's Dad is settled now, but can empathise as my late Mum had severe dementia.

[Bodvoc]

Many thanks for the update and it's good to know that things are more settled now. I also have to say that my recent order came in record time so I am a happy bunny!

[Techno]

Empathise with that too, Leon. Have a nasty feeling Mrs Techno's Mum is going that way.

Cheers - Phil

[Kiwidave]

Family comes first. Always.

And thanks for the update - it just confirms (again) what a splendid company Pendraken are

[old smokie]

totally empathize with you Leon, its hard work dealing with a person with dementia my father also has dementia 

[Ithoriel]

Sorry to hear about Dave's dad, hope the new arrangements make it easier for all concerned.

Personally, I've always been impressed with the quality and diversity of the ranges you produce. I think my bank balance is grateful you haven't produced any more  figures than you actually have

[Leman]

Good to hear you are happier about the situation now. All the best for the future.

[barbarian]

Than you for the update.

[Hertsblue]

As always, I'm amazed at the hours you folks put in. That's a hefty chunk of time Dave spends in the working environment and I don't suppose that Leon does any less. Good luck to you all for the future.

[toxicpixie]

That's a lot to deal with, and a lot of hard work put in

I hadn't noticed the lower releases (I can't buy everything, so not every period grips me ), but I did wonder at the production queue that lets seemingly finished ranges (like the Gauls) come up done and dusted and ready to go, then... nothing. And then the Spanish slip out, and the XXX, and I wonder what ever happened to...

[paulr]

Well that certainly puts our minor grumbles into perspective, just the hours Dave was putting in, let alone the challenges with his dad

Both my parents suffered from dementia so I definitely empathize, good to hear the way forward looks brighter

[fsn]

So does that mean the British Napoleonics will be out soon?

I think you just need to read this forum to see how much we (the bits in the Pendraken spotted dick) appreciate what you and your band do to assuage the ever rapacious maw of your customer base. My own experience is that orders have been coming as fast and slick as ever, and I would give your customer satisfaction a very high score. I also echo the sentiments of those above who say that family must come first.

Hoping that you have a better work/life balance in 2015.

Regards to Dave.

   

[ronan]

Take care of yourselves too, guys !