Horton about to close?

[XX78]

I heard that because of the current economic conditions horton has really downsized and may be in jeopardy of closing. Including the Pres and VP they have like 6 people still at the company. Another sign of the times I guess.

If this is true I wonder how warranty service will be handled?

[corey]

i would think with PA and MI (and a few other states) about to permit x-bow hunting that they should be in a good market for them. 10s of 1000s of crossbows are going to be purchased in the next year.

If they're closing, it likely has more to do with a poorly run company.

[HeartLunger]

Horton makes a lot of parts for other bow companies including cams and idlers. I doubt they are having too much trouble.

[XX78]

My source just got layed off from there.

[dnm]

If you have a source why are you asking us then? I would think he would know more than any of us?

[birdchaser]

I was in Horton back in springtime and they were telling me they sell approximatly 50,000 x- bows a year all over the world.
I heard from someone that they may be moving to China.
They were outsourcing some of their work to other machine shops which is not uncommon especially when making parts for that many x-bows. So if they do move or close that means other jobs will be effected other then their direct employees. I haven't heard "closing" from a reliable source.....but that seems to be what I been hearing.
Manufacturing of all means is dieing in the US.

Times are tough.....

[XX78]

If you have a source why are you asking us then? I would think he would know more than any of us?

Wow easy there pumpkin, I was just wondering if there was more information someone else could add. Obviously you aren't that person, so do me a favor and refrain from contributing any more to this thread. ja

[coonskinner]

hope this jus isnt a rumor from a disgruntled employee...:D

[dnm]

Whoa relax there. I wasnt being a smart ass, I was being serious. If you know someone that works there I would figure that wouldve been the best source of info. Not starting crap :)

[coonskinner]

Whoa relax there. I wasnt being a smart ass, I was being serious. If you know someone that works there I would figure that wouldve been the best source of info. Not starting crap :)

not always...i hate seein people losing their jobs so i'm hopin all this is just a vicious rumor...or just a rumor...:D

[RunsWithDeer]

A lot of companies are laying off due to the economy, doesn't mean they are going to close. The company I work for has laid off several thousand, and we are not close to closing.
I found nothing about Horton in searching the net regarding going out of business. Just that they did issue their WARN notice in regards to a lay off.

[RunsWithDeer]

i would think with PA and MI (and a few other states) about to permit x-bow hunting that they should be in a good market for them. 10s of 1000s of crossbows are going to be purchased in the next year.

If they're closing, it likely has more to do with a poorly run company.

The following editorial appeared in the December 24, 2008 edition of the Detroit News. Speculation on the proposal to allow xbows in Michigan.

http://www.detroitnews.com/apps/pbcs...812240306/1008 (http://www.detroitnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081224/OPINION01/812240306/1008)

Expand crossbow hunting to aid Michigan's economy

Proposal would boost DNR's coffers, copy Ohio's success

Lydia Lohrer-Bevier and Patrick W.C. Bevier

The use of crossbows is at the center of a conservation conundrum that has pitted hunter against hunter. But Michigan should expand crossbow hunting -- in part to increase revenues for the state's underfunded conservation and resource programs.

Michigan only allows use of crossbows in hunting for those with disabilities. The issue of permitting crossbow hunting is on the Natural Resources Commission's agenda for early next year.

Since the passage of Proposal G in 1996, the NRC has exclusive authority to regulate methods of taking game; decisions must be scientifically based, not made in the heat of emotions or to serve special interests.

However, the NRC is taking public input, and the topic is flying through chat rooms with arrow speed. Proponents say crossbow hunting would attract more hunters to participate in taking hormone-free meat. This would certainly add to the revenues of the under-funded Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

Michigan is at the bottom of a cesspool when spending on our natural resources. Michigan's General Fund appropriation is $2.50 per resident on behalf of our natural resources. Meanwhile, we spend $11.67 per resident for our Legislature and a remarkable $187 for our prison system.Yet we have the largest state forest system in the nation. In addition, the Great Lakes supply four out of seven U.S. citizens and one in three Canadians with their water.

The natural resources coffers are dwindling because hunter and angler numbers are down. The purchase of hunting and fishing licenses pays for 95 percent of the state's natural resources budget.

There is little awareness that hunters and anglers are the nation's original conservationists, and they put their money where their mouth is. This ranges from upkeep of state parks and birding areas to research regarding invasive species. Thanks in large part to an increase in "electronic recreation" and the efforts of anti-hunting advocates, significantly fewer hunting and fishing licenses are being purchased.

Those opposing crossbow hunting list a variety of reasons. Vertical bow hunters fear that crossbow hunters will encroach on their territory and decrease their chance of success. It is tougher to take a deer with a vertical bow, and adding new hunters to the equation doesn't promise to make it easier.

Other detractors include those who simply resist change, anti-hunting proponents and people who fear that crossbows will put a large dent in the deer herd.

This is unlikely. Final numbers aren't in, but according to recent reports, hunters have culled less from our 1.7 million deer this year than they did last year. This results in less meat for soup kitchens, and means more car-deer crashes.

"Car-deer crashes in Michigan cause at least $130 million in damage annually," Michigan Deer Crash Coalition Chair Jack Peet said in a recent press release. Michigan had more than 61,000 such crashes, up from the previous year. Obviously we have a few deer to spare for potential crossbow hunting.

If we want to keep Michigan green, we can't afford to reject another potential source of revenue. If more than two decades of crossbow hunting success in Ohio (where it has added millions of dollars to the economy) is an indication, expanding this option is certain to add hunters to our ranks, as well as boost the needy coffers of the DNR.

Challengers to the use of this ancient and effective method of managing our deer herd aren't thinking clearly or in terms of our resources.

[Thunderflight]

I'd bet the OBA would be happy if Horton went under.

[Buckmaster]

From my internal sources it was mentioned that Horton has subcontracted their production to facilities in China. There is no plan on going out of business; only movement of production.

[jackalope]

American Power pull, a company with America in their name and headquartered here in Ohio with a big American flag and eagle on their box.... Their cable wench is made in China.

[coonskinner]

if horton goes under i wonder about the other companies...:D

[geezer II]

if horton goes under i wonder about the other companies...:D

They gettin a bail out from the OBA :whistle: :mischeif:

[Wildman18]

I think its silly that Michigan can't use crossbows. It's a nice stepping stone for young hunters I know it was for me. I started with an old wammo crossbow.( I shot down and it went up HaHa) I've hunted with horton for alot of years. At least the years that I didn't have time to practice the recurve and this year I'm working on my recurve skills. I would also argue about the difficulty of crossbows to compound bows at least the 80% let offs. Its almost as hard to hold up the crossbow as it is to hold back an 80% let off bow, but that's a hole other thread.




GO BUCKEYES!!!!!!!!!

[coonskinner]

[QUOTE=Wildman18;305447]I think its silly that Michigan can't use crossbows. It's a nice stepping stone for young hunters I know it was for me. I started with an old wammo crossbow.( I shot down and it went up HaHa) I've hunted with horton for alot of years. At least the years that I didn't have time to practice the recurve and this year I'm working on my recurve skills. I would also argue about the difficulty of crossbows to compound bows at least the 80% let offs. Its almost as hard to hold up the crossbow as it is to hold back an 80% let off bow, but that's a hole other thread.

wendy learned tuh shoot a cp in just about 1 hr,this is includin tryin a few bows and setting up the one she bought from them...all the credit to the "buckeye outdoors" archery staff...:D

[Wildman18]

You left out the most important part or my post. GO BUCKEYES

I agree but at 10 the cross bow was a good starting tool from there you have a natural move to compound bows. You should have that option if you want it. That was my point.

[OhioTodd]

Sounds to me if Horton is indeed contemplating moving there production to China, then we all need to stop buying Horton products--if indeed this happens. I know I won't buy anything with the name Rocky on it anymore.

[bowtech777]

I think you should be able to shoot whatever you are comfortable with and most effective with without the fear of being condemned or ridiculed and put as a lower class of bow hunter because you do not use traditional gear.

all this bickering and fighting and creating social level classes among ourselves will eventually cause us to loose the sport we all love and cherish so much.:irked:

In the same respect a compound hunter or crossbow hunter could say something on the line of " the only people who use traditional gear are old farts that cant handle the weight of the new grear and are not good enough shots to be able to keep the arrows in the bullseye because of the high speeds and draw weights and the brace height distance that magnifies your mistakes makes it too difficult for them to be good shots with the new gear, that or they are just too old and set in their ways and hard headed and stubborn to change or accept the fact they cant handle the new gear"

Its not true, but it doesnt help anything either.:coco:

A house divided will not stand.:rant:

We have to stick together or we stand to loose the sport we love and cherish so much.

All archery gear has its limitations and is a close range weapon.
lets not let some wheels/cams or whether it horizontal or vertical seperate us and cause us to loose our sport and cause job loses due to stubborness and selfishness.

We are all brothers of the bow, lets act like it and support each other no matter what equipment we use.:bouncy:

the antis love us to divide against ourselves and decrease any support numbers that can be used to defend our sport and cause them a loss.:nono:

WHAT DOES IT MATTER IF I USE A COMPOUND OR A CROSSBOW OR A LONG BOW ???

WHAT DOES IT MATTER ???
AND WHO DOES IT MATTER TO ???
AND WHY DOES IT MATTER SO MUCH ????

ARE YOU REASONS LEGITIMATE AND BACKED BY FACTS ???
IS IT PERSONAL OR IS IT FOR THE GOOD OF CONSERVATION ???
IS IT A PERSONAL PREFERANCE THAT YOU FEEL YOU MUST FORCE ON OTHERS ??? KIND OF LIKE FORCING RELIGION ON SOMEONE BY BEATING THEM OVER THE HEAD WITH A BIBLE.
IS IT MORE OF A SELFISH REASON THAN FOR THE GOOD OF ALL OR VICE VERSA ???

DOES IT REALLY DIRECTLY AFFECT YOU AND IN WHAT WAY ???:irked:

IS IT SOMETHING THAT REALLY DOESNT MAKE A DIFFERENCE EITHER WAY, AND YOU ARE JUST BEING STUBORN AND CREATING A PROBLEM WHERE THERE REALLY ISNT A PROBLEM ???

DONT CREAT A FIGHT WHERE THERE SHOULDNT BE ONE.

THIS COMPOUND VS CROSSBOW VS LONGBOW( TRADITIONAL BOW) IS REALLY BECOMING SOMETHING PETTY AND NIT PICKY AND STARTING TO SOUND A LITTLE SELFISHLY CHILDISH.

AND THE WORST THING IS IT DIVIDES US AND THE ANTIS SIT BACK AND LAUGH AT US.

KEEP IT UP AND WE ALL WILL LOOSE.::rant:

As far as the China thing, If they move to China then so be it, we still have to support our brothers and sisters in whatever choice they makes in the gear they use.
Unless we start creating companies here in the USA that makes this stuff, we wont have a choice of what to buy, it will ALL be made over seas.

[OhioTodd]

777 this has nothing to do with supporting what our fellow hunters use. I'm just saying BUY AMERICAN. If people would make an effort to buy American made products then maybe we would see more factories opened up here in the U.S. As long as we as consumers allow companies such as Rocky to move overseas with the production of their products we will continue to lose more and more jobs.

[bowtech777]

OhioTodd,

I agree with you, but what I am saying is.
The states that DO NOT allow crossbows have to change their way of thinking.
I am not a crossbow hunter, I use a compound and only because I started bow hunting in a state that did not allow crossbows.

If the states that do not allow crossbows or the states that only allow crosbbows to those who are disabled , would allow them to all hunters there would be more business than Horton or tenpoint etc, could handle.

but as long as we dont support the crossbow hunters and let them fight their fights alone and sometimes even go against them in legislation, we will see this more and more.

There has to be the demand for their product or they will not survive.

There is a ceiling on a product no matter what it is, you will have a surge of sales at first then all the people who are gonna buy are done buying there is a drop off with little sales afterwards ( not enough to continually sustain a company)when the revenue is not coming in there has to be cutbacks and it comes in the form of layoffs or getting cheaper labor overseas to be able to stay in business, the best way to combat that is open other states up to Crossbows and generate NEW crossbow users and sales will skyrocket helping to keep jobs here.

As long as the demand is there and the revenue is there and they are making a profit they will more than likely stay in the USA unless the owners are just greedy and want to lower overhead to create a larger profit margin for themselves so they move overseas, then you stop buying their product all togehter. ( like Rocky).

It all starts with supporting each other and then GOOD things happen all across the board :bouncy:

[coonskinner]

todd what brand of boots do you buy...i doan know any that doesnt have some of their boots made in china...much of rockies boots are made in puerto rico...an as for boot companies how many gave millions of dollars to the local high school for education an sports...:whistle: :rolleyes: :D ...i do not own a pr. of rocky boots but i wouldnt use your reasing not tuh buy a pr...these days its hard tuh not buy anythang not made in china,,,am i ain payin 400$ for a pr. of boots...my las pr. of boots have beem...itachia,wooverine(3 pr.),coleman,lagrange(3 pr.) an wendy jus bought a pr. of lagramge burly an columbia...all made in china...every pr. i checked out including danner i checked out in gander mountain an a couple other stores were made in china...tell me youre boot type thats made here an if the price is around 100$,an the boots will last an not leak...i'll be sure tuh make em my next boot...:biggrin:i too do not like the fact all our companied are moving to china and i do hope this is only an ugly roomer thats bein spreaded here...

[OhioTodd]

If telling people to look for the made in the USA label isn't reason enough, then I can't help ya. I perfer buying my made in USA Danners because 1. I know the people making the product are being paid a fair wadge 2. I'm supporting AMERICAN jobs 3. They tend to be of better quality 4. the company at least gives the consumer the option of buying an American made product. Do ya need more. Can't beleive I'm having to give reasons as to why we should buy American made products.

[BuckEyeCam]

I agree - everyone should buy American made products......

Stop by our shop some time and we will show you how we make our products at a time. Cameras, testers, no matter, we will show you....
You can meet the guys that build them, the guys that engineer them, and the guys/gals that sell them....

We are pretty old school, for a high tech product......

We answer the phones when you call - you can actually speak with someone
We make them one at a time
We designed them in house
We test them one at a time
We stand behind everything we make

[coonskinner]

777 this has nothing to do with supporting what our fellow hunters use. I'm just saying BUY AMERICAN. If people would make an effort to buy American made products then maybe we would see more factories opened up here in the U.S. As long as we as consumers allow companies such as Rocky to move overseas with the production of their products we will continue to lose more and more jobs.todd todays companies are only interested in the cheap labor,thats why they move...theyre not lowering their prices on there products after movin overseas...they sell for the same price but gotta deal with unions,higher salarys an boots that sell for the same whether made here or there...:biggrin:

[mullskinner]

todd todays companies are only interested in the cheap labor,thats why they move...theyre not lowering their prices on there products after movin overseas...they sell for the same price but gotta deal with unions,higher salarys an boots that sell for the same whether made here or there...:biggrin:

i heard some hospitals are hiring mexican grounds keepers for half the price of regular employee's ...:(

time tuh make a stand !!:bouncy: :bouncy: :coolgleamA:

[OhioTodd]

Well Coonie then you buy made in China products and I'll buy American....done deal.

[coonskinner]

danner does have boots made in china...if you want american made check out russel...sorry but i ain payin that much for a pr. of boots...you can buy a matthews bow all set up...as for rocky boots i doan buy them for very personal reasons,,,i do buy what places like cabelas has...i had a lot of friends that made boots at rockies...an got the ax...but i give rocky credit for givin a couple mill to the nelsonville york schools...:D