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It tells me that Games Workshop head office is coming down to see how they can streamline thier operating costs.
Or, that he is taking over operations in the US because someone currently there is leaving/has left.
They streamlined the operating costs at Glen Burnie a few years ago when they moved the offices, took a smaller area, got rid of non essentials, and things that memphis took over, and put the bunker next to the corporate offices. Doubtful that they would do it again so soon, or that any savings would offset the costs involved and disruption to the business. JMHO though on that.
....and lo!.....The Age of Sigmar came to an end when Saint Veetock and his hamster legions smote the false Sigmar and destroyed the bubbleverse and lead the true believers back to the Old World.
mikhaila wrote:It tells me that Games Workshop head office is coming down to see how they can streamline thier operating costs.
Or, that he is taking over operations in the US because someone currently there is leaving/has left.
They streamlined the operating costs at Glen Burnie a few years ago when they moved the offices, took a smaller area, got rid of non essentials, and things that memphis took over, and put the bunker next to the corporate offices. Doubtful that they would do it again so soon, or that any savings would offset the costs involved and disruption to the business. JMHO though on that.
That is a VERY good possibility, as well. Haven't heard anything about that, but it is a very good possible considering.
I'll stick with the Darth Vader comparison, though.
This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 2010/01/16 03:00:50
At Games Workshop, we believe that how you behave does matter. We believe this so strongly that we have written it down in the Games Workshop Book. There is a section in the book where we talk about the values we expect all staff to demonstrate in their working lives. These values are Lawyers, Guns and Money.
My opinion is mine. YOU haven't retorted anything to Change it. All you did was make some smart guy comments and really are not saying anything in reply to my post.
Not trying to sway your opinion, just pointing out how your descriptions hardly fit reality. Again see Mikhaila's post.
Its Glen Burnie.
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2010/01/16 03:04:29
"Sometimes the only victory possible is to keep your opponent from winning." - The Emperor, from The Outcast Dead.
"Tell your gods we are coming for them, and that their realms will burn as ours did." -Thostos Bladestorm
mikhaila wrote:It tells me that Games Workshop head office is coming down to see how they can streamline thier operating costs.
Or, that he is taking over operations in the US because someone currently there is leaving/has left.
They streamlined the operating costs at Glen Burnie a few years ago when they moved the offices, took a smaller area, got rid of non essentials, and things that memphis took over, and put the bunker next to the corporate offices. Doubtful that they would do it again so soon, or that any savings would offset the costs involved and disruption to the business. JMHO though on that.
That is a VERY good possibility, as well. Haven't heard anything about that, but it is a very good possible considering.
I'll stick with the Darth Vader comparison, though.
Wasn't a guess on my part. But I'll wait until the official annoucement goes out. (Or someone with the internal memo leaks it.)
Kirby took a step upstairs a while ago, and Mark Wells took over most of his day to day duties. It leaves him as a good choice to step into a gap in the US. I expect that they will fill the gap at some point, and Mr. Kirby will head back to the Uk permanently. But it does give him a chance to get a very close look at the US operations, make changes if he wants to, or just go back to the UK with better info.
....and lo!.....The Age of Sigmar came to an end when Saint Veetock and his hamster legions smote the false Sigmar and destroyed the bubbleverse and lead the true believers back to the Old World.
mikhaila wrote:It tells me that Games Workshop head office is coming down to see how they can streamline thier operating costs.
Or, that he is taking over operations in the US because someone currently there is leaving/has left.
They streamlined the operating costs at Glen Burnie a few years ago when they moved the offices, took a smaller area, got rid of non essentials, and things that memphis took over, and put the bunker next to the corporate offices. Doubtful that they would do it again so soon, or that any savings would offset the costs involved and disruption to the business. JMHO though on that.
That is a VERY good possibility, as well. Haven't heard anything about that, but it is a very good possible considering.
I'll stick with the Darth Vader comparison, though.
Wasn't a guess on my part. But I'll wait until the official annoucement goes out. (Or someone with the internal memo leaks it.)
Kirby took a step upstairs a while ago, and Mark Wells took over most of his day to day duties. It leaves him as a good choice to step into a gap in the US. I expect that they will fill the gap at some point, and Mr. Kirby will head back to the Uk permanently. But it does give him a chance to get a very close look at the US operations, make changes if he wants to, or just go back to the UK with better info.
Knowing what I know about him, it wouldn't suprise me in the least.
Thanks for that, though.
I was wondering about something, and I think this is something tasty for me to look into.
This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 2010/01/16 03:48:21
At Games Workshop, we believe that how you behave does matter. We believe this so strongly that we have written it down in the Games Workshop Book. There is a section in the book where we talk about the values we expect all staff to demonstrate in their working lives. These values are Lawyers, Guns and Money.
H.B.M.C. wrote:Hey Russ, on that line of thinking, do you have any idea how Fantasy Flight are doing, as a company. Has Dark Heresy et al. been a boon or a burden to their bottom line?
As a person who lives quite close to FFGHQ and knows quite a few people who work there as developers, editors, etc. the impression that I get from them seem to indicate that they are doing quite well with GW licenses. Afterall, FFG are a company that does listen to their customers and takes feedback seriously when intelligently given.
If Dark Heresy was a flop, you can bet your granny's undies that they wouldnt have bothered with Rogue Trader RPG and the numerous expansions coming out for it.
FFG is doing quite well it seems. Thanks due to license agreements like what they have with GW, not to mention the great customer service that Thaad Powell gives in FFG's name, etc.
I would even go so far as to say that FFG is more capable of handling GW's IP than GW is. I dont say that lightly, but since FFG is an actual GAME company and Games Workshop ironically is a miniatures company, it should be hardly surprising to come to this conclusion.
1) Salaries and related expenses are Games Workshop's biggest expense at over £50m. (It's worth noting £350,000 a year goes to chairman and major shareholder Tom Kirby -- more than CEO Mark Wells' £250,000).
2) Less impressive is the online operation. The report boasts it's revamped and rolled-out a new website successfully, but I think the site is somewhat confusing, and hides the products for sale. Direct sales actually fell from 12% to 11% as a percentage of income in the past year; disappointing in our online era, especially given the lower overheads.
3)Plastic fantastic
A further big cost for Games Workshop is the metal used to make its miniatures. This also adds a lot of risk to the business, especially when commodity prices soar quickly like last year. The company is therefore moving its models -- and its fans -- to a plastic range.
Previously, the plastic models seemed to be pitched as a cheaper, bulk option for consumers. But Games Workshop has now invested in new tooling facilities in Nottingham, and claims its latest plastic models are superior to their metal equivalents.
Accordingly, it's putting up prices of the plastic line-up. Given they cost less to make, this bodes well for profits -- provided consumers accept the transition. It also reduces exposure to the wilder commodity swings, though the company will still be affected by oil and energy prices, of course.
A further big cost for Games Workshop is the metal used to make its miniatures. This also adds a lot of risk to the business, especially when commodity prices soar quickly like last year. The company is therefore moving its models -- and its fans -- to a plastic range.
Previously, the plastic models seemed to be pitched as a cheaper, bulk option for consumers. But Games Workshop has now invested in new tooling facilities in Nottingham, and claims its latest plastic models are superior to their metal equivalents.
Accordingly, it's putting up prices of the plastic line-up. Given they cost less to make, this bodes well for profits -- provided consumers accept the transition. It also reduces exposure to the wilder commodity swings, though the company will still be affected by oil and energy prices, of course.
Interesting...
That is almost as good as the comment made in their investor pages a few years back about one of the strenths of the company was its customers did't care about price rises and so were ready for milking constantly (slight paraphrase).
anyway, I thought GW management got paid and fed off the crushed dreams and withering souls of DE players who haunt Nottingham as pathetic mewling insubstantial wraiths saying "they tell me its done but I cannot find it, they tell me its done but I cannot find it, they ......"
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2010/01/16 16:36:28
2014 will be the year of zero GW purchases. Kneadite instead of GS, no paints or models. 2014 will be the year I finally make the move to military models and away from miniature games.
reds8n wrote:What's Maryland/Baltimore like anyway ?
Baltimore is an incredibly violent cesspool outside of a few block "Tourist" area. And people have been shot/stabbed/beaten to a pulp there in broad daylight the past few months. Most of Baltimore is also a bad place to be white in these days.
The rest of Maryland is a disfunctional conglomerate of white trash, welfare trash, crooked democrats and unconcerned rich people that live further out in the rural counties.
Man, must be awesome knowing everyone in Maryland! Thanks for the broad sweeping generalization!
Granted, you nailed Baltimore spot on!
I'm not too fond of Glen Burnie, either. Like most places I've been to Glen Burnie has it's decent areas and it's not so decent areas. It just so happens that the latter outweighs the former, in my opinion.
Most of the opinions, again, on Baltimore are pretty spot on. The Inner Harbour is nice, and the majority (I used to live in Baltimore City) is as Howlingmoon said.
I think that Kirby coming to the US does not bode well for the current staff at the Bunker. I've seen more than a few heads roll once the upper echelon comes a-knockin`. I'm not sure if it's all doom-and-gloom yet, but I suppose we will soon find out!
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2010/01/16 19:04:50
Howlingmoon wrote:Hopefully Tommy visits my local store so I can meet him and thank him for ending the US bitz service and saved me from spending a ton of cash to convert some CSM Demon Princes that would have been unusable when the new codex came out.
And thank him again for the delays in the release of the Plastic Demon Prince that has saved me even more money because I'm now no longer interested in the model and the money that I had set aside to get 4 has been redirected to non-GW Hobby projects.
He will then pull a roll of hundred dollar bills out of his pocket, set them on fire with his cigar and then laugh at you. Silly consumer...
That would be awesome. Because one snap of my camera phone means that I can get him rung up for violating the Maryland Indoor Clean Air Act (ie: total smoking ban) and then send a "concerned citizens letter" to the Secret Service via one of my best friends since high school about a guy that has "Defaced American Currency" (Did you know that is punishable by up to 6 months in prison?)
reds8n wrote:What's Maryland/Baltimore like anyway ?
Baltimore is an incredibly violent cesspool outside of a few block "Tourist" area. And people have been shot/stabbed/beaten to a pulp there in broad daylight the past few months. Most of Baltimore is also a bad place to be white in these days.
The rest of Maryland is a disfunctional conglomerate of white trash, welfare trash, crooked democrats and unconcerned rich people that live further out in the rural counties.
reds8n wrote: Sorry, I meant more the GW complex rather than the general area.
..oh, that is what you were talking about .
I assume it's little more than an industrial site then ? It's not got anything akin to Warhammer World there or anyhting has it ? Is it a Battle BUnker or anything ?
After these two posts now I´m imagining the GWs place like some kind of grimdark fortress with spotlights, barbed wire and watchtowers around.
M.
No. That's the train crossroads farther up Ordnance Road. The GW office and Bunker is a pretty non-descript building. You'll miss it if you're not looking carefully your first time there.
Automatically Appended Next Post:
Balance wrote:
Scottywan82 wrote:It also has Charm City Cakes!
Indeed! Baltimore's not quite as bad as portrayed up-thread. I'm not really into hookers so I can't really comment on CT's claims (and I'm really not sure if that's intended as a positive or negative to him). There's some scary areas, but the touristy areas are pretty nice. I'd rather go there than NYC, although NYC has better if more offensive smelling mass transit. Just stick to the innner harbor for the 'fun' part of the town.
I've only been to the GWHQ once for a sale years ago. I think it might have been before they moved, but I've heard they're in the same area, just slightly larger. The old location was in a light industrial area, so very small 'workshop' type industrial as opposed to massive buildings spitting out cars. Nice enough, and the GW logo probably goes unnoticed by a lot of people these days as just another small company in an area with lots of them.
Baltimore's kind of a weird city in that it tends to be a bit culturally different from the rest of the state. Every day in the city is not a scene from The Wire however, and it's a good enough place to visit if you have a reason, although I admit not many people decide on Baltimore as a tourist location without a good reason.
as far as the touristy areas being nice and the city not being a scene from The Wire everyday. I don't think you've actually paid much attention to Baltimore lately.
239 Murders (officially - that's another thing, the local coroners aren't very good with, umm, well, doing their job) in 2009. SIX TIMES THE RATE OF NEW YORK CITY AND 3 TIMES THE RATE OF LOS ANGELES (bold and caps for emphasis.)
Baltimore is also a good place to get your stuff jacked.
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2010/01/16 19:42:37
Should a major review/revamp of the US group be the primary mission/goal of this relocation, doesn't it seem a little odd that they would use Kirby as driver behind this? It seems to be a LOT of money (in salary/costs) to invest in the role. Note that I ask this question, not really understanding what Kirby's role is within the group as far as day-to-day operations go. If one wants to toss out conspiracy theories, as they're looking to implement changes within Europe (UK?) maybe they want Kirby out of the way to allow them to role out/implement their plans?
Yes, Ernie Baker was the head of the US for the past decade or so. Very nice guy, and quite a good gamer. Does a lot of historicals in addition to GW. Lots of miniatures in his office. Sad to see him go.
....and lo!.....The Age of Sigmar came to an end when Saint Veetock and his hamster legions smote the false Sigmar and destroyed the bubbleverse and lead the true believers back to the Old World.
mikhaila wrote:Yes, Ernie Baker was the head of the US for the past decade or so. Very nice guy, and quite a good gamer. Does a lot of historicals in addition to GW. Lots of miniatures in his office. Sad to see him go.
Only the past five years actually Mike. John Stallard held the position from around 2000 to late 2004.
mikhaila wrote:Yes, Ernie Baker was the head of the US for the past decade or so. Very nice guy, and quite a good gamer. Does a lot of historicals in addition to GW. Lots of miniatures in his office. Sad to see him go.
Only the past five years actually Mike. John Stallard held the position from around 2000 to late 2004.
Cheers
Dave
Hmm, that corresponds with when I got addicted to Everquest for 3 years. No wonder I can't remember anything from those years. Plus I blame Trent, he was standing next to me as I typed that post and said "yeah, about 10 years". Blaming Nyman is always fun.
....and lo!.....The Age of Sigmar came to an end when Saint Veetock and his hamster legions smote the false Sigmar and destroyed the bubbleverse and lead the true believers back to the Old World.
Games Workshop Group PLC ("Games Workshop" or the "Group") announces its half-yearly results for the six months to 29 November 2009.
Highlights
Revenue at £62.5m (2008: £61.2m)
Revenue at constant currency* at £58.5m (2008: £61.2m)
Gross margin at 74.4% (2008: 71.4%)
Operating profit pre-royalties receivable at £6.9m (2008: £3.2m)
Operating profit at £8.1m (2008: £3.7m)
Pre-tax profit at £7.9m (2008: £3.0m)
Earnings per share of 21.5p (2008: 4.8p)
Net funds of £4.3m (2008: net borrowings £11.0m)
Mark Wells, Chief Executive of Games Workshop, said:
"Although sales have declined in the first half of the year in constant currency terms, profits and cash flow have increased significantly, delivering a positive cash balance of £4.3 million, up £15.3 million over last year. With improved operating margins we continue to open Hobby centres, confident that we can grow Games Workshop profitably in all existing territories."
The poor man really has a stake in the country. The rich man hasn't; he can go away to New Guinea in a yacht. The poor have sometimes objected to being governed badly; the rich have always objected to being governed at all
We love our superheroes because they refuse to give up on us. We can analyze them out of existence, kill them, ban them, mock them, and still they return, patiently reminding us of who we are and what we wish we could be.
"the play's the thing wherein I'll catch the conscience of the king,
What's Kirby's main area of business expertise? Just a bean-counter?
I'm wondering if he's part of a plan to expand/consolidate US GW branches to a model similar to that of the UK, and I'm not just saying that since my 'local' GW is now 95 miles away in Springfield
He was the CEO, so he's a bit more than a bean-counter. And since it's already been noted that the current guy in charge of the US is gone, Big Tom coming over makes sense either as a "caretaker" until they get a new guy or as a "headsman" to clean house and reorg.
-- $k 
-- 9k 
-- 6k 
-- 4k 
-- 
. That aint good. Grab your pitchforks lads, we got a crusade a coming. 
