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UNOFFICIAL Information source for Arnold Digital DCC Model Railway Controllers |
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| 27th December 2001 Lima
S.p.A. was established on December 27th 2001 from the merging of all previous companies belonging to the Rivarossi Group (Rivarossi, Arnold, Lima, Jouef and Pocher). Starting from 27/03/2002 the head offices will be moved in the new building in Via della Musia, 58 - 25135
Brescia.
2003 - Lima was forced into liquidation in 2003
due to the high cost overheads associated with its European based 8th March 2004 - Hornby Plc from the UK announced a bid for the major part of the Lima Group. Their aim did not seem primarily to obtain the OO tooling in the Lima range but to get a foothold in the Continental European model market particularly in France, Italy and presumably in Holland where the Lima/Jouef brand was strongest. The proposal was to have all the models made in China to save costs and no doubt to improve quality. 05 October 2004 - Hornby Plc, announced that the Court of Brescia in Italy had signed a decree which allowed the Liquidators of Lima S.p.a. to accept Hornby's offer of Euro8 million to acquire certain assets of Lima. Hornby subsequently conducted detailed due diligence on Lima's assets. The Hornby Board was confident that the acquisition would be completed by the end of the calendar year. The brands involved in the acquisition were: Lima/Rivarossi - brand leaders in Italy 16 December 2004 - Hornby Plc, announced that it had completed the acquisition of certain assets of Lima S.p.A in liquidation for Euro8 million (Approximately £5.5 million) fully funded from cash reserves and Bank overdraft facilities. 2005 - Hornby International is set up to produce and distribute the old Lima brands. Hornby Italia S.r.l. is the new incarnation of Lima. 2006 - Hornby International release a range of N-scale models under the Arnold brand name. For DCC controllers, Hornby is releasing a new range of DCC Digital controllers and accessories under the Hornby brand.
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