VERMONT CASTINGS GROUP ANNOUNCES ACQUISITION BY EMPLOYEES

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Charlie Page and Duncan Syme, Charlie was the big pickle:cool:
 
Time to get the pickle Hill gang out of retirement, the founders were a bunch of hippie college students based out of Warren

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It was a zucchini
 
I'm sticking with Woodstock! No seriously I would like to see VC succeed but they just seem to over engineer their stoves. Where's Elk, I'm suprised he's not on the list.!!!
 
One of Pickle hill folks still supports the Vermont Elm and has had a lot of success retrofitting them to burn a lot cleaner.

Then again despite their charms, Elms definitely are regarded by most as not very elegant looking. (eye of the beholder)

For those not familiar both the original Elm stove and the original Vermont Castings stove were designed and built in a completion by some local folks in Warren /Waitsfield VT area. They founded many companies but typically were far better at starting them then running them long term, but some real smart folks.
 
Employee ownership is a good thing! Hope they figure out the business model and make it work. All employees should have a say in a business! The old ways of I'm the boss and you do what I say doesn't fly anymore..

Ray
 
Does anyone have a description of what they call "employee ownership" at VC? I get the sense that it does not include the rank and file to a large degree, but who knows?

There is a big difference between "The new ownership team is entirely made up by current and former employees"
and being owned by ALL the employees.

Which is it?
 
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"acquired by an entity owned by the employees of the Company" is more fuzziness.
 
Does anyone have a description of what they call "employee ownership" at VC? I get the sense that it does not include the rank and file to a large degree, but who knows?

There is a big difference between "The new ownership team is entirely made up by current and former employees"
and being owned by ALL the employees.

Which is it?
I didn't catch that! From that wording it sounds like a select few actually own the company..

Ray
 
VC's foundry makes beautiful castings. I'd like to see this company survive. Give them a chance to sort out the details. There a lots of ways they can increase employee ownership and benefits, a good profit sharing plan being one. I'm hoping this time will be the charm and that they are working on a new stove design in the back room.
 
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Ya know what would be interesting would be to see VC collaborating with Woodstock rather than reinventing the wheel. If they re-clad the Progress and the forthcoming Union with their beautiful, traditional-styled castings, I might be persuaded to consider one. I think I'll send them a note.
 
Ya know what would be interesting would be to see VC collaborating with Woodstock rather than reinventing the wheel. If they re-clad the Progress and the forthcoming Union with their beautiful, traditional-styled castings, I might be persuaded to consider one. I think I'll send them a note.
Long live Frankenstove! :)
 
Why would you reclad the Progress? It's beautiful.

It's in the eyes of the beholder. I'm ok with the Progress, but my wife for one does not like the Victorian detailing and brass damper control. She really doesn't like the look of the Fireview, but loves the look of VC stoves. I think it's because Vermont Castings caught the look of classic Americana very well. They make beautiful looking stoves.
 
It's in the eyes of the beholder. I'm ok with the Progress, but my wife for one does not like the Victorian detailing and brass damper control. She really doesn't like the look of the Fireview, but loves the look of VC stoves. I think it's because Vermont Castings caught the look of classic Americana very well. They make beautiful looking stoves.
I think our wives are related BG.. Essentially the same opinions and tastes exist here as there.. Personally I can appreciate the quality and styling of both companies and see merit in both brands.

Ray
 
Not to all of us. I'd say I have only two things against Woodstock:

1. Side loaders. :mad:
2. Looks out of place in the decor of an older home.


+1 The exact reason I still put up with the encore. Its one of the few stoves that doesn't look very out of place in a pre-1850 house and fits my small hearth.

Give me a BK or Woodstock catalytic system with VC styling in a small package and I'm sold.
 
Give me a BK or Woodstock catalytic system with VC styling in a small package and I'm sold.
Jags and I were both pleading the same last year. The solution: old Jotul catalytics, although buying old stoves has its own set of issues. Hopefully VC starts putting out some more reliable product, and solves their customer support shortcomings. They make pretty stoves, but I wouldn't put my money in anything with a VC tag on it.
 
Jags and I were both pleading the same last year. The solution: old Jotul catalytics, although buying old stoves has its own set of issues. Hopefully VC starts putting out some more reliable product, and solves their customer support shortcomings. They make pretty stoves, but I wouldn't put my money in anything with a VC tag on it.


The only reason I do is it came with the house. So far its cheaper to throw parts at it than replace. That will change eventually.

I have fond memories of growing up with a vc resolute ( the original "1979" edition) This encore is a different beast altogether...I can get really long burns and a lot more heat out of it but its so finicky and tricky to operate.
 
Sounds like the BK Ashford is going to be a pretty popular stove.
 
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