Rocna Anchors acquired by Canada Metal Pacific

[Laura Nineham]

Hi everyone,

This morning we heard that Canada Metal Pacific has acquired the licence to manufacture Rocna anchors.

You can read more about this story on YBW: http://www.ybw.com/news/rocna-anchors-acquired-by-canada-metal-pacific/529811

 

[30boat]

Does this means that the nice Mr Craig is out of the picture?

 

[Twister_Ken]

""I am impressed with the manufacturing, engineering and quality control capabilities of Canada Metal Pacific," said Peter Smith, designer of the Rocna anchor. "I look forward to working with them to continue Rocna's growth as the highest quality, best-performing anchor available."

Ahem - surely he should have said "I look forward to working with them to restore Rocna's reputation."

 

[Laura Nineham]

We've put in a couple of requests to talk to someone about that, but we haven't heard anything yet. It's certainly something I'd like to ask about.

If someone does get back to us, we will update the story and I'll let everyone know.

 

[deep denial]

I note that the article didn't mention anything about what grade of steel they would be using, or where they would be built!

 

[Laura Nineham]

At the moment we don't know - we're waiting to see if we can talk to someone to find out more.

I know Yachting Monthly are covering the story in more detail, which will be in the next magazine.

 

[bigwow]

Their anodes are competitively priced perhaps Rocna will now be a realistic price too

 

[Scotty_Tradewind]

Their anodes are competitively priced perhaps Rocna will now be a realistic price too

who are you comparing with?

 

[Blueboatman]

I always fancied a shiny new Rocna just because. Overpriced or not, the grab and holding power "caught" my respect.

I would be very happy to see Peter Smith back driving/rescuing/ vouchsafing the highest spec in material and manufacture of the product, his baby after all.

Meanwhile folks, anchored in this balmy June like weather in notoriously fickle Newtown Creek mud, I am delighted that I can apply full sustained reverse to my nimbly setting(60lb) CQR and it ain't budged and reset once very adroitly without my assistance when the winds went 180deg couple of days ago.

I am delighted that the YM team are on the case, ta for the update Laura.

 

[bigwow]

who are you comparing with?

I’ve always found their Martyr brand, saildrive and prop, anodes cheaper and they seem to work well for me

 

[Seven Spades]

Didn't some Rocnas used to be fabricated in Canada and is it the company who used top make them that had bought a licence? If this is the case it would make sense that they would take on the license. The previous licence holder has damaged the reputation of the product by naively thinking that they could lower the specs to improve profitably, without anyone objecting.

CS has promoted his dads product because he has a financial interest in doing so. What we don't know is if they knew and approved the reduction in the specs by the previous licence holder.

 

[GrantKing]

Didn't some Rocnas used to be fabricated in Canada and is it the company who used top make them that had bought a licence? If this is the case it would make sense that they would take on the license. The previous licence holder has damaged the reputation of the product by naively thinking that they could lower the specs to improve profitably, without anyone objecting.

CS has promoted his dads product because he has a financial interest in doing so. What we don't know is if they knew and approved the reduction in the specs by the previous licence holder.

Smiths had absolutely NO IDEA that metals used for the shanks were changed.
This was done by Bambury in 2008 when production was started in China. He is also the "key" personel being retained by CMP.

 

[Rigger Mortice]

This was done by Bambury in 2008 when production was started in China. He is also the "key" personel being retained by CMP.

In that case it sounds more like a case of change the name and do the same......
Time will tell.

Are they still persuing you?

 

[Tradewinds]

Smiths had absolutely NO IDEA that metals used for the shanks were changed.
This was done by Bambury in 2008 when production was started in China. He is also the "key" personel being retained by CMP.

Are you saying the Smiths are the "key" personel - can't imagine it being the Bamburys.

 

[RocnaONE]

Just a bit of background for everyone.

Under contract, I am helping Rocna via the new owners CMP, with some practical advice on restoring the brand's reputation - which has been under a bit of cloud recently.

I knew the press release might stir up a debate again, so some time ago I approached the YBW web manager for permission to enter the lists if needed. This permission, under certain pragmatic conditions, was granted, and the opportunity is much appreciated.

Some ground rules first;
CMP is a company with a strong ethical background with a passion for high standards. Have a look at the website page, for a flavour.

http://www.canmet.com/content/aboutus/quality.htm

As part of that approach CMP will not be engaging in rough housing, name-calling, or astroturfing. We are concentrating on

• sorting out the Q420 reduced spec steel problem
• identifying and replacing when requested any 420 anchor
• building up the quality controls which Rocna had properly implemented in the production factory early last year
• strengthening the supply chain management
• rebuilding the website, and ensuring that it is always accurate and timely
• working with our distributors and sales points to provide full technical information to customers
• providing a source of clear and accurate information to the yachting press
• joining in the relentless forum debates on anchors, with dignity and useful data

We have been actively engaged in providing backup information to Laura, and to the various IPC yachting mag editors, and this will continue apace over the next few days.

There will Technical Bulletins on the steel issue, with information to clear up confusions about bending, ultimate tensile strength, deformation, breaking strain, etc. We hope these will enable owners and prospective purchasers to understand that the strength of Rocna anchors is not only from the steel used, but also from the advanced and effective design, proven by many deep sea cruising sailors all over the world - and for example in the recent hurricane in Vlikho, where a Rocna 33 held a 52 ft heavy steel ketch firm, in recorded winds of 91 knots.

The steel issue is being dealt with. We are looking at a testing process using various advanced systems to see if any anchor presented is a 420 steel one, or the 'standard' Q620. By the way, Q is an acronym in Chinese for Yield Point. (There's a nice little question for the next yacht club quiz night ).


So there we have it.

What went wrong:
We should have sorted production issues out earlier and more proactively.
Article authors could have approached Rocna directly for information, but didn't.
We should have picked up on wrong or tendentious information being put out on social media



What we are doing:-
We are working very very hard to put everything right as quickly as possible.
We will update the website as soon as we can.
We will work with our customers, and the design and technical teams, and our distributors, to identify any anchors which do not meet spec.
We will offer to replace them if owners are not happy to continue using them when they see the results of the lab tests (due out this weekend).
We will build Rocnas with the best and most appropriate materials we can find.
We will answer questions as fast as we can (bearing in mind that Rocna is now working in three different times zones round the world, and even techies have to sleep sometimes !)


OK, that's all for now from me, folks. Go ahead and post; I'll join in as and when I think it necessary. And thanks again to YBW for the opportunity to do so.

R1

 

[davidwf]

CMP make really great autopilot drives under their Octopus brand. Great people to deal with in Europe and from my experience in getting some mods made, real engineers.

 

[Twister_Ken]

Wonder what will happen to all the dodgy Rocnas out there in the distribution chain. A recall, or flogged to unsuspecting punters at full price?

That'll be a good test of the 'morality' of the new owner.

 

[longjohnsilver]

Meanwhile folks, anchored in this balmy June like weather in notoriously fickle Newtown Creek mud, I am delighted that I can apply full sustained reverse to my nimbly setting(60lb) CQR and it ain't budged and reset once very adroitly without my assistance when the winds went 180deg couple of days ago.


.

Jeff's on his way to rescue you...................

 

[Twister_Ken]

Judging by a PM I've just had, I think we are about to see a return of Craig Smith and rocnaspam slag-off marketing.

Look out for posts from RocnaONE.

 

[Tradewinds]

Judging by a PM I've just had, I think we are about to see a return of Craig Smith and rocnaspam slag-off marketing.

Look out for posts from RocnaONE.

About RocnaONE

Biography
UK administrative contact for CMP and Rocna NZ

Occupation
pouring oil on troubled waters