Is Yard-O-Led Going Out Of Business?

[WilsonCQB1911]

I have been told by a major pen retailer that YOL currently does not have a US distributor and that they cannot order their pens. I'm aware that they used to be affiliated with Filofax who did their distribution. I actually sent a question to Filofax a few months ago about a YOL product but never received a reply.

 

Additionally, YOL's website is now fairly stripped down and has no contact info other than to direct you to some stores that sell their products.

 

Are they going out of business? What's the story? I enjoy their pencils but recognise that their QC may have slipped or never was quite what it used to be. I've had to return a pencil twice due to defects. In one instance a chunk of the nose cone was missing but it has been polished, indicating that someone must have seen it and sent it out anyway.

 

I've considered one of their pens but always been somewhat frightened off by the QC concerns.

Edited January 17, 2016 by WilsonCQB1911

[snowbear]

I have been told by a major pen retailer that YOL currently does not have a US distributor and that they cannot order their pens. I'm aware that they used to be affiliated with Filofax who did their distribution. I actually sent a question to Filofax a few months ago about a YOL product but never received a reply.

 

Additionally, YOL's website is now fairly stripped down and has no contact info other than to direct you to some stores that sell their products.

 

Are they going out of business? What's the story? I enjoy their pencils but recognise that their QC may have slipped or never was quite what it used to be. I've had to return a pencil twice due to defects. In one instance a chunk of the nose cone was missing but it has been polished, indicating that someone must have seen it and sent it out anyway.

 

I've considered one of their pens but always been somewhat frightened off by the QC concerns.

 

It looks like Fahrney's, in DC, has a few.

http://www.fahrneyspens.com/ItemList--Yard-O-Led-Fountain-Pens--m-2312

[WilsonCQB1911]

 

It looks like Fahrney's, in DC, has a few.

http://www.fahrneyspens.com/ItemList--Yard-O-Led-Fountain-Pens--m-2312

In my experience their website doesn't always represent actual stock. I've ordered from them before and had to wait while they ordered the product from the manufacturer. I can't say in this particular instance what the case is.

 

Moreover, currently having stock doesn't mean that it's a fresh order. Expensive niche pens like YOLs probably don't turnover all that quickly. So I don't know that Fahrneys listing YOL on their website is evidence of anything at this point.

[Alexcat]

My experience with the actual physical company(UK) was wonderful....I had bought a pen on eBay which turned out to have a spiral crack in the nib unit. No amount of help from eBay....seller denied it completely, long story short, it was unusable, so, I sent it to YOL, with a covering note to explain where I had bought it(ie was second hand - bought that way, not new)

 

A few weeks later, ?I'd forgotten all about it, and it arrived with a whole new nib unit (inc. nib) at no cost to me whatsoever...plus a receipt.

 

I was very impressed....and it's a lovely thing to use....

 

Alex

[Postscript]

I have been told by a major pen retailer that YOL currently does not have a US distributor and that they cannot order their pens. I'm aware that they used to be affiliated with Filofax who did their distribution. I actually sent a question to Filofax a few months ago about a YOL product but never received a reply.

 

Additionally, YOL's website is now fairly stripped down and has no contact info other than to direct you to some stores that sell their products.

 

Are they going out of business? What's the story? I enjoy their pencils but recognise that their QC may have slipped or never was quite what it used to be. I've had to return a pencil twice due to defects. In one instance a chunk of the nose cone was missing but it has been polished, indicating that someone must have seen it and sent it out anyway.

 

I've considered one of their pens but always been somewhat frightened off by the QC concerns.

Gosh, please not. I love my YOL Grand Victorian and would like to get more YOL pens.

 

Post Script

[jmccarty3]

YOL is making sterling pens for Smythson, according to the latter's web site.

[northlodge]

I have been told by a major pen retailer that YOL currently does not have a US distributor and that they cannot order their pens. .

International trade sanctions against the USA, following widespread distaste at the comments of one DonaldJTrump ??

 

My experience with the actual physical company(UK) was wonderful....

Alex

Likewise, my experience was of an extremely helpful outfit.

 

 

I jest about response 1, I am serious about point 2

[benslot]

Yesterday I received back from YOL (UK) a fully restored Grand Emperor. Communications on the repairs were straight forward and prompt. The pen is back in full glory, and I find it hard to believe that they are going out of business and still deliver this excellent service.

[twdpens]

I'm not aware of the situation regarding North American distribution, but I can inform you of the following:

Ownership of Yard-O-Led changed last year when previous owner Filofax sold 50% (I think) of its stake in the company. The new owners, Imperial Yard Ltd, are fully behind the brand, have taken on new staff at the factory in Birmingham and have great plans for the future of the company. Some product ranges have been axed to concentrate on those that are wholly produced in solid silver in its own factory.

 

To quote the Yard-O-Led website:

"Imperial Yard Limited acquires the atelier, trade and intellectual property of Yard-O-Led, Sampson Mordan, Edward Baker, LF Brenner and other historic writing instrument pioneers. Tim Tufnell accepts the role of Honorary President."

 

So, no, Yard-O-Led is not going out of business, quite the opposite, but as with any change of ownership there are always potential teething problems.

 

Visitors last year's London Writing Equipment Show will have seen a demonstration of a Yard-O-Led craftsman creating the "Victorian" hand-decorated finish on a barrel.

 

HTH,

 

Martin

[Ghost Plane]

Good news! So long as they keep B nibs coming, I'll keep buying.

[richardandtracy]

The B nib on my std Viceroy Victorian is about the size I think of as a 'nice fat medium', matching my wonderful P61 that I grew up with. Nice nib, well it's very nice, but not a very broad broad.

 

Good news, though.

 

Regards,

 

Richard.

[inkstainedruth]

 

International trade sanctions against the USA, following widespread distaste at the comments of one DonaldJTrump ??

 

Gee I hope not. I'd like to be able to afford a Viceroy Victorian someday and if I can't get one because of him I'll dislike him even more than I already do (and I'm a registered Republican...).

Oh, sorry, is this one of those "we prohibit politics" annoying posts from the Moderators? My bad....

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[jar]

Change is certainly needed since the total work force was only about a dozen folk IIRC and their average age made me feel young again. Filofax did well representing them but there was always the feeling of contrast between commodity product and niche product. I hope all works well.

[mongrelnomad]

I'm not aware of the situation regarding North American distribution, but I can inform you of the following:

Ownership of Yard-O-Led changed last year when previous owner Filofax sold 50% (I think) of its stake in the company. The new owners, Imperial Yard Ltd, are fully behind the brand, have taken on new staff at the factory in Birmingham and have great plans for the future of the company. Some product ranges have been axed to concentrate on those that are wholly produced in solid silver in its own factory.

 

To quote the Yard-O-Led website:

"Imperial Yard Limited acquires the atelier, trade and intellectual property of Yard-O-Led, Sampson Mordan, Edward Baker, LF Brenner and other historic writing instrument pioneers. Tim Tufnell accepts the role of Honorary President."

 

So, no, Yard-O-Led is not going out of business, quite the opposite, but as with any change of ownership there are always potential teething problems.

 

Visitors last year's London Writing Equipment Show will have seen a demonstration of a Yard-O-Led craftsman creating the "Victorian" hand-decorated finish on a barrel.

 

HTH,

 

Martin

 

 

Good to hear. I'd always admired YOL pens from afar (following a disappointing Viceroy Pocket that put me off the brand), however a few minutes to kill in Fortnum and Mason led me inevitably to the pen section, and a quick dip of a Grand Viceroy Victorian. What a distinguished pen: I was immediately smitten.

 

On visiting the London pen show, I was surprised to see one of the artisans hand-stamping a similar pen. A quick chat and I discovered that each employee uses a slightly different and unique pattern on their pens.

 

"Oh yeah, that'll be one of John's," he said when when i pulled mine out (forgive me, but I think that was his name). He proceeded to talk me through the signature pattern, and demonstrate the difference between their styles.

 

Needless to say, I am a big fan of the company, and wish it all the best for the future.

Edited January 21, 2016 by mongrelnomad

[Ghost Plane]

There is simply nothing like a Grand of whatever pattern.

[richardandtracy]

Apart, you mean GP, from a policeman's truncheon.

 

The grand really is too big for me, and the curvature of the section seems to throw my fingers to the nib. Don't find it anywhere near as comfortable as the Viceroy standard.

 

Regards,

 

Richard.

[Ghost Plane]

Feel free to rehome any you might have lying about in my direction.

[kazoolaw]

Apart, you mean GP, from a policeman's truncheon.

 

Cudgel, you're talking Delta DV OS.

 

Personally, the YOL Grand Barley is my sterling of choice.

 

gary

[richardandtracy]

I like the Barley pattern, and it was a hard choice between the standard Viceroy Barleycorn and the Victorian when my work offered me a pen instead of a gold watch for putting up with them for 20 years. I finally went for the Victorian because I'd be more likely to afford a barleycorn myself one day.

 

Regards,

 

Richard.

[Tancred]

I have been told by a major pen retailer that YOL currently does not have a US distributor and that they cannot order their pens. I'm aware that they used to be affiliated with Filofax who did their distribution. I actually sent a question to Filofax a few months ago about a YOL product but never received a reply.

 

Additionally, YOL's website is now fairly stripped down and has no contact info other than to direct you to some stores that sell their products.

 

Are they going out of business? What's the story? I enjoy their pencils but recognise that their QC may have slipped or never was quite what it used to be. I've had to return a pencil twice due to defects. In one instance a chunk of the nose cone was missing but it has been polished, indicating that someone must have seen it and sent it out anyway.

 

I've considered one of their pens but always been somewhat frightened off by the QC concerns.

 

I would not be surprised if YoL was on the way out. They haven't launched anything new recently and the product line up is pretty dull - same old, same old. . New ownership often means preparation for going into administration once all the assets have been stripped and sold off - look at Conway Stewart.

Edited January 24, 2016 by Tancred