GLR?

Hi Gents, and possibly Ladies,

Firstly a very Merry Christmas to you all, and secondly, does anyone know whats happened to GLR (Kennions)?

The website now goes to a dead end!.

Lofty

Hi Lofty,

GLR are closing down next month according to various posts on other forums. I also had an email last week saying as much. Apparently Pete intends to carry on selling some of the range of castings but on a private basis.

John

Ahhh, thanks John, just when I needed more project bits (

Hello,

Very bad news that GLR is no more! I, for one, found that their range of materials and sundries was marvellous and their speed of delivery, first class. I rarely used anyone else.

All the other suppliers that I can find seem to fall down in some aspect - price, range etc. Usually the range of sizes.

I suppose it's a bit much to expect anyone to list UK suppliers they would never use again, though I could name one or two, but it would be interesting and useful if members might give their recommendations.

In the meantime, I think I'll have to dig out the black armband.

Regards,

Norman.

Bugger !!! I used them regularly, especially for stock material. They had by far the best general range of bits & bobs for model engineering. I'll miss them !

Is it definite that GLR are closing down. I still can get their website using the following link

**LINK**

Quite a number of links on this page don't work, and I read on another forum, (can't remeber where) that they had problems with the site sometime ago.

Also if they were planning to shut down would they still be advertising the lastest issue of ME.

Regards

Luigi

Edited By Halton Tank on 29/12/2012 21:33:33

Could that be a development page Luigi, some have automatic link updates for regular items.

I had an email from Pete Harmon today. He confirms that GLR has closed. Such a pity. He cites rising overheads, multiple burglaries and, surprisingly, insufficient orders. He will continue to offer drawings and castings for the engine range.

I think Derek sums it up nicely. "Bugger!!!"

Norman.

The website seems to be back with a new address etc. All the castings sets are listed so I wish them well in the future as I have had such excelent service in the past.

Martin

I have been keeping tabs on the GLR website and noted last week that they had changed the address to Northampton , however this morning the address had changed yet again to Roydon , Essex.So I rang them and spoke to the new owner of GLR who informed me that they were still trading and he thought that it would be a couple of months before he would be able to put a new catalogue out.

This has to be good news that the Charles Kennions designs and castings will be still available

Kevin Norman

All I can say is good riddance. GLR was the strangest firm it was my misfortune to deal with.I used to call in at their premises and was always viewed with suspicion. I would ask to buy a casting and a long haired individual would disappear into the back room and after some discussion would emerge and tell me they would only sell mail order. They just wanted to turn away money or only sell to their friends.

Alun Morris

I dealt with GLR only by mail order. At that, they were exemplary. If an item were out of stock and they wanted to substitute, I would get a call to ask.

The point of my earlier question however, was not to do a critique of GLR but to hear suggestions for a good alternative. There is one supplier who has a range of materials which is almost as good but is very expensive. Another, whos range is good but delivery is dreadful and another (name actually appears on this page), who I would not deal with again, even if they were the last supplier on Earth!

Still looking for recommendations, chaps.

Norman. (One-time long-haired inividual)

I have only had good service from GLR all of which has been mail order.

Perhaps we should wait and see what the new owners perform like.

My main point was that I would not like to see the Charles Kennions designs disappear , I still have an original catalogue from 1960.

Kevin

Reference Alun Morris's comment on GLR, is he sure it was GLR he went to? In the years I regularly visited them in Daventry, I never saw a "long haired Individual" serving and there were no "back rooms" for anybody to disappear into.....very much open plan with a mezzanine!

Pete, the owner was a quiet chap (possibly from business worries) leaving the serving to steve( his son) and a young lad. To Steve, nothing was too much trouble. Always had what I wanted, do I miss them.....very much so!

If I am permitted to give my preferred supplier, it would have to be Blackgates, Leeds. Fast postal delivery and really helpfull.

John H

I called in to GLR Daventry several times in the last year, for short pieces of material and the odd tool and accessory. I was always treated in a kind and friendly manner.

Several times whilst returning home from the Midlands Model Engineer Exhibition I have called at GLR to buy some of their metal packs.On each occasion I was received very courteously and I found the guys there to be very helpful. I am very sorry they will no longer be in Daventry.

I was very sorry to hear about GLR.

I used them on a regular basis not buying huge amounts as i am doing model engineering on a budget, but the owner Pete and his Son were great, i ordered most of my materials on a Friday by phone and picked them up Saturday morning.

on one occasion i popped over with my 8 year old daughter and paid for my materials and he then turned to my daughter and said " go and buy yourself a nice toy" and gave her my money back !!

we have lost a great supplier. who do we use now, as i have found no where as cheap, you could not beat there budget packs

very sad

Is this the decline of our hobby, I am 39 who will be the suppliers for castings and materials when i am 65?

food for thought

Nigel

Nigel,

GLR have not been lost they are now trading under new ownership in Roydon , Essex.

The new owner Richard informed me that they would be a couple of weeks or so getting the website up and running, it can be reached at modelengineeringsupplies.co.uk

Bregds Kevin

I was refering to their premises nr St.Albans in half a small factory unit.

I also used to call in at Kennions previously. They were always happy to see cutomers.

Regards

Alun Morris

I didn't know the last owners of glr but the new owner is great aswell he always gets everything ready very quickly and it arrives within a couple of days.

Regards Stan Carter