Who owns Lamiglass?

[steve(IL)]

Just noticed that Loomis and Lamiglass are both out of Woodland,Wa. Any connection? Just curious. There is another good sized company based there that sells blanks and rod building supplies - their name escapes me. It must be a hotbed of rod building.

p.s. If you haven't already, read through the post that says something in the title about Loomis experts. Pay attention to the discussion about that modulus doesn't mean everything. We're getting somewhere now - the more we learn about the science behind it, the better we'll be able to compare. Some Loomis buyers were shocked to find out their IMX's were 59 mil modulus when Bass Pro has Pro Qualifiers at 85 mil modulus - not that Pro Qualifiers are better. Materials, blank construction, wall thickness and exterior finish will all contribute to the quality of the finished product.

Eventually Loomis prices will come down or one of their competitors will win buyers away with a comparable or better product for less money.

[Gunga Din]

I don't know who owns Lamiglass, but my view on GLoomis rods and their price is that they'll remain the high-end rod. They're the ones who shape the rod building industry and advance it. Consequently, they lead the other rod builders who continually try to build 'as good as' rod for less money. It's their niche and their strategy, and unless their mission changes, I don't see them pricing down their rods to match the prices of compitors.

Personally, I think they own the high-end niche. And St. Croix is the leader in the 'as good as but cheaper' niche. But St. Croix has a lot of other mfg's nipping at their heels.

My opinion, and worth every cent you paid for it!

[Goldpig]

I wrote as detailed as I could in that same post about how the modulus rating isn't necessarily a good indicator of a rods sensitivity or durability. Do not be fooled into thinking that a higher modulus rod is going to be better. I honestly believe the best answers come from weighing all of the opinions on this boards as well as extensive personal "testing." Long live Loomis!

P.S. I hope Steve is right about the prices of Loomis coming down, unfortunately I don't see it happening. There is a stigma behind them. It would be the equivalent of Mercedes lowering their prices because Buick came out with a sporty luxury car.

[Fuzzy]

Did you know Shimano bought Loomis 3 years ago (or so)? Maybe they own Lamiglass too. I dunno.

[steve(IL)]

I agree that Loomis holds the high ground in terms of finished product and technology. The only problem I see with them hanging on to it long term is the finite nature of the market/product and mass communication like the WC board and others.

Compare rods to electronics (DVD players, for example) - someone comes out with an innovation and is able to command a premium until a competitor starts under-cutting prices while taking market share. The innovator has to cut prices to hang onto market share. The same thing is true in rods - some premium rods of a couple years ago are selling at discount prices on clearance racks today.

Loomis was/is an innovator - they brought us the Haagen Daz of fishing rods. Perhaps there will always be a group who will be willing to pay a premium for their stuff. The truth is that there are rods out there today that compete well against Loomis for considerably less money. The component manufacturers (blanks, guides,etc.) continue to push the envelope of lighter, more sensitive and cheaper. Rod builders will follow suit.

It is - IMHO - not likely that other manufacturers will never come up with rods comparable or better than Loomis. For that to be true would require defying market forces which are already in motion.

Perhaps Gary Loomis saw this coming and decided it was a good time to sell to Shimano, eh? ;-)

[WAeyes]

Shimano owns Loomis? Well then why cant they fit Shimano spinning reels on Loomis spinning rods? Doesn't make any sense.

[steve(IL)]

Hey man, you get what you pay for....... ;-)


(Yes, I'm teasing. I couldn't resist. Shame on me...)

[WAeyes]

Hey Steve, is that true that Shimano owns Loomis? I seem to have a problem getting what I paid for. I'm better at just paying and not getting sh#t!

[MrTwister]

Might have to try a Lamiglas!!!! They are a top shelf rod. I have used them for a few years and never had a complaint. Also, Loomis worked for Lamiglas to learn to build rods from what I have been told!!!

[Fuzzy]

yes it is true Shimano owns Loomis now - since 99. Not sure about
Lamiglass. My Shimano reels fit fine on my Loomis rods. What's the beef??

[steve(IL)]

Hey WAeyes,

You are not alone. I have a garage full of 'learning experiences'. While having too many cocktails tonight w/ OOC of this board, he explained that it was his understanding that the Lamiglass guys came from Loomis. Whoever came from whichever, they both know each other's secrets I imagine. :-)

[WAeyes]

I went into the problem in a thread called "Loomis Experts"

[WAeyes]

I just got my 2001 Bass Pro master catalog today. I see that the G-Loomis spinning rods have a new reel seat for 2001. I just bet ya that my Shimano reels would fit fine on this new handle. Now that is some fast customer service from G-Loomis! Still not the reel seat I like, but it would probably work.

[Bob G2]

To my knowledge, Lamiglas still is self owned. The way I have heard it, Gary Loomis actually worked as a rod designer for Lamiglas, before he struck out on his own. Gary Loomis first started the old LCI-Loomis Composite Industries (now Talon rods) before he got out of that and started G. Loomis and the rest is history. Interestingly, the guy who started Sage, I believe, also
came from Lamiglas. And somehow, I think there is some kind of tie-in here to Fenwick. Before Fenwick got bought out, they also
were in Washington state. So you had Fenwick, Lamiglas, Sage, G. Loomis and LCI all made in Washington. The connection? Well, given you job working with industrial materials,...Boeing and the aerospace industry.

Speaking of rods, it might be kind of cool to have a tech rep from one of the major manufacturers such as St. Croix or Loomis
be a guest speaker in the chatroom sometime. With all the chatter about rods, having someone to talk about blank design and manufacturing might spark alot of interest, that is, if this hasn't been done already.

[Fuzzy]

That is an excellent suggestion - have several rod/reel manufacturer reps in for a chat. I like that idea. Lot's of
questions out here in WC land.

[WAeyes]

Excellent idea! But I wonder how much technical info they would give out?

[WAeyes]

In response to the reference of the graphite modulus in some of the higher end graphite rods. Comparing the 2000 Bass Pro master catalog to the 2001, I have found a few missing rods in this years version. The 64 million modulus Pflueger Supreme that retailed for $100 is not available this year. The Johnny Morris XPS Signature Series 85HM graphite spinning rod that retailed for $150 is not available this year (casting rod still is). The Bass Pro Shops XPS Pro Qualifier HM85 graphite rod that retailed for $120 is not available this year. The Walleye Angler Signature Series HM85 graphite rod that retailed for $120 is not available (the IM6,IM8 still are). I guess my point of all this is why are all these extremely high modulus rods no longer available? Is it because the sales were just low or was it because of quality issues of customer complaints or something else? High modulus....maybe we should pass.

[WAeyes]

Strange deal. The Loomis spinning rods in Cabelas have different reel seats than the same rods in Bass Pro.

[Gunga Din]

Interesting you say that, WAeyes, about the Shimano reels not fitting well. I bought my first Loomis last year and my Stradic fit like crap on it. It fit, but the lock-down screwn looked twisted. I just sent that rod in for repair Loomis sent me a brand new rod, same model (no cost). It had an updated reel seat. My Stradic now fits better and the lock-down screw doesn't look like it's about to pop off.