Auto Page, maker of remote starters, and its owner Varad, maker of automotive lighting, closed their doors almost two weeks ago, and laid off all remaining personnel with the exception of VP Carl Stacy, said industry members.
However, some Auto Page manufacturer’s reps were informed that Autopage hopes to reopen later in the year and ship a brand new line of remote starters.
Stacy could not be reached for comment.
Industry members said that Auto Page had not shipped product since either November or January, depending on who we spoke to. Also communication between dealers and Auto Page headquarters became increasingly sporadic in recent months, said industry members.
Auto Page was sold to automotive lighting company Varad in 2012.
As of last year, Auto Page had about 100 dealers while in its heyday it worked with 300 to 400 dealers, said one industry member.
Auto Page was a well-regarded remote start brand for many years. It launched in 1979 with a car security system that paged the owner if someone tampered with the car. Then in the early to mid 1980s, the company introduced one of the first remote controlled alarm systems using an IR remote.
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I feel for the retailers and dealers that got caught up in this. Whoever posted my name in the comment previously, I appreciate it. I tried my hardest to support the installers and shops all across the USA the best I could. It definitely was a sad day when I heard. Unfortunately you have to roll with changes, and then do what’s best for the retailer and the customers.
When Iwata Electric co. dilapidated Autopage’s USA funds to bring all the money back in Japan the troubles started to be serious.
Autopage lost a lot of money because some key suppliers/partners cancelled their business contracts with them and used their temporary weakness to literally buy their reps. (you know who you are!)
From that point Autopage has been having problems getting a decent inventory to go through their seasons and support their dealers. But since Mike, Oliver, Jason and Chris bared all together the soul remained and the dealers were still devoted to their peoples.
When Varad bought, it brought back faith for success because the financial support to build a decent inventory and close good business deals came back. The dealers trusted the current team and the team wanted the brand to be as strong as its good old days.
Sadly Varad did a bold mistake when they got rid of “The A team” and everything went wrong.
We always talk about these transactions with company names and the individuals are most often left behind.
Lets take a minute to remember and raise our hats to Mike, Oliver, Chris and Jason for all the hard work and for building the best of what was Autopage. I am sorry for you guys and for the old dealer base who all worked together to later be destroyed by bad Japanese business decisions.
I work for one of their distributors and we have been waiting for some of their product since May 2016 with no explanation and absentee employees when you would try to get answers. The company seems like it has been heading down hill for years, with no accountability given when you would report the problems to higher ups in the company. They have had delivery issues for years and this seemed like the inevitable outcome. I personally will be shocked if they ever open their doors again.
Very Sad but I am to believe many of us knew this was coming. We being a overly strong Autopage Dealer and supporter the business customer services and attitudes changed when they were bought out by Varid. They created a new line of product around three plus years ago and all of it did not hit the market and failed to keep stock for retailers. The non answering of phone calls and assist of POP promotional items fell. They never respinded to customers emails including ours to help customer concerns amd thats how we knew they we falling below level.
The lack of supporting warranty was a big factor to once they got bought out was a issue also for our warehouse. But still was good product. I dont see how the New Autopage is gonna last because of the lack of Customer Care they provided for Current Customers, Previous Customers, Reatailes amd Wholesalers Warehouses. Now, even if they do open back up, they most likely wont support any warranty in any of the past product the was bought or installed. So, why should we buy and trust them again? Thats a big question.
Also, now if any of our customers have a issue with the Autopage units we will have to try and sell them a new one somehow or exchange it out. So, now its a loss of money and trust from our pocket amd customers. So, sad! But also look at many workers left autopage and went to silencer which is damn near same product. Very good company “Silncer!” Why go back to Autopage? used to love them but very dissappointed. Business is business, lack of trust.
Thanks CEOUTLOOK for the knowledge. Being a Autopage Dealer they never even gave us the commin curtsy to call us and warn us or thank us for the many years of given them Thousands of dollars and support.