Red RC » Hobbico

April 3, 2018

Hobbico continues as Horizon Hobby

Following a first article in The News-Gazette, a Champaign, Illinois based newspaper, Hobbico have announced that they will continue under the Horizon Hobby banner after a bankruptcy court judge approved Horizon Hobby’s purchase of Hobbico’s RC business. Hobbico declared bankruptcy in January 2018 and has initiated a sale process that sees the Great Planes and Tower Hobbies divisions, along with Axial and Arrma brands now being bought by Horizon Hobby. Hobbico employees must reapply for their jobs at Horizon Hobby before the purchase is completed this coming Friday. In a first statement Hobbico had the following to say:

[…] We are excited to share with you that the RC brands from Hobbico that you have come to rely on over the years will continue. The Bankruptcy Court has approved the sale of Hobbico’s RC business to Horizon Hobby, LLC. Horizon Hobby has been in business since 1985 and serves customers in the United States and around the World. Horizon Hobby also maintains a strong online presence and warmly welcomes Hobbico customers to its growing family. With this acquisition, Horizon Hobby looks to build upon Hobbico’s great reputation for providing quality RC products to customers across the country. […]

An official statement by Horizon Hobby is awaited after the sale closes.

Source: Hobbico [hobbico.com] & The News-Gazette [news-gazette.com]

January 11, 2018

Hobbico files for bankruptcy

After month of rumour on social media and certain news sites over the health of Hobbico, the company announced on the 10th of January that they are filing for restructuring under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code and that they are pursuing a process to sell or restructure the company. Hobbico will continue to operate the business throughout the bankruptcy process. Numerous companies across a range of industries (automotive, airlines, etc.) use this type of filing as a tool to get costs under control, create stability and build platforms for growth. Hobbico intends to use the bankruptcy filing and a possible sale of the business to reduce their debt, restructure their liabilities, attract new investors and position the company for future growth. Hobbico carefully evaluated this vs. a number of other actions and concluded this was the best path forward.

Read the full statement here

August 18, 2017

Hobbico to end Team Durango brand

Ongoing speculation about the destiny of the formerly very popular Team Durango brand has ended following a somewhat hidden statement on social media this week. In the past month Team Durango drivers had to cope with parts shortages and diminishing support, something that sort of found its beginning with the cancellation of all team activities for the 2015 season. Hobbico states that their ARRMA RTR brand, whose 1/8th electric buggies and trucks were the platform for Team Durango’s last generation of competition kits, is still alive and kicking with more to await from the proactive brand. Hobbico’s “official” statements reads like this:

Due to market conditions, the Team Durango product line has been discontinued and we will receive no further product shipments. (We do have some parts inventory remaining and available for a limited time.) We thank all Team Durango customers and team members for their dedication to Team Durango.

Source: Track13News [facebook.com]

October 31, 2014

Star Plug T-type high-current connectors

New from Hobbico come the Star Plug T-type high-current connectors. Compatible with the iconic Deans Ultra Plug they sport an updated design that does away with the need to use shrink tube on the exposed terminals as they are covered by a snap-on back cap cover. A tapered shape and grip strips make for fast and easy separation of the male and female part while gold-plated male terminals allow for excellent conductivity and nickel-plated female terminals improve wear resistance and life. The plugs are usable with up to 12AWG wire when using the back covers and with thicker 10AWG wire without covers.

Click here to view another photo

January 9, 2012

Hobbico acquires Axial, Team Durango & Arrma

Big news tonight with Hobbico, Inc. announcing that they have acquired the Axial, Team Durango and Arrma brands. Axial will continue to operate as an independent company from its facility in Irvine, California, while Team Durango and Arrma will also continue independently from their current offices in Ashby, Leicestershire, UK. The product lines will continue to be available through a worldwide network of distributors. “We’re proud to bring these strong product lines into the Hobbico family,” said Wayne Hemming, President of Hobbico. “I’m particularly happy to welcome the teams of talented professionals at Axial, Team Durango and Arrma and look forward to the innovative products that they are developing.” “I’m excited about this new affiliation with Hobbico,” said Jeff Johns, General Manager of Axial R/C Inc., “This will give Axial additional resources to continue our rapid growth.” “I look forward to working with Durango and Arrma staff as well as those within Hobbico to continue to introduce innovative and successful products. This is an exciting step which we are sure will help take us to the next level” said Jason Dearden, Managing Director of Arrma Durango, Ltd.

Source: Hobbico [hobbico.com]

February 10, 2010

LiFeSource 200mAh 6.6V LiFe receiver battery

The new LiFeSource 200mAh 6.6V LiFe receiver battery is perfect for powering receivers for 1/10 and 1/12 scale racing where a 1S LiPo is used as a power pack. Featuring a universal connector it’s tiny 30 x 23 x 12mm size allows it to fit inside the smallest of spaces and at 15 grams, it’s among the lightest Rx batteries ever produced. LiFeSource lithium-iron phosphate battery technology offers very high energy density, very light weights and the longest cycle life of any batteries sold for RC.

Source: Hobbico [hobbico.com]

October 27, 2009

Hobbico LifeSource LiFe 6.6V 10C RX packs

Not only are the new Hobbico LifeSource LiFe 6.6V 10C RX battery packs environmentally friendly because they contain no nickel or cadmium, but they’re the safest lithium iron packs around. LifeSource battery packs retain all the advantages of lithium technology like excellent discharge curves, quick charging, higher voltage and lighter weight but without the danger. Available in 1100mAh, 1800mAh, 2100mAh and 3200mAh the packs include three discharge leads, two with universal Rx plugs and one with a Deans ultra female plug. LifeSource battery packs are extremely safe and have no propensity to catch fire.

Source: Hobbico [hobbico.com]

May 18, 2007

Hobbico CS-170 Digital Titanium gear Servo

Hobbico have just introduced their new ultra high torque servo, the CS-170, which has been custom designed to withstand the extreme punishment that today’s 1/8 buggies, truggies and other cars produce.

This beast has it all including an incredible 333 oz./in. of torque at 6.0 volts, digital precision, enormous holding power and the strongest Titanium gears available. The features don’t end there with strong hardened steel gear pins and dual ball bearings for superior strength and wear resistance and are all encased in an extruded aluminum servo case. To finish the package off, it includes beefed up control arms.

Source: Hobbico [hobbico.com]