inside Model Factory Hiro

[NewTom]

inside Model Factory Hiro!!
found these videos yesterday, check them out, well worth it!!
mostly in Japanese with English subtitle.

part 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BpH3mGRkTjw

part 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqyK6u5ZTmA

enjoy!

T

[Veyron]

You'd think that as advanced as they appear to be in their processes that they could make a kit where the body panels would fit.

The most interesting point of the vids to me is that they are considering making plastic kits.

[CrateCruncher]

Wow, that was a nice pair of video's.

Veyron you have a point. I hope Hiro-san will try building his own models occasionally. That might improve things faster than bitchy emails from us.

He didn't mention it but he pays licensing fees to Ferrari, Classic Team Lotus, Porsche etc. I hope he's pushing on them for more dimensional data. I think that will be key to improving detail accuracy, and lowering his development costs. Heck, it may even improve part fit.

He was pretty open about his new operation. Compared to the photo's of the old factory circulating on the net his employees have definately moved up in the world! I guess that huge dog got fired for slackin?

I was a little worried he had expanded at a really bad time in the business cycle but he appears pretty confident. The exchange rate must be killing him right now too. His average kit has gone up 15% just in the last 6 months and they recently announced production of only 70 kits per variation on their newest releases - not their usual 200.

One thing that surprised me was his admission that he only selects models he likes, not what modelers want. At first that sounded really arrogant to me, but after thinking about it I changed my mind. Maybe he feels he has such a broad knowledge of subjects that he can pick stuff we would want to build if we knew about them rather than playing leap frog with competitors over the same overproduced subjects. I think this is a reason for his success as a high end, small volume producer. Obviously, picking the right subjects consistently is critical to staying alive.

When I think about all the high-end, low volume model companies that have bit the dust over the years (Climax, Feeling43, Pocher...) it makes it all the more impressive that this company has not only beaten the odds so far but that they can produce so many subjects in such a short period of time. I hope they stay around for a long, long, time.

[360spider]

Saw the videos on HLJ about a month ago. Nice!
Kinda gives you an insight about the whole operation.

I also tired of reading about MFH bad fit issues, and inaccuracy. Yes, we all know that the fit can be bad, and sometimes their kits are far from being 100% accurate. But if you think about the complexity of their kits, and realize what is involved into designing a kit like that, especially when they have nothing but pictures and few dimensions (for older cars), its amazing they do what they do.

[stevenoble]

When you see what is involved in producing one of their kits you can sort of comprehend why they cost so much. I was amazed at how little of the molten white metal it took to produce the parts in the mould, only about a quarter of a ladle full, amazing. Also that tyre making machine was awesome, I'd love one of those at home..!!!

[ZoomZoomMX-5]

I'm with Veyron, I'm not impressed with ultra-expensive models packed with detail that fail to provide body panel fitment that is expected in $10 kits. I think they can do better...a lot better, in fact. 90% of the problems are because they use white metal as a crutch. I own one MFH kit, not impressed at all with the body. The white metal/resin hybrid has sucked the fun right out of it, for me. And I like doing bodywork...

They do so much that is impressive, that it's even more a letdown when I see the body fit issues. I'm more into design than detail. The little MFH Porsche kit does capture that car incredibly well. My only comment about it is the fact it's still very expensive for what it is.

[jano11]

Originally Posted by CrateCruncher

I was a little worried he had expanded at a really bad time in the business cycle but he appears pretty confident. The exchange rate must be killing him right now too. His average kit has gone up 15% just in the last 6 months and they recently announced production of only 70 kits per variation on their newest releases - not their usual 200.

IMO it's just about the right time to start or develop a business given that workforce and materials price is low now.

Also announcing that they produce only 70 of each kit is a good tactic that will sell the kits even at high price and whether they produce 70 or 200 only they know it exactly.

[tpliquid]

nice brabused out smart out front

[CrateCruncher]

Well I love Hiro kits and although I now have several of them I'm just now getting around to building my first one. It had an issue with the front motor mounts and a part or two out of scale but pretty minor stuff really. The body of the Testa Rossa kit is really good although a bit thick. But I also realize this kit was their first high detail release (I might be wrong here) and it doesn't reflect their current place on the learning curve or any changes they've made in quality along the way. Unless you are specifically interested in the Hiro Testa Rossa is it even relevant any more? Whats more important is that at every few steps in the build-up I just gasp at how awesome things look overall. The combination of metals and finishes along with the high detail and cool subject just make it very satisfying to build a full detail Hiro for me. whats that worth?

Out of a dozen kits I have 2 have obvious and difficult body fit issues that cross the line with me (330P4 and 362). Both are total white metal bodies and high detail and the rest of each kit is awesome. The question I have is how is their stuff now? Has it gotten better or worse. I have been happy to see many of their newer releases have bodies molded in thin white resin. Nothing but injected plastic is better for a body in my opinion.

I'd be interested in knowing what others think of some of the latest kits being released like th March, Lotus 99T, 49 etc.

[kingkai]

I'm quite happy with owning 6 DBR-9 kits of MFH! and ofcourse some rennaissance and spark DBR-9's

[jano11]

Originally Posted by stevenoble

Also that tyre making machine was awesome, I'd love one of those at home..!!!

I'd rather have one of those 3D printers!