Have just been told aqua are in the process of stopping? Is this true? Anyone shed any light on it?
Hardly surprising. The quality has been awful for years.
In reply to Post #1
Part of the Cipher Group which was Trakker, Cygnet & Aqua. Aqua haven't existed as a company since 2016.
Aqua isn't anywhere near the standard of yesteryear and unless they were thinking of relaunching a "premium" product, which lets face it would be hard to do given the profile and price point of Trakker, it would probably make sense to bring it all under the one.
Sad if true if one of the "old school" labels goes but in reality Aqua has probably run its course to be fair.
Part of the Cipher Group which was Trakker, Cygnet & Aqua. Aqua haven't existed as a company since 2016.
Aqua isn't anywhere near the standard of yesteryear and unless they were thinking of relaunching a "premium" product, which lets face it would be hard to do given the profile and price point of Trakker, it would probably make sense to bring it all under the one.
Sad if true if one of the "old school" labels goes but in reality Aqua has probably run its course to be fair.
Wouldn't surprise me,Cygnet were bought under the Trakker brand as it were. Aqua could go the same way also. Streamlining I think they call it. 
There last submitted accounts make interesting reading...... 
In reply to Post #5
As do a lot of fishing tackle company's and dealers. Tough times and massive levels of stock.
As do a lot of fishing tackle company's and dealers. Tough times and massive levels of stock.
In reply to Post #6
As do a lot of other business in any other industry lol
As do a lot of other business in any other industry lol
Let's face it Aqua has been trading off its old school quality reputation for years. When in actual fact most of what was sold since the Manifold days wasn't fit to carry the badge. Just more over priced Chinese tat but with an extra slice of premium price for the tackle slags.
Trackers whole ethos when they started mass production of the Dillos was basically “Aqua only cheaper and a bit *****r” and it seems they've taken that mantra all the way to its destruction then.
Trackers whole ethos when they started mass production of the Dillos was basically “Aqua only cheaper and a bit *****r” and it seems they've taken that mantra all the way to its destruction then.
All my soft gear is Aqua Union Jack or earlier blue label - bivvys, bags, slings, mats and some clothing. All have stood the test of time and are still going strong. I have non of the newer stuff and have no intention of having any either. Under the Trakker/Cypher brand it went downhill fast.
In reply to Post #1
Sad but as suggested inevitable if true. . . as for Chinese tat this applies to ALL the major brands and is not just limited to Aqua who have been living off the CM reputation longer than expected!
In truth I've had quite a few original Aqua products in the past; Blue Label & Union Jack (1 & 2man Dillos / Extended Wraps / Super Extended Wraps) and whilst at the time they were a cut above the rest I think a lot still view them through rose tinted glasses when directly comparing to todays offerings . . . for example the current Ultralite is IMO an improved variant compared to the original in lots of ways, irrespective of whether it was made in a Qingdao sweatshop or hand stitched by Dawn out the back of Stapeley Angling. . .
Either way it looks like I may have to buy another one quick!
Sad but as suggested inevitable if true. . . as for Chinese tat this applies to ALL the major brands and is not just limited to Aqua who have been living off the CM reputation longer than expected!
In truth I've had quite a few original Aqua products in the past; Blue Label & Union Jack (1 & 2man Dillos / Extended Wraps / Super Extended Wraps) and whilst at the time they were a cut above the rest I think a lot still view them through rose tinted glasses when directly comparing to todays offerings . . . for example the current Ultralite is IMO an improved variant compared to the original in lots of ways, irrespective of whether it was made in a Qingdao sweatshop or hand stitched by Dawn out the back of Stapeley Angling. . .
Either way it looks like I may have to buy another one quick!
In reply to Post #10
Christ I went to Chris when he was in Crewe -before Stapeley in the days of the first bivvy's and bed covers!
Christ I went to Chris when he was in Crewe -before Stapeley in the days of the first bivvy's and bed covers!
Sad, but this is the way of business these days. Smaller/independent companies innovate and spot gaps and then get bought up by the bigger companies who then want maximum bangs for bucks and 💩 all over the legacy of the original company and their products. Happened to Hutchinson, Nutrabaits to name 2.
In reply to Post #1
Why would they just be about to release the MK4 armo then?
Why would they just be about to release the MK4 armo then?
Not closing down at all,getting rid of current range and doing big product release towards end of the year
In reply to Post #13
Got a notification from the Tackle Tavern about pre ordering the Mk4 last night as it happens
Stapeley, that takes me back
Got a notification from the Tackle Tavern about pre ordering the Mk4 last night as it happens
Stapeley, that takes me back