Been over a year since I first went to visit Tonkin Replicas Europe and so it was about time to once again meet.
Friday, August 15th, I traveled with my best (Caterpillar) Friend Ad Gevers and a box "Zeeuwse" sweet rolls (the bolussen were sold out!) off to Montfoort to arrive shortly after noon at been warmly welcomed by Joris and Joost. Joost since March 1th, 2014 joined the European team and is responsible for Finance & Operations. Thankfully no "smartly dressed bookkeeper" but a young guy who is just like us completely weird of scale models.
It is clear to everyone that in the first year Tonkin Replicas started with producing Caterpillar scale models they have not been standing still. In fact after the first announcement in 2013 of a large wheel loader program there are currently already 19 Caterpillar scale models of all machine types in the 1:50th and 1:87th range available or in the pipeline to be released.
In addition, also Kobelco, Link Belt, Nooteboom, KAMAG and Nicoloas have been added to the program. Because some of these manufacturers use Caterpillar components, such as Engines in their 1:1 machines, we are also waiting anxiously what surprises this are going to bring.
Furthermore the close collaboration with the Dutch company Tekno, known worldwide for their excellent truck and trailers in 1:50th scale, since the beginning of 2014, will certainly contribute to a higher quality and detail of the scale models Tonkin Replicas the coming period will be producing.
Tonkin Replicas has set the bar high for themselves and is constantly busy to produce better Scale Models. Therefore it is nice that they listen to the collectors and also give us the opportunity to share our experiences with them. I am also critical about some of the newly released models, but I am convinced that the interplay of Caterpillar and Tonkin Replicas have to grow and how simple things can sometimes appear to be that there was no other choice than to produce the model, while we must not lose sight of the fact that all these Caterpillar scale models are unfortunately not initially created for us as collectors but just for marketing purposes of Caterpillar. Take it from me that Tonkin Replicas perfectly can develop, produce and deliver Scale models.
Today we were allowed to see the prototypes of the announced Caterpillar D6R XL Dozer and both Caterpillar 621K and 627K Wheel Tractor-Scrapers and I can unfortunately, due to the stringent requirements of Caterpillar, share no further pictures with you, but I can you tell that Ad Gevers looked like a little boy on his first visit in a candy store!!!
It is expected that, when Caterpillar give their final approval to the announced models, most models will be available in your diecast scale model store or webshop before the upcoming christmas holidays. Of course we can expect some surprises, but how well we did our best and tried to distract Joris and Joost both gentlemen unfortunately did not leave us alone for a moment so Ad and I could not have a sneak look in the office cabinets or hack their computers. But there are some new announcements in the pipeline that was obvious.
So we all have to wait and see.....-)
At the end of the afternoon we were friendly urged to return home, because Joris and Joost had an eye on that we otherwise still had been there until today.
Ad and Wouter
