Thoughts? Steinjager bought Ace Engineering assets

[TheRealGinjaNinja]

Alright... so I've returned from the Steinjager/Ace Engineering manufacturing plant, just now... and I gotta say, I'm actually feeling better, now, than I was before this whole thing.

After chatting with John, and their foreman, Steinjager has actually gotten all of Ace's equipment added to their already insane amount of manufacturing machines, and have been working on the rather significant number of backordered ACE parts. We got to see the entire process, from essentially start to finish, and can 100% confirm they're producing a rather substantial amount of parts.

How many? Well, here's a few photos:

These are JUST finsihed and unfinished sliders, upperdeckers, and bed racks. These aren't even the photos of the Ace bumpers, and all of the other parts they've got stocked.

The entire process is fascinating, watching everything that goes into making the parts, really sort of puts it all into perspective. In the first photo, the 2 guys in the back are actually packing up my sliders, there... which was also a rather amazing packing job. They're discussing moving away from the expanding foam packing method, since, due to the weight of the parts, the foam isn't really sturdy enough. So, they're currently using a wooden frame method for shipping (note, I told them they didn't have to be super careful with the packing.. I actually was just expecting to grab the sliders, themselves, and toss them in the back.. lol:

What you can't see in the photo, is that the wooden frame actually consists of 3 layers of framing... so the frame is like this:

FRAME
SLIDER
FRAME
SLIDER
FRAME

SO the sliders don't really even come into contact with the outside of the box.

As for the shipping home, finding a way to lock them down, was actually a non-issue, due to the frame inside the box. Just ran ratcheting straps from one of the front bed hooks, around the end of the wooden frame (cut a hole in the box) and then back around to the other front bed hook.

3 hour trip, no shifting.

As for installation photos, the plan is to install them, this weekend, perhaps.


Now, as for the business side of things, I was told they're likely going to keep the Ace and Steinjager brand, simply due to the fact they are 2 separate types of parts, and the goal is to add more rugged heavy duty parts to the Ace brand.. basically, they don't want to pollute either brand with the other.

Fun fact, too... apparently Steinjager is an offshoot brand for the company, originally designed to keep the workers productive, when their commercial business ebbs and flows. They're ISO certified, and their primary business, has always been building parts for large scale construction and farming equipment. (CAT and Deere, are 2 series of commercial parts being manufactured while there)

All in all.. definitely feeling better about the acquisition, now, than before


~ Casp

Awesome report thanks for this! I am interested to know what they mean by "more rugged heavy duty parts to the Ace brand"...their shit is pretty heavy duty to begin with lol.

Cheers

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[Caspien]

Awesome report thanks for this! I am interested to know what they mean by "more rugged heavy duty parts to the Ace brand"...their shit is pretty heavy duty to begin with lol.

Cheers

Basically, they want all of their future "rugged" parts to be under the Ace brand, is all, and not the steinjager brand, which tends to be more budget friendly.

Thus, they don't want to muddy the water by putting budget friendly stuff in with Ace, and heavy duty in with Steinjager, so 2 separate brands.


~Casp

 

[shrinkhead]

all I can say is bummer for the guys at ACE but the sliders are the real deal. I have them now and was planning to get another set once these are "done" in a season or two. The MOPAR ones look decent too they came out with recently that serve as step as well

 

[heftysmurf]

Blah. Just spoke with John and I was hopeful after @Caspien post. Unfortunately he said, “the bumpers aren’t even in production and could be another 6 weeks” to which I replied that he told me that 6 weeks ago. He apologized and I’m sure he’s a nice enough guy but that’s it. Canceled my order.

called up LOD and I should get my bumper next week.

 

[Caspien]

Blah. Just spoke with John and I was hopeful after @Caspien post. Unfortunately he said, “the bumpers aren’t even in production and could be another 6 weeks” to which I replied that he told me that 6 weeks ago. He apologized and I’m sure he’s a nice enough guy but that’s it. Canceled my order.

called up LOD and I should get my bumper next week.

To be FAIR, I'd not seen any of the Ace bumpers being worked on, while we were there. I did see some of the tube type of bumpers that are produced under the Steinjager brand, however.


Still, I'll be interested in how your LOD ones come out. Been on the fence about getting OEM Rubicon steel, or an aftermarket. I like the idea of convertible end caps, but that extra weight, on top of the rest of the stuff I want to add, just makes me a cringe a bit. (Not to mention, for the same price, there are some decent heavy duty aluminum ones out there, that weigh less. But then you DO lose the OEM LED lights (which, I'm actually quite happy with)

(Sliders are due to be installed, next Monday... front passenger bolt is extremely tight, and we were unable to break it free with a 36" breaker... so the dealership is going to do it, and then detail the entire gladiator for $140..... can't complain with that pricing, I suppose) *shrug*

~ Casp

 

[heftysmurf]

To be FAIR, I'd not seen any of the Ace bumpers being worked on, while we were there. I did see some of the tube type of bumpers that are produced under the Steinjager brand, however.


Still, I'll be interested in how your LOD ones come out. Been on the fence about getting OEM Rubicon steel, or an aftermarket. I like the idea of convertible end caps, but that extra weight, on top of the rest of the stuff I want to add, just makes me a cringe a bit. (Not to mention, for the same price, there are some decent heavy duty aluminum ones out there, that weigh less. But then you DO lose the OEM LED lights (which, I'm actually quite happy with)

(Sliders are due to be installed, next Monday... front passenger bolt is extremely tight, and we were unable to break it free with a 36" breaker... so the dealership is going to do it, and then detail the entire gladiator for $140..... can't complain with that pricing, I suppose) *shrug*

~ Casp

The LOD was by chance. Called to ask lead time and they said they’ve got 3 in stock so it was done! Especially after I was told free shipping and 10% off currently. My wish list was stubby with fog holes and winch compatible. I really wanted the winch between the rails but ill live. Used mine on my JK like 5 times in 5 years.

I hear you about not seeing bumpers. I was just hopeful as those pics looked like they were moving right along. I’ll be sure to get pics when I get this critter.

Bummer about the snug bolt. I was shaking when doing my RH sliders but followed the break a bit, tighten if I feel resistance. So each bolt took some time. But I agree! Put the onus on the dealer!


Be well!

 

[Mitoni]

I was just answering someone who asked about the sliders I have on my JT. Looks like I got them at the right time, as I ordered mine at the end of April, 2021 and paid $787 (with a free shipping coupon), and as of today 12/14/21, they are listed at $1240. That's a pretty big increase for 7-8 months... I was honestly shocked.

 

[TheRealGinjaNinja]

I was just answering someone who asked about the sliders I have on my JT. Looks like I got them at the right time, as I ordered mine at the end of April, 2021 and paid $787 (with a free shipping coupon), and as of today 12/14/21, they are listed at $1240. That's a pretty big increase for 7-8 months... I was honestly shocked.

Unfortunately, pricing for all of their stuff has gone through the roof. Literally everything I bought from them previously has gone up 2x to 4x more. Really sad but this happens in acquisitions especially when a subpar business buys a good one. Ace is pretty much done because of Steinjager in my book considering their manufacturing delays and absurd pricing, which is even worse than ADD now.

 

[jeepers29]

Unfortunately, pricing for all of their stuff has gone through the roof. Literally everything I bought from them previously has gone up 2x to 4x more. Really sad but this happens in acquisitions especially when a subpar business buys a good one. Ace is pretty much done because of Steinjager in my book considering their manufacturing delays and absurd pricing, which is even worse than ADD now.

Yep, whem I bought my ace sliders for our 14 JKUR, I paid under $400. prices now are stupif. Hoping the Ace guys start a new business.

 

[Deadeye]

Yep, whem I bought my ace sliders for our 14 JKUR, I paid under $400. prices now are stupif. Hoping the Ace guys start a new business.

Not excusing the delays, but depending on the grade and configuration, steel has gone up as much as 10x. For their grades, it’s probably legitimately spike at least 400%.

I’ll add that I bought an upper decker early 21.! Lived close enough to just make an afternoon ride and get it installed. They really half-assed the seals and had outsourced a lot of manufacturing to China, I believe. I don’t think the ACE of old was still around at that time.

 

[07052021]

Not excusing the delays, but depending on the grade and configuration, steel has gone up as much as 10x. For their grades, it’s probably legitimately spike at least 400%.

I’ll add that I bought an upper decker early 21.! Lived close enough to just make an afternoon ride and get it installed. They really half-assed the seals and had outsourced a lot of manufacturing to China, I believe. I don’t think the ACE of old was still around at that time.

Have steel prices come back down? Do we think Ace reduces their prices once they do? Really want their sliders for $1350 (w/ tax) is toughhh

 

[LTCSlacker]

I'm selling my Upper Decker and custom rack for it, if anyone is interested. Pricing based on what I paid (not what a new one cost before the stopped making them).

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/...ker-and-tent-tent-bars-overlanding-rig.73470/

 

[Phishs]

I have a set of Ace sliders on my JT that I plan on selling whenever my 2024 comes in.

 

[jeepers29]

I have a set of Ace sliders on my JT that I plan on selling whenever my 2024 comes in.

Please let me know when you are ready to sell.

 

[Phishs]

Please let me know when you are ready to sell.

Jeep took off the HD sliders from my order so I decided to keep the Ace ones.

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