#SDL
9 messages in this thread
SDL, the UK distributor for Amiga, has gone into liquidation. The company is
"trading as normal" and has three months to "restructure".
ATUK isn't too concerned. "It's just a blip," I was assured.
Jeff Walker, JAM magazine
jwalker@cix.compulink.co.uk
Jeff,
Does this liquidation include the Silica retail arm? Can you flesh out the
story a bit, as I was away ten days.
I've had an account with them since the days of my Atari 800 – i.e the one
before the 800XL!
Can't anyone get through this recession unscathed?
Regards,
John
Yes, it is Prodis plc (trading as SDL UK and Silica) which has gone into
administration.
The company and the shops are currently trading as normal while the
administrators (Casson Beckman & Partners 0171-387 2888) try to save Prodis
from liquidation. I suppose some of the Silica Shops may have to close.
SDL/Silica's business was mainly Amiga. Commodore got into trouble. Amiga stuff
stopped selling. SDL/Silica decided it needed another line. It chose the wrong
console. It got into severe cashflow problems.
However, if Amiga sells well, SDL/Silica should pull through. It's a decent
company with decent management, well worth saving, so my guess is that most
people will want to help rather than hinder the rescue attempt. ATUK is
certainly not running scared.
Jeff Walker, Just Amiga Monthly
jeff@jam-magazine.compulink.co.uk
Thanks for the info, Jeff.
I agree, it is a good company. They were always very obliging, and
their back-up service was excellent.
I also hope they pull through. They haven't been too lucky with both
the ST and then the Amiga going down the pan.
Looking forward to the next JAM. I trust you had (or are having) that much
needed rest.
Regards,
John
Atari 800, cool 🙂 A friend of mine had an XE ( I think ), I just remember the
cool jeff minter games 🙂
Phill
> I've had an account with them since the days of my Atari 800 – i.e the
> one before the 800XL!
I remember going to Silica to buy an Atari 400. They were showing Star Raiders
on a big screen TV. I left the shop with the 400, Star Raiders and a joystick.
Silica is the only surviving shop near me that still sells Amiga non-game
software. Last time I was there they had a lot of PCs and a few Sony
Playstations and still a good range of Amiga software. I would hate to see them
go.
Peter Wade
Autopiloting from London, England
Ah, Star Raiders. I too remember seeing this on a giant screen TV.
When you stop to think about it, it's still a good game – and they
did it in 8K not 8Mb 🙂 We used to put it on a 28 inch TV (er, sorry, 66cm)
years after we bought the cartridge, because it did give a good space flight
sensation. After all, Wing Commander was really only the same thing, spruced
up a bit.
Just showing my age.
> After all, Wing Commander was really only the same thing, spruced up a
> bit.
Wing Commander has the flashy graphics and the stirring music, but Star Raiders
has playability. Maybe I'm just slowing down with age but I find the asteroid
fields in Wing Commander unplayable. I can only get through them by sheer luck.
Peter Wade
Autopiloting from London, England