WHAT WILL THE END RESULT BE???
Dave Higginbottom is no ordinary 35 year old Southern California body shop owner. Early last year, he took on an enormous challenge…to try and buy the computer manufacturing and marketing rights from Timex. A personal project that has been both time consuming and financially draining.
The Higginbottom story has been circulating around for some time now in the Timex/Sinclair Users circles, and printed in just about every newsletter. It has given TS Users (especially 2068 owners) a remote sense of hope for the future. When I talked to Dave on the phone recently, he told me, “when I first proposed my plan, I had hoped to keep the interest in TS Computers alive (after the Timex announcement)…and if this turns out to be the only result, I’ll feel that it’s been worth it.”
High level business dealings are in no way a new setting for Dave Higginbottom. A few years ago, he and a couple associates formed Magnum Industries, for the purpose of developing and marketing an original electric car design. Dave, dressed in a three-piece suit, aggressively tried to sell the idea to financers and potential customers. This same fervor, is still very evident today, in the Timex dealings.
As a devoted father, Dave Higginbottom bought his first computer with his family in mind. It was a Timex Sinclair 1000 that he found for $35 at a local department store. After some reluctance about the machines usefulness, and some self-experimentation, he eventually came to the conclusion that, “I liked it!” Later, when the first TS 2068 reached the market, he went out and bought one of those also. Some ideas began clicking in his mind, and soon he had worked up some plans of selling a system package featuring the 2068 as the basis of it. This was almost an extension of the old Magnum Industries days. This is also where Dave came into contact with the less-than-optimum marketing structure of the Timex Computer Corp. Like the time he tried to obtain some computers from the Timex sales rep., and found that the same computer was available for much less from a local discount store. He had just lined up a deal with an organization in Los Angeles, to buy quite a few of the TS 2068 systems, when the bad news from Timex was aired. He then had to go back to his customers and tell them, “you know those computers that you really liked? Well, they just quit making them.”
Then it began. Mostly out of curiosity. Dave called up Timex, and asked them, “who was going to take over the marketing rights to their computers?” They replied, “no one.” Dave then told them that he was interested in obtaining the rights. Timex responded by asking, “are you sure you want to do that Dave?” At this point, he was sure. From here, he went on to form a small legal corporation called Trinity Magnum. He contacted some 57 Timex/Sinclair third-party vendors that had stuck it out, and asked for a pledge in support of his proposal. He devised a very detailed plan on how he would sell the computers. Then he went back to Timex with his Research and information.
I asked Dave in our phone conversation, if at any time, Timex appeared to be sorry for departing from the computer market? (I guess half-heartedly hoping to hear that they were tearfully repentant.) Dave told me, “yes and no. There was one (un-named) person that told me…that if I had only brought my information on support and marketing plans to them a couple of weeks before the announcement, they probably would have reconsidered…but they had also lost a few dollars over their computers.”
Perhaps the most interesting part of the Higginbottom story, is the flair in which Dave will approach the market with his computers, when and if he does finalize a deal with Timex. You probably thought what Timex had planned for the TS 2068 was appealing. But wait until you hear what Dave Higginbottom has in store.
First, a network of franchise-style, owner-operated retail outlets, would be established called “Little Computer Stores.” Each store owner would have certain voting privileges in Trinity Magnum, and would in fact be a form of a partnership. Dave told me that he currently has 100 individuals that want “Little Computer Stores.”
Then the Timex/Sinclair 2068 would be re-named the TimeStar 2068. “The TimeStar would be our companies over-all generic computer,” Dave said. “Actually, there will be four different models, all based on the 2068.” One of the other models would be an entry level business computer called the “TimePro.” It is proposed to have a professional keyboard with a total of 96 keys, including 15 function keys. “A semi-colon would be where it is supposed to be,” reported Dave. The TimePro, along with all four models will use the extended Sinclair Basic that is very familiar to TS 2068 Users, and the one-touch keyword entry system.
Along with the TimeStar computer line, each “Little Computer Store” would feature a variety of hardware and software support. “What would you think of 2,000 to 3,000 software titles in each store?” Dave asked. He went on to tell me that each store would be specially liscensed to procure the software, and reproduce it in the store, on several different formats, including disk, cassette, waffer, or ROM cartridge. This would greatly reduce the cost of maintaining a large volume of stock on hand. Also sophisticated programming languages like Forth, C, and Pascal would be offered on ROM pack Cartridges. CP/M Software is also slated for a cartridge.
Dave also asked me, “how would you like to be able to run all of Commodore’s software on the TimeStar?…It’s possible with an interface and using Commodore’s disk drive and disk software. There is a company right now that has an interface that allows you to do this with the 2068.” He also added, “most people are afraid to buy a computer because it might become obsolete. With what we are proposing for the TimeStar…it will be known as the timeless little computer.”
At the last report, Dave told me that negotiations with Timex were still “hot.” There was a tentative closing date of December 31, but that has been extended somewhat. The obvious obstacle for Dave Higginbottom, is coming up with the capital, and that amounts to nearly 22 million! This includes the possible acquisition of a floppy disk drive company in California, along with it’s Singapore manufacturing facility.
Dave has a lending group going over the financing at present, and has prepared a 200 page document detailing his plans to support his loan request. He has gathered together an entourage of personnel to assist him with the project. “I’ve brought together some of the best experts in all the areas (lawyers, programmers, engineers, marketing specialists, ect.),” Dave told me.
I asked Dave, if anyone has ever called him “mad”? He replied by saying, “crazy is probably the better word. I get used to that… I will say this though. No one has ever been able to spend more than ten minutes with me (discussing the proposals)…and shoot my ideas down. I’m not afraid of pot shots.” And Dave is right. I must confess, that I had previously had some predetermined skepticism, but after spending well over and hour on the phone with him, listening to all the details…he soon had even me believing. I guess it must be Dave’s enthusiasm and sincerety. I could tell that he has related his ideas perhaps several hundred times. It would take several more magazine pages to mention everything that he told me about his dealings with Timex.
Finally I asked Dave, what he would like to see occur in the next few weeks ahead? He replied by saying, “I want to get my loan!” We at Time Designs Magazine hope you do so Dave. But whatever the end result may be, we wish you the best of luck. We also have to say “thank you” for sticking up for all the dedicated Timex/Sinclair enthusiasts out there.