This comes from Aaron (owner of Outmotoring)
As much as none of us wanted to hear this bad news, MINI fini has officially closed as of the first week in September. Apparently they had too many challenges relating to business structure and leadership and had to throw in the towel after struggling with how to shift the business to new owners, etc.
I have been in close contact with one of the originators, and at the time the lone employee of the company, over the last few weeks and months and have heard first hand the struggles that they went through.
They have a great product and great distribution but the dissolution of the company had nothing to do with the product or any lack of performance or sales. It was due to some internal challenges that they prefer to not disclose.
So, it sounds like the announcement has been made to MINI and unless a knight in shining armor comes along who just happens to have a warehouse, manufacturing facility, luck, staff, customer service staff, skilled tradesman, MINI related knowledge, product development skills, time, money, talent, patience and anything else it would take to get the company back on it’s feet, we will most likely NOT see any more MINIfini products made in the future. All production and distribution has ceased.
We plan on buying out most of the rest of their inventory which will be a handful of Tow Links, Cup Links and some Bike Racks. After its gone, that’s it.
…anyways, as soon as we physically get the inventory (assuming that does not fall through) we will put it up for sale on our site. MINI USA has a bunch of Sport Links and Bike Racks but no Tow Links or cup links, based on my understanding. No Ski racks will make it to the market at this point.
MF Analysis: Certainly a sad day for fans of well designed and expertly engineered products. MINI-Fini was a different kind of accessories company. One that put emphasis on well designed well built products that were elegant solutions to every day problems. They were also one of the few companies to crack into the official accessory business with MINIUSA. A big thanks to Aaron from Outmotoring for keeping on top of this news and keeping the product in the channels.
As always, you can buy MINI-Fini accessories through Outmotoring (while supplies last).
Related:
[ MINI-Fini Cup Link System Reviewed ] MotoringFile
<p>Hmmn, I think that the only thing that your company doesn’t have, Gabe, is the manufacturing. That would be easy enough to find I think.</p>
<p>I kinda’ had a feeling that this was going to happen after all the delays. That’s one of the reasons I was unwilling to buy the Sport Link without being able to buy the Tow Link at the same time.</p>
<p>I would hope someone would buy the rights to the designs at a fire sale price and start producing them at a bit more reasonable price. It would be a shame for all the design work on them to just dissapear into the ether just because the original business wasn’t viable. I still think the Sport Link / Tow Link is the best solution for a MCS tow hitch that I have seen.</p>
<p>The cuplink will be forever. They are everywhere. People with grey rubber erector set cup holders drool over the raw functionality of the MINI Fini designed cuplink found in most 04 MINIs. Viva MINI Fini! </p>
<p>RIP MINI Fini.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>The cuplink will be forever. They are everywhere. People with grey rubber erector set cup holders drool over the raw functionality of the MINI Fini designed cuplink found in most 04 MINIs. Viva MINI Fini!</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Yeah that’s totally true. I can’t believe i game mine away. The 2005 version is laughable in comparison.</p>
<p>Why did Mini let them fail?</p>
<p>Not to rip on Mini Fini, but it is a good example on why paying more for a branded Mini items is sometimes worth it. If a company tied pretty close to Mini goes under, it is even more true from a company like M7 or even H-Sport. While there prices are much cheaper, you get some longevity with company manufactured items.</p>
<p>My Sport Link/Tow Link combo is bomb-proof. I am SO disappointed MINI Fini went under. Great stuff! I guess I own a collector’s item.</p>
<p>Does this mean the Sport Link is no longer MINIUSA configurator option?</p>
<p>That’s a real shame. The Sport Link rear rack system is a really neat design. Hopefully another company will pick up the line and continue to make it.</p>
<p>…or at least offer something similar.</p>
<p>Gabe – keep us posted on other companies buying the rights to these designs or remanufacturing things simular, they really did go with the MINI. So many times aftermarket items just look well… aftermarket and not themed with the car they are made for, Mini Fini did create parts to go with the Mini design!</p>
<p>At this point, the remains of the company, all intellectual property/patents, all tooling, remaining parts, etc. are up for a very good bargain. They’re thinking 10’s of thousands of $$ for everything based on the feedback I’ve gotten, but I could be wrong. </p>
<p>This would be a great chance to get into this kind of business if that’s what you’re after…</p>
<p>I would say they are only interested in talking to people that can react in weeks as they are basically gone and will not be around to answer the phone soon….</p>
<p>It’s really a sad news…</p>
<p>MINI-Fini products were awesome, and many of them were used as early MINI products (such as the armrest, cup holder, …)</p>
<p>I hope people working there will find jobs that match their great skills soon!</p>
<p>I’ve got a Sport Link and Bike Rack. The engineering was top notch for an accessories company. Having installed the Sport Link myself, I can say the quality of mfg and and integration into OEM parts was very high. I can certainly see why everything costs so much. It’s really sad that they went out of business, but I would highly recommend anyone to buy a SL before they are gone forever. It only adds about 10pounds more weight to your car, and looks super trick.</p>
<p>due to this site i learned of the shut down, was able to contact aaron at outmotoring and now have the sport/tow link. i have installed it and it works great. does anyone have information as to how to wire the mini for a trailer</p>
Mini-Fini is rising again!
The <a href="http://www.minifini.com" rel="nofollow">MINI-FINI </a>
products are back in the marketplace with the company under new ownership by <a href="http://www.allfabinc.com" rel="nofollow">Allfab, Inc</a> of Columbus, Ohio. We look forward to continuing with the successful existing product line while developing new and exciting products to enhance your motoring experience. As the developer and builder of the <a href="http://www.minifini.com/shopdetail.aspx?id=7" rel="nofollow">Sport-Linkâ„¢</a>, <a href="http://www.minifini.com/shopdetail.aspx?id=8" rel="nofollow">Bike Rack</a>, <a href="http://www.minifini.com/shopdetail.aspx?id=5" rel="nofollow">Cup-Linkâ„¢</a>, and we are driven to bring you new products such as the <a href="http://www.minifini.com/shopdetail.aspx?id=11" rel="nofollow">Tow-Linkâ„¢</a> and the upcoming Cargo Carrier for the MINI Cooper. Thanks to all for your support and appreciation of the MIN-FINI product line! Look for our paid banner ads on Motoringfile.com!
John @ MINI-FINI