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Die Gründung von Delkim
In den späten 1970er Jahren schlossen sich die Karpfenangler DEL Romang und KIM Donaldson zusammen und gründeten DELKIM. Das Unternehmen wurde ursprünglich gegründet, um Del & Kim die Glaubwürdigkeit zu geben, Zutaten und Aromen für die Köderherstellung selbst zu beschaffen, die zu dieser Zeit nicht in Angelgeschäften erhältlich waren. Es ist eine wenig bekannte Tatsache, dass Del & Kim eine wichtige Rolle bei der Entdeckung einiger berühmter früher Köderaromen spielten, bevor sie allgemein erhältlich waren, darunter Cream, heute bekannt als Scopex, Strawberry, Spice "B" usw.
Delkim-Reiher-Umwandlungen
At the time bite alarms were in their infancy and those electro-mechanical devices that were available were not suitable for the rigours of carp fishing. The “Heron” antenna alarm invented by Dick Walker in the 1950’s was virtually the only bite alarm available and was “state of the art” at that time, however it had shortcomings and anglers had already attempted to improve it in various ways. Del’s early DIY attempts at incorporating electronics into the “Heron” were being noticed by anglers at Darenth in Kent, which was a famous carp fishery, even in the 1970’s. Using LEDs, electronic circuitry and what were known as “GPO” speakers, the Delkim “Heron Conversion” was born and made commercially available via a service where anglers sent their own “Herons” to Delkim for conversion. This conversion service established Delkim in the bite alarm business.
Die ersten Delkims?
In 1976 just before the name of Delkim was formed, Del made four sets of special handmade self contained antenna bite alarms which he, Kim and his angling friends used for many years. Del considers that these were the first true Delkims and he still has his original set which work to this day although they are no longer used in anger.
Delkim Säcke und Tragetücher
It may surprise you to hear that at around the same time Delkim produced the first commercially available carp retaining sacks and weighing slings for a few years until the bite alarm side of the business took over totally. Del’s late wife Bev used to run these up on her domestic sewing machine on the dining room table in between looking after Del and the kids
Delkim Optonic Konvertierungen
In the early 1980’s the revolutionary “Optonic” bite alarm had emerged which yet again had deficiencies which anglers had identified and asked Delkim to overcome. The result was the now infamous Delkim “Optonic” conversion, which included ground breaking features such as magnetic rotation sensing, mega low current drain and above all reliability! This set the standard against which all future electronic bite alarms would be judged and firmly established the reputation and name of Delkim in the history of specialist tackle development. Unfortunately due to legal problems the conversion of “Optonics” ceased in 1986 but there are still many of these almost vintage alarms being used today which is testimony to their reliability. Because of the uncertainty brought about by these legal difficulties at that time, Kim Donaldson decided to part company with Delkim in a totally amicable arrangement with Del Romang which still left them great friends.
Die Delkim-Vibrationsrevolution
Although Del Romang had made a few handmade alarms of his own over the years he had long dreamt of using his inventive ideas to make his own bite alarms commercially rather than improve other manufacturers products by conversion. The idea for today’s Delkim actually came to him in a dream in 1983 when he woke up with a start in the early hours and ran naked downstairs to run a piece of fishing line across the stylus of his record deck. (remember vinyl?) The resulting Patent Application invented the Delkim Vibration System which took nine years of intensive development until 1992 for Del to perfect and of which he is so justifiably proud.
Danksagung
Del's erste Frau Bev, die einen wichtigen Teil des Familienunternehmens ausmachte, verlor leider 1998 einen zweijährigen Kampf gegen den Krebs. Bev Romang nahm im Laufe der Jahre an vielen Tackle-Shows teil, und es wurde oft fälschlicherweise angenommen, dass ihr Name Kim sei, was bei denjenigen, die die falsche Annahme trafen, für viel Heiterkeit und einige erhebliche Peinlichkeiten sorgte! Tragischerweise starb auch Kim Donaldson im Mai 2001, als er ohne jede Vorwarnung eine Hirnblutung erlitt, während er gerade beim Karpfenangeln war (ich bin sicher, dass wir das alle am liebsten tun würden - mit unseren Stiefeln!).Delkim - Ein echtes Familienunternehmen
Der Erfolg von Delkim ist im Laufe der Jahre dramatisch gewachsen, ebenso wie das Managementteam der Familie.Del Romang – Chairman & Founder
Lee Romang – Managing Director (Del’s Son)
Carla Romang – Customer Service Manager (Del’s Daughter)
Carol Romang – Finance (Del’s Wife)
Paul Carrington – Production Manager (Carol’s Son)
Robert Carrington – Technical Support (Carol’s Son)
Mark Carrington – Logistics (Carol’s Son)
Enkelkinder (Produktzerstörungsprüfung) und Katzen (Schädlingsbekämpfungstechniker) gehören ebenfalls inoffiziell zum Team!!!