Industry Talk: Signature Needles is Coming Back

Last month we heard news about the sale of Signature Needle Arts to ChiaoGoo. This news broke in the leadup to the largest needle arts trade show in the world. I spent 3 days in Cologne at the H+H trade show and thought I'd share what I learned about the sale and the future of the brand.

Disclaimer: I am not an employee of these brands or affiliated in any way. I don't even use needles from either brand, but I do own a single pair of ChiaoGoos that was unclaimed in the lost and found at the end of an event. The brand knows I'm sponsored by Addi and have no plan to switch to their needles. I just saw an opportunity to get this info for community members who like the needles.

• The original owners of Signature specifically chose ChiaoGoo as their successor because they believe that they will keep up the integrity of the brand. Employees in their booth said that multiple buyers were bidding on the brand and ChiaoGoo wasn't even the highest offer!
• Integrity, precision and quality are forefront -Yeah, it sounds like marketing speak to me too, but a lot of people think ChiaoGoo needles already have these qualities. It is unclear whether manufacturing will be in the US or at the existing ChiaoGoo factory in China (independently owned and operated by the brother of the American owner.) They will use the best option to keep the integrity of the needles.
• The old Signature cord system which requires different cords for each needle size will not be returning. The needles will work with the 2 available sizes of ChiaoGoo cords, making the two brands compatible.
• The anodized coating and tip shape will not change.
• They are unsure whether custom engraving will be available.
• They will likely provide updates as they begin the process of resuming manufacturing with details about the unresolved aspects of manufacturing. 

*I originally shared this on Reddit, but a lot of people were interested in the info, so I gave it a more permanent home here.