Sorry for the disorganized writing, I just want to pour this out ASAP...
I heard news from someone who worked for Pentax Canada. I say worked because he quit recently to work for one of the "Big 2." Why quit? Because of Hoya. He is now unsure of the future of Pentax because of what's happening.(Though he says pound for pound the K20D is one of the best cameras out there, he shifted to one of the big 2 because he's unsure of Pentax's future in cameras and lenses). The Hoya people went to the Canada office and started laying off people left and right. (Just last week, 25 people were laid off). Half of their warehouse stock were sold off for a song he says. They still have stocks left but he says it will all soon be gone. He said the lenses were sold BY THE POUND, to Henry's and some other store, I forgot the name, owned by one Ron Silverstein. Anyway, he says the lease for the warehouse won't be renewed, and it seems that the end of Pentax Canada is near. He also said that Pentax is at a loss worldwide, and that Hoya even called Pentax Canada employees as "ineffective." Hoya, according to him, is not at all interested with Pentax Imaging, but only bought Pentax for their medical instruments. He says that the Hoya people seem to be all business (read: cold) and will do anything to cut their losses, even if it means closing out Pentax Imaging altogether.
My take on this? I'm hoping that the plan is to keep Pentax USA to handle the whole of North America, to cut costs. The source seemed pessimistic, but I don't think Hoya can afford to close down Pentax Imaging.
The only good thing coming out of this is, he'll be selling me his FA*80-200/2.8 (he has 2!) for $800
As well as his complete limiteds and pancakes "for a song."
Any Pentaxians from Canada feel this coming?