SWL2002 is pretty much an anonymous post and it references two other anonymous people as in "I know a couple of guys that worked there until recently." Information from anonymous sources posted by an anonymous individual just is not believable. It might be true, it just has no credibility.
Opinion is opinion... and we all have opinions right or wrong. What I know was passed to me confidence. What other people have shared with other posters on this board should be treated accordingly. Passing rumors--and some of the statements were based on pure speculation--doesn't serve any purpose.
My personal opinion is that TenTec owners were getting on in years and were ready to enjoy retirement.
Elecraft may have been an unseen competitor. But, does Elecraft do all software and hardware engineering in house, or do they use contractors as needed to develop a new product?
RKR has taken over both Alpha and TenTec. Contract engineers come and go... unless you have a product under development, why would you keep excess staff? What advantage is there to duplicity of staff when companies are combined under one entity? Would it make more sense to eventually consolidate all of the businesses at one location, instead of being spread across the country? Is the military/commercial market more profitable than the ham market, or is it the other way around?? Speculation here, I am just giving my own opinion, which is not based rumors or contacts.
Pete