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Switch kites article link -

Posted: Mon Jul 15, 2013 12:56 am
by Dave_5280

Re: Switch kites article link -

Posted: Mon Jul 15, 2013 4:17 am
by NYKiter
Oh boy...the first sentence says it all...
"If you think you have to be an expert in a sport to sell gear for it, think again. Jacob Kajavala, co-founder of Switch Kites..."
:duh:

Re: Switch kites article link -

Posted: Mon Jul 15, 2013 5:33 am
by BigTomi
Setting up and running company has nothing to do with knowing how to kite.
I believe that COO of Ferari is only everagare driver.

Business idea of Switch is great, I am sick of paying ridiculous prices to local dealers.

Hawing 3 Switch kites and used to ride many other I am weary happy to switched to Switch. :thumb:

Great kites even better price.

Re: Switch kites article link -

Posted: Mon Jul 15, 2013 12:17 pm
by UKSurf
He must have a few quid the company he owns is Kajavala Forestry Limited and is worth over 10 million dollars. According to this report by GE Capital they have had a big increase in profits due to rising commodity prices, they might be why he has had the spare cash to fund Switch :D

I see quite a few switch kites about the place so they are certainly making some inroads into the market and have a rider in the top 3 in the world I can see a businessman looking at the kitesurfing industry and seeing the ridiculous margins and huge number of middle men and thinking this is a great business opportunity. One problem is there are so many people getting kites through other channels that is it a much more competitive market than it appears at a glance.

Re: Switch kites article link -

Posted: Mon Jul 15, 2013 8:12 pm
by plummet
Do the maths on 4% of $250m. That's 10million in 2 years. That is a staggering success.

You can mock as much as you like but shit. Anyone of us would love a piece of that pie.

Currently I think the kites are average. People generally buy them on price not performance.
Imagine if they upped their game to cutting edge technology and industry leading performance?

Then the market leaders would be in a power of shit.

Re: Switch kites article link -

Posted: Mon Jul 15, 2013 9:11 pm
by eree
anybody else still thinks kite gear is not heavily overpriced?

if a new company got such a result in a couple of years with limited performance kites, imagine how much industry veterans earn on polyester...

Re: Switch kites article link -

Posted: Tue Jul 16, 2013 1:02 am
by switchkites
SwitchKites is extremely proud of our recent New Zealand local export awards. They have created much interest both speculative and some incorrect and not of SwitchKites origin.

SwitchKites was founded by a small group of dedicated water sports enthusiasts who are also successful in business. Being active windsurfers turned kiters, we saw a need for reasonably priced high quality kiting equipment made globally available direct to riders lacking a full service and fully inventoried local stockist. In order to create a new brand under this model, substantial investment and 24/7 effort is required to continually develop and support a top level product. Utilizing the best designers, top riders, our exclusive production facility and our global network of warehouses, we are building our brand on a strong foundation. We invite and expect competition - it will make us stronger and we believe that all riders worldwide will ultimately benefit.

Re: Switch kites article link -

Posted: Tue Jul 16, 2013 2:01 am
by marlboroughman
Switch business model fits kitesurfing well. It's actually better if you are instructor too A because as a instructor you can't get those end of a year discounts anyway and B you might actually get more students who would otherwise give up on the sport because of the price of equipment.

Re: Switch kites article link -

Posted: Tue Jul 16, 2013 2:40 am
by Dave_5280
Isn't this the same business model used by Best Kites when they started out?

Re: Switch kites article link -

Posted: Tue Jul 16, 2013 3:01 am
by BigTomi
High end technology ? Did you ever see Switch kite?

Had many brands and now have Switch. There is no difference between Switch and other kite in build quality. Support given by Switch is second to none. With how many mayor company's you get response on a e-mail in a less than 24 hrs. Spear parts available from factory on a great price. Dealing with a Switch is like dealing with friend and not company!

How many people drive The Best car in a world or how many people drive at least one of five best cars in the world ? Same think is with a kites why would I spend 2k if I can spend half of that and get some result.

People thinking of performance must first question them self if they are able to achieve better performance with a premium brand or that are average riders with average performance.

You are not buying Ferrari for a day commute to office.

On a other side one of best riders on the world rides Switch kite.

You can neg but Switch is coming strong.

Enjoy the ride :thumb: