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I was just reading some threads on Windwing and the departure of their designer Bill Hansen. I was reading a thread on their own forum where someone said that WW's production started falling apart because Best is made in the same factory, and Best was pressuring the factory to limit WW production otherwise they would have withdrawn their contract with that factory.

Anyone heard anything about this? Just thought it was interesting. I always hear about some companies sharing product, design, parts, etc.. There's no reason to reinvent the wheel, but i was surprised to hear they would have the same factory. What about the same designer? What about the same managment.

I know Naish started off as a spin off of Mistral. Cabrinha started off as a spin off of Neil Pryde. Etc... and etc...... and more etc.....

Have you been living under a rock?

All kites are made in the same factory in China (with the exception of a few companies, Ozone, Flysurfer who have there own factories.

I believe that Best and Globerider come from the same factory in Hong Kong.

Ozone have their own factory in Vietnam.

I think Neil Pryde make lots of sails and kites, not just their own brand Cabrinha.

No, I just stepped in shit.

I've only been on this list for a few months, and I generally don't care where the kites are made.

But thanks for the insight, after your initial snobby comment. Lighten up a little.

But it sounds like only Best and WW are in the same factory in this case. There was no mention in the thread about Best putting any pressure on Cab, Naish, Airush, or North production numbers.

The Jess-Man wrote:Have you been living under a rock?

All kites are made in the same factory in China (with the exception of a few companies, Ozone, Flysurfer who have there own factories.

Caution Kites are made in Sri Lanka at Ezzy Sails..

Martin

mas-martin wrote:

The Jess-Man wrote:Have you been living under a rock?

All kites are made in the same factory in China (with the exception of a few companies, Ozone, Flysurfer who have there own factories.

Caution Kites are made in Sri Lanka at Ezzy Sails..

Martin

I believe that they caution are no longer made by Ezzy, not sure where though

If we import stuff from outside the E.C. we have to pay 20% taxes.
So a $500 kite costs $600 over here ,wouldn't that be margin enough to start a production facility in one of the new eastern Europe countries.

solo flight wrote:If we import stuff from outside the E.C. we have to pay 20% taxes.
So a $500 kite costs $600 over here ,wouldn't that be margin enough to start a production facility in one of the new eastern Europe countries.

Virtually all production in this industry is "outsourced". These factories are part of industrial groups that make multiple products... efficiency scale... Even if you can get east European manufact cost down to southeast Asian countries... you still don't have distribution efficiency... take a typical air package and price from eastern Europe to US versus from Asia to US... there is enormous cost differential (US/Australia is > 50% of market). Also, what's the internal VAT for a $600 product? I doubt the "net" difference is as large as 20%... and it varies by EC country... lower in Spain, Ireland, e.g.; higher in Norther EC countries...

lots of brands are produced at LAM in China.

Best and Windwing as well.

Greets
Toby

carmel hill, i think you'll find the claim is untrue and has nothing to do with what has happened.

if best were squeezing out windwing production, why would bill leave....

maybe bill would come on and clear this up.