- Joined
- Jul 21, 2018
- Messages
- 2,146
I'm hoping they make Mr. CC a Senior VP...maybe Design Director!!
I'm sad, but depending on how the change is implemented it could be a good thing. I could see GEC restructuring their business and start selling directly rather than from a bunch of "shops" that really don't add any value to GEC just funnel the profits to dealers who just take orders and ship stuff. The only advantage that the consumers have from having the different shops is that those shops have SFOs which collectors love. In any case I hope GEC still makes some small batch limited edition variations to keep things interesting.
FWIW, I think we've already seen a glimpse of the answer with CK collaborating with Lion Steel and Viper. Granted, those are "modern traditionals," so your question still has lots of merit.I might be off base, but in my mind Charlie, Mike, KSF - J and Derrick, have had a large impact on GEC's SFO's. I will be interested to see who they work with in the future if GEC is truly closing the door on their collaborations.
Northwoods made Case or Buck, Buck Charlie Barlow collaboration? I'm interested.
Yeah man, good stuff going on there, love that m390 on the swayback.FWIW, I think we've already seen a glimpse of the answer with CK collaborating with Lion Steel and Viper. Granted, those are "modern traditionals," so your question still has lots of merit.
The dealers or "shops" as you call them most certainly add value. GEC makes knives, that is their expertise. GEC does not distribute knives, not their expertise. GEC like most companies has chosen to hire the dealers to fill that part of the supply chain so they can concentrate on making knives. Which is what I personally want them to do.I'm sad, but depending on how the change is implemented it could be a good thing. I could see GEC restructuring their business and start selling directly rather than from a bunch of "shops" that really don't add any value to GEC just funnel the profits to dealers who just take orders and ship stuff. The only advantage that the consumers have from having the different shops is that those shops have SFOs which collectors love. In any case I hope GEC still makes some small batch limited edition variations to keep things interesting.
That’s kind of what I’ve been thinking. Do they really need to do the SFOs from a business standpoint? They are more interesting and exciting for collectors, but do they need that excitement to maintain a viable business? I doubt it, but I don’t know. It seems like they can already sell every knife they make. Is that because of the SFO excitement? I doubt it. I would think it takes more staff time to manage the SFOs and I doubt the margins are any higher for GEC.I don't remember a time before GEC SFO's. Because those of us that were there in early 2007 before any one had a clue who GEC was; were frequently offered special runs in order to keep the factory flow going. There was a time when inventories were deep at the factory and they enjoyed having a full run sold before it was produced. But those days are now over and there are enough large retailers involved that the factory can run much fewer variations without carrying inventory.
keep things interesting
I guess GEC & dealers relationship goes deeper than simple commercial relationship. If GEC had to sell directly it would mean they reorganize the sale dept. This could reveal costly and nothing proves it would be of any benefit for their business.I'm sad, but depending on how the change is implemented it could be a good thing. I could see GEC restructuring their business and start selling directly rather than from a bunch of "shops" that really don't add any value to GEC just funnel the profits to dealers who just take orders and ship stuff. The only advantage that the consumers have from having the different shops is that those shops have SFOs which collectors love. In any case I hope GEC still makes some small batch limited edition variations to keep things interesting.
Nice!!
It seems like the type of people who buy GEC knives aren't offended by this type of thing. Wonder why that is?