Custom Bats Cricket Forum

Equipment => Bats => Topic started by: gaurav23 on June 22, 2017, 10:22:45 AM

Title: Laver & Wood - Grains galore !!
Post by: gaurav23 on June 22, 2017, 10:22:45 AM
Hello everyone. Just wanted to show some of the samples James had got along for the bat sizing sessions in India & Malaysia. They belong to L&W India now, yes it's in the process of being floated,after a fellow forumite  'aditya44'  invested in L&W and hence is a partner now.
 All the bats are Reserve graded, full-profiled  and round faced(except the Mega)

Profile : Classic
Weight : 2.10
Grains : 11
Edge : 25mm
Spine : 60mm
Full
(http://i349.photobucket.com/albums/q390/16bladee/IMG_5513_zpsfwplmen8.jpg) (http://s349.photobucket.com/user/16bladee/media/IMG_5513_zpsfwplmen8.jpg.html)

(http://i349.photobucket.com/albums/q390/16bladee/IMG_5514_zps5f6csbcc.jpg) (http://s349.photobucket.com/user/16bladee/media/IMG_5514_zps5f6csbcc.jpg.html)

(http://i349.photobucket.com/albums/q390/16bladee/IMG_5522_zpsslnc9y0l.jpg) (http://s349.photobucket.com/user/16bladee/media/IMG_5522_zpsslnc9y0l.jpg.html)

Profile : Mega
Weight : 2.9
Grains : 12
Edge : 40mm
Spine : 62mm
Concaved
 (http://i349.photobucket.com/albums/q390/16bladee/IMG_5509_zpsbmfkddyr.jpg) (http://s349.photobucket.com/user/16bladee/media/IMG_5509_zpsbmfkddyr.jpg.html)
(http://i349.photobucket.com/albums/q390/16bladee/IMG_5508_zpsey5fvh79.jpg) (http://s349.photobucket.com/user/16bladee/media/IMG_5508_zpsey5fvh79.jpg.html)

(http://i349.photobucket.com/albums/q390/16bladee/IMG_5507_zps0gkxpshi.jpg) (http://s349.photobucket.com/user/16bladee/media/IMG_5507_zps0gkxpshi.jpg.html)

Profile : T20
Weight : 2.14
Grains : 12
Edge : 35mm
Spine : 62mm
Slightly concaved
(http://i349.photobucket.com/albums/q390/16bladee/IMG_5510_zpsafmrchai.jpg) (http://s349.photobucket.com/user/16bladee/media/IMG_5510_zpsafmrchai.jpg.html)
(http://i349.photobucket.com/albums/q390/16bladee/IMG_5512_zpsqzgati1n.jpg) (http://s349.photobucket.com/user/16bladee/media/IMG_5512_zpsqzgati1n.jpg.html)
(http://i349.photobucket.com/albums/q390/16bladee/IMG_5511_zpsmqrihfd6.jpg) (http://s349.photobucket.com/user/16bladee/media/IMG_5511_zpsmqrihfd6.jpg.html)

Profile : T20 but full length blade
Weight : 3lb
Grains : 11
Edge : 40mm
Spine : 68mm
Toe : 40mm
Very full

(http://i349.photobucket.com/albums/q390/16bladee/IMG_5501_zpshvabzkld.jpg) (http://s349.photobucket.com/user/16bladee/media/IMG_5501_zpshvabzkld.jpg.html)
(http://i349.photobucket.com/albums/q390/16bladee/IMG_5502_zpslxwvweqo.jpg) (http://s349.photobucket.com/user/16bladee/media/IMG_5502_zpslxwvweqo.jpg.html)
(http://i349.photobucket.com/albums/q390/16bladee/IMG_5503_zpsvkdbbzg4.jpg) (http://s349.photobucket.com/user/16bladee/media/IMG_5503_zpsvkdbbzg4.jpg.html)
(http://i349.photobucket.com/albums/q390/16bladee/IMG_5506_zpsfazvsyul.jpg) (http://s349.photobucket.com/user/16bladee/media/IMG_5506_zpsfazvsyul.jpg.html)

Profile : ST Replica
Weight : 3.2
Grains : 8
Edge : 40mm
Spine : 68mm
Toe : 25mm
Very full
(http://i349.photobucket.com/albums/q390/16bladee/IMG_5515_zps6xzukjlh.jpg) (http://s349.photobucket.com/user/16bladee/media/IMG_5515_zps6xzukjlh.jpg.html)
(http://i349.photobucket.com/albums/q390/16bladee/IMG_5516_zpstb99ikia.jpg) (http://s349.photobucket.com/user/16bladee/media/IMG_5516_zpstb99ikia.jpg.html)
(http://i349.photobucket.com/albums/q390/16bladee/IMG_5518_zpseh1ewzlc.jpg) (http://s349.photobucket.com/user/16bladee/media/IMG_5518_zpseh1ewzlc.jpg.html)
(http://i349.photobucket.com/albums/q390/16bladee/IMG_5517_zpsbfh1cvxc.jpg) (http://s349.photobucket.com/user/16bladee/media/IMG_5517_zpsbfh1cvxc.jpg.html)


Awaiting a few more samples like the Ultra and Signatures shortly. Thanks for looking lads. Cheers :)

Title: Re: Laver & Wood - Grains galore !!
Post by: gaurav23 on June 22, 2017, 11:20:24 AM
A sum up

(http://i349.photobucket.com/albums/q390/16bladee/IMG_5521_zps3wsocbtr.jpg) (http://s349.photobucket.com/user/16bladee/media/IMG_5521_zps3wsocbtr.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Laver & Wood - Grains galore !!
Post by: Umi on June 22, 2017, 12:19:36 PM
Confused?
Title: Re: Laver & Wood - Grains galore !!
Post by: Kulli on June 22, 2017, 12:23:28 PM
Confused?

someone is going to be a dealer for L&W in india was how I read it.
Title: Re: Laver & Wood - Grains galore !!
Post by: Biggie Smalls on June 22, 2017, 12:36:00 PM
Not sure what to make of that news  :) ;) :D :( :o
Title: Re: Laver & Wood - Grains galore !!
Post by: Chad on June 22, 2017, 01:06:33 PM
Good news for Laver, have got a fair few in the collection and they're all incredible. Good luck @aditya44 with your venture with them, and thanks @gaurav23 for the pictures. :)
Title: Re: Laver & Wood - Grains galore !!
Post by: gaurav23 on June 22, 2017, 01:21:51 PM
someone is going to be a dealer for L&W in india was how I read it.

L&W India is going to set up a manufacturing facility in India for the competitively priced stock bats for our showroom in Hyderabad, India. The custom orders will as usual be completed from the NZ set-up. Exciting news on the softs and few other fronts too. Will keep y'all posted.
Title: Re: Laver & Wood - Grains galore !!
Post by: Calzehbhoy on June 22, 2017, 01:24:46 PM
Another brand selling their soul in pursuit of profit.
Title: Re: Laver & Wood - Grains galore !!
Post by: tushar sehgal on June 22, 2017, 01:39:35 PM
Another brand selling their soul in pursuit of profit.

Really? how?
Title: Re: Laver & Wood - Grains galore !!
Post by: gaurav23 on June 22, 2017, 01:49:20 PM
Another brand selling their soul in pursuit of profit.

That's alright. Will just clear it up.
L&W Nz will function just as it has been all these years. The bats made in India cannot be shipped outside of India so basically, it's an option for the Indian buyers who can't shell out the NZ made price. We will carry the NZ made stock too, differentiated with say a sticker or some identifier. Can't quite see the soul-selling bit calzehbhoy. James was very very clear about that in our meeting.
Title: Re: Laver & Wood - Grains galore !!
Post by: Gingerbusiness on June 22, 2017, 01:55:36 PM
That's alright. Will just clear it up.
L&W Nz will function just as it has been all these years. The bats made in India cannot be shipped outside of India so basically, it's an option for the Indian buyers who can't shell out the NZ made price. We will carry the NZ made stock too, differentiated with say a sticker or some identifier. Can't quite see the soul-selling bit calzehbhoy. James was very very clear about that in our meeting.

Even so, can't imagine the price to the Indian consumer will be greatly reduced, I mean, L&W charge a premium as an exclusive brand. Would they devalue the brand by reducing the cost within a single market?

Salix were so concerned about this, they set up a subsidiary brand in 'HitsHard', which makes sense.

Surely it makes more sense to target the cash rich Indian's with a few exclusive models as, you would imagine, they wont be able to compete with the local ones (SS, SG, Larsons etc) on price?
Title: Re: Laver & Wood - Grains galore !!
Post by: InternalTraining on June 22, 2017, 01:58:10 PM
So, basically, James Laver has licensed his brand to an Indian manufacturer. Is that right?
Title: Re: Laver & Wood - Grains galore !!
Post by: Neon Cricket on June 22, 2017, 02:10:43 PM
Give it 6 months and I'm sure EAS will have a loft full of these for sale ;)

Don't blame L&W personally, if someone is willing to pay to run the brand themselves overseas then why not. So long as they stick to a similar level of advertising/quality then it shouldn't de-value the NZ company much (if at all). I would guess that the majority of L&W's business is outside of India, so it's almost a win/win.

IMO the risk is pretty much all on the Indian owner. They're relying solely on the Indian market for sales, with a brand that probably isn't well known to the large majority of the population. Big risk to take for what has likely cost a fair bit to set up (especially when it's so easy to start a brand nowadays!).

Will be interesting to see how it all goes!
Title: Re: Laver & Wood - Grains galore !!
Post by: gaurav23 on June 22, 2017, 02:38:43 PM
Handicapped with the restrictions on the information let out otherwise would have added up it all - in good time I guess. It's a great plan coming together but then again, my finding it great won't suffice and shouldn't. Some more time !!
Title: Re: Laver & Wood - Grains galore !!
Post by: Calzehbhoy on June 22, 2017, 03:37:26 PM
That's alright. Will just clear it up.
L&W Nz will function just as it has been all these years. The bats made in India cannot be shipped outside of India so basically, it's an option for the Indian buyers who can't shell out the NZ made price. We will carry the NZ made stock too, differentiated with say a sticker or some identifier. Can't quite see the soul-selling bit calzehbhoy. James was very very clear about that in our meeting.

L&W are known for quality NZ made more or less custom sticks. Not bulk made scatter gun approach. As such it kept the value both monetary and opinion high of new and second hand L&W bats.

This 'just for Indian market' is complete rubbish, you can't stop one being shipped to India and then being shipped abroad. Short of burning the branding into the side so deep it's almost impossible to sand out I don't really see how 'cheap' L&W's will be stopped from cutting the price of all L&W's worldwide.

Title: Re: Laver & Wood - Grains galore !!
Post by: InternalTraining on June 22, 2017, 03:49:05 PM
@Calzehbhoy , we don't have all the details but I agree with you to some degree that it is brand dilution. Also, there are lot of local brands that will pose more than stiff competition to this local franchise of L&W. These bats will escape the "local" market to overseas, let's not kid ourselves here.

The reason L&W could charge such a hefty sum for their bats was the "exclusivity" factor which led many overseas buyers to the brand. L&W are great bats but not better than what's already out there (if looking for performance). This move will remove that aura of "exclusivity" from the brand. Laver is well within his rights to make money but now they are just another "good" cricket bat maker.
Title: Re: Laver & Wood - Grains galore !!
Post by: Umi on June 22, 2017, 03:59:28 PM
I think it hurts the brand in the long run, as L&W are known for being NZ handmade by a great craftsman. Let's see
Title: Re: Laver & Wood - Grains galore !!
Post by: jd163 on June 22, 2017, 04:15:35 PM
India is a big cricket playing country. Having L&W india is a good move for James. More brand awareness and more sales. It is a Win Win situation for cricketers. Having a indian made Gray Nicolls does not decrease value of a Stu or Chris King made GN.
Title: Re: Laver & Wood - Grains galore !!
Post by: mkir888 on June 22, 2017, 05:45:05 PM
India is a big cricket playing country. Having L&W india is a good move for James. More brand awareness and more sales. It is a Win Win situation for cricketers. Having a indian made Gray Nicolls does not decrease value of a Stu or Chris King made GN.
Agreed. Unless they dump and flood the market with low end bats which i highly doubt, there will  be a niche market for a premium brand in Indian market based on exclusivity.
Title: Re: Laver & Wood - Grains galore !!
Post by: aditya44 on June 22, 2017, 07:12:52 PM
hello everyone,

i just wanted to clarify on some issues here. After James bat sizing sessions in India we were overwhelmed with the response we got and there is a lot of demand for laver and wood cricket bats. As the demand is very high it is almost impossible to get all the bats made in New Zealand and deliver it back to India. .Also as i am from India it is easier to set up manufacturing in my country and control it from here and meet the demands with no delay. This will also give the customers an edge as they dont have to deal with the exchange rate and customs and this led to me and James deciding on Laver and Wood India. The bats will be manufactured in India with different set of stickers to differentiate and the batmakers will go through immense training from James and Toby to meet the high level of standards Laver and Wood company set through their finishing and performance. These bats will be competitively priced keeping in mind it is made in India and the Indian market price. We want the brand to grow globally and as India is a huge market we have taken this decision. Also as of now we are very keen on quality control and these bats will be sold directly from us to Indian customers and not through retail shops in India. This is not some mass production mode it is just simpler to meet the demands of the market this way. Also all the custom made orders will be made in James workshop in New Zealand and there will be a clear distinguish between the both.
Title: Re: Laver & Wood - Grains galore !!
Post by: InternalTraining on June 22, 2017, 07:28:19 PM
hello everyone,

i just wanted to clarify on some issues here. After James bat sizing sessions in India we were overwhelmed with the response we got and there is a lot of demand for laver and wood cricket bats. As the demand is very high it is almost impossible to get all the bats made in New Zealand and deliver it back to India. .Also as i am from India it is easier to set up manufacturing in my country and control it from here and meet the demands with no delay. This will also give the customers an edge as they dont have to deal with the exchange rate and customs and this led to me and James deciding on Laver and Wood India. The bats will be manufactured in India with different set of stickers to differentiate and the batmakers will go through immense training from James and Toby to meet the high level of standards Laver and Wood company set through their finishing and performance. These bats will be competitively priced keeping in mind it is made in India and the Indian market price. We want the brand to grow globally and as India is a huge market we have taken this decision. Also as of now we are very keen on quality control and these bats will be sold directly from us to Indian customers and not through retail shops in India. This is not some mass production mode it is just simpler to meet the demands of the market this way. Also all the custom made orders will be made in James workshop in New Zealand and there will be a clear distinguish between the both.

Wow, sounds like a big initiative.

Question: Since ordering will take place on the NZ site, will the bats be priced same as the NZ made bats?
Title: Re: Laver & Wood - Grains galore !!
Post by: aditya44 on June 22, 2017, 07:34:41 PM
there will be a seperate Laver and Wood India site which will have the prices in INR.
Title: Re: Laver & Wood - Grains galore !!
Post by: aditya44 on June 22, 2017, 07:36:02 PM
The Indian made bats will be priced keeping in mind the Indian market so will comparatively less as they are made in India and will be distinguished with seperate stickers also
Title: Re: Laver & Wood - Grains galore !!
Post by: Gurujames on June 22, 2017, 07:49:51 PM
Will manufacturing take place in a factory dedicated to only Laver and Wood (India) bats or will the work be sub-contracted out to existing bat makers?
I can see how this move may help to build the business and is nothing many other big brands have done. There is openness and honesty behind it and therefore I wish you luck.
Title: Re: Laver & Wood - Grains galore !!
Post by: aditya44 on June 22, 2017, 07:56:07 PM
we are still working on it and once everthying is set up i will be answering all the questions. thanks for the interest
Title: Re: Laver & Wood - Grains galore !!
Post by: potzy248 on June 22, 2017, 09:15:56 PM
As a buyer of over 10 Laver's I will be following this new venture with interest.
Laver have worked hard to make a name for themselves and are now cashing in on that hard work. If the market wants Indian made Lavers then good luck to them.
Title: Re: Laver & Wood - Grains galore !!
Post by: Umi on June 22, 2017, 10:45:45 PM
So the method of the whole bat making process is going to be identical to the one made by James in NZ?
Title: Re: Laver & Wood - Grains galore !!
Post by: potzy248 on June 23, 2017, 01:17:59 AM
So the method of the whole bat making process is going to be identical to the one made by James in NZ?

That would be a bit naive.
Title: Re: Laver & Wood - Grains galore !!
Post by: Shinpathy on June 23, 2017, 02:21:03 AM
Interesting to hear...
Wonder with L&W stop making the mega and ultra profiles after this year following the regulations.
Title: Re: Laver & Wood - Grains galore !!
Post by: jd163 on June 23, 2017, 02:25:49 AM
Interesting to hear...
Wonder with L&W stop making the mega and ultra profiles after this year following the regulations.

Mega and Ultra will be made within regulations.. My MEGA got 40mm edge and 65mm spine which is still a big bat. I think same goes for ultra.
Title: Re: Laver & Wood - Grains galore !!
Post by: i12breakfree on June 23, 2017, 02:38:04 AM
hello everyone,

i just wanted to clarify on some issues here. After James bat sizing sessions in India we were overwhelmed with the response we got and there is a lot of demand for laver and wood cricket bats. As the demand is very high it is almost impossible to get all the bats made in New Zealand and deliver it back to India. .Also as i am from India it is easier to set up manufacturing in my country and control it from here and meet the demands with no delay. This will also give the customers an edge as they dont have to deal with the exchange rate and customs and this led to me and James deciding on Laver and Wood India. The bats will be manufactured in India with different set of stickers to differentiate and the batmakers will go through immense training from James and Toby to meet the high level of standards Laver and Wood company set through their finishing and performance. These bats will be competitively priced keeping in mind it is made in India and the Indian market price. We want the brand to grow globally and as India is a huge market we have taken this decision. Also as of now we are very keen on quality control and these bats will be sold directly from us to Indian customers and not through retail shops in India. This is not some mass production mode it is just simpler to meet the demands of the market this way. Also all the custom made orders will be made in James workshop in New Zealand and there will be a clear distinguish between the both.

That is a big undertaking. I guess like any other brand , in order to grow one needs to outsource manufacturing. I understand that these bats will be limited to india market but that itself is huge. Laver and wood has a strong brand value and that name will sell. Do you guys currently manufacture bats for any other brand or you have your own brand ?
Title: Re: Laver & Wood - Grains galore !!
Post by: CrickFreak on June 23, 2017, 02:49:21 AM
Not sure why there is such big fuss about having local production setup to meet the local demand. Every product, cars, clothes etc, you name it are customized to meet the local demographics. I think L&W is following the same - build locally to meet local demand but still keep the same process and quality.
Title: Re: Laver & Wood - Grains galore !!
Post by: gaurav23 on June 23, 2017, 05:27:52 AM
Atleast a few getting it right ;)
Title: Re: Laver & Wood - Grains galore !!
Post by: GDP1964 on June 23, 2017, 06:02:52 AM
hello everyone,

i just wanted to clarify on some issues here. After James bat sizing sessions in India we were overwhelmed with the response we got and there is a lot of demand for laver and wood cricket bats. As the demand is very high it is almost impossible to get all the bats made in New Zealand and deliver it back to India. .Also as i am from India it is easier to set up manufacturing in my country and control it from here and meet the demands with no delay. This will also give the customers an edge as they dont have to deal with the exchange rate and customs and this led to me and James deciding on Laver and Wood India. The bats will be manufactured in India with different set of stickers to differentiate and the batmakers will go through immense training from James and Toby to meet the high level of standards Laver and Wood company set through their finishing and performance. These bats will be competitively priced keeping in mind it is made in India and the Indian market price. We want the brand to grow globally and as India is a huge market we have taken this decision. Also as of now we are very keen on quality control and these bats will be sold directly from us to Indian customers and not through retail shops in India. This is not some mass production mode it is just simpler to meet the demands of the market this way. Also all the custom made orders will be made in James workshop in New Zealand and there will be a clear distinguish between the both.

Wishing you all the best L&W have been very clever here and I am sure both the New Zealand and Indian outlets will maintain the high expectations there Customers exsspect and have received in the past
Good Luck

Title: Re: Laver & Wood - Grains galore !!
Post by: gaurav23 on June 23, 2017, 03:56:26 PM
Along with the stock during the bat sizing event came this Signature for aditya to which James repeatedly was referring to as 'Rare'

Profile : custom
Weight : 2.12
Edge : 42mm
Spine : 65mm
Toe : 20mm
Very full

(http://i349.photobucket.com/albums/q390/16bladee/IMG_5525_zpsdrhqshit.jpg) (http://s349.photobucket.com/user/16bladee/media/IMG_5525_zpsdrhqshit.jpg.html)

(http://i349.photobucket.com/albums/q390/16bladee/IMG_5527_zpshge996nm.jpg) (http://s349.photobucket.com/user/16bladee/media/IMG_5527_zpshge996nm.jpg.html)

(http://i349.photobucket.com/albums/q390/16bladee/IMG_5528_zps9feef0pd.jpg) (http://s349.photobucket.com/user/16bladee/media/IMG_5528_zps9feef0pd.jpg.html)
(http://i349.photobucket.com/albums/q390/16bladee/IMG_5527_zpshge996nm.jpg) (http://s349.photobucket.com/user/16bladee/media/IMG_5527_zpshge996nm.jpg.html)

The ping as expected of a signature is surreal. Enjoy the pics. Cheers