Topic: New batmaker? (Read 120573 times)

Bwcc · « **Reply #90 on:** February 19, 2017, 11:21:38 AM »

@GDP1964 do you really think that considering how much emphasis they have/ do put on having their own "master pod shaver" and all handmade in Sussex that they are going to come clean and say yeh sorry guys we've actually kinda been getting them from India for a while now?
The sad truth is they will probably outsource to India and continue to sell at U.K. made prices, seems kind of reminiscent of the whole millichamp and hall saga

Bats_Entertainment · « **Reply #91 on:** February 19, 2017, 11:24:16 AM »

I won't hold my breath.

t2ylo · « **Reply #92 on:** February 19, 2017, 11:36:20 AM »

I'm struggling to understand why this is such an issue.
Some bats only get finished in U.K. due to cost.
Surely nobody is suggesting Asia cannot make cricket bats?
It increases choice in the market place & keeps cost competition tight - if u can spot a bat there's plenty of value out there.
Yes there is a need for transparency of provenance but brands are by their very nature smoke & mirrors (and stickers)
Finally why is their not such moral outrage over white goods?

edge · « **Reply #93 on:** February 19, 2017, 11:51:40 AM »

Quote from: t2ylo on February 19, 2017, 11:36:20 AM

I'm struggling to understand why this is such an issue.
Some bats only get finished in U.K. due to cost.
Surely nobody is suggesting Asia cannot make cricket bats?
It increases choice in the market place & keeps cost competition tight - if u can spot a bat there's plenty of value out there.
Yes there is a need for transparency of provenance but brands are by their very nature smoke & mirrors (and stickers)
Finally why is their not such moral outrage over white goods?

The problem isn't bats being made in Asia. Take Millichamp and Hall for example, they market their bats as 'meticulously crafted by hand in Somerset' and have always charged a premium as such. Now, if you want a gun bat handcrafted in Somerset and are prepared to pay to get one, more power to you, particularly as they've always turned out good bats and built a reputation for doing so. However, based on that reputation, they charge �500 for a grade 2 of their flagship model. No doubt they'll be decent bats, but taking a quick look at a forum retailer, you can buy a grade 2 from the same batmaker (who are unlikely to claim their bats to be handcrafted in Somerset!) for �129. You don't see how that could be viewed as mugging people off?

As for white goods - next time you go choose a fridge based on whether it's handmade by a skilled craftsman or not, let us know

ppccopener · « **Reply #94 on:** February 19, 2017, 11:53:38 AM »

Quote from: t2ylo on February 19, 2017, 11:36:20 AM

I'm struggling to understand why this is such an issue.
Some bats only get finished in U.K. due to cost.
Surely nobody is suggesting Asia cannot make cricket bats?
It increases choice in the market place & keeps cost competition tight - if u can spot a bat there's plenty of value out there.
Yes there is a need for transparency of provenance but brands are by their very nature smoke & mirrors (and stickers)
Finally why is their not such moral outrage over white goods?

You could search every post on the forum you would not find 'Asia cannot make cricket bats anywhere'. No one is saying that.

The problem is in the marketing, as you refer to 'transparency'.

out of interest how has it helped keep price competition tight? Are you saying it has worked to keep bat prices down, what price would they be without this competition? I'm trying to think how that has had any effect at all on prices of top end bats in 2017-or any recent year since they rocketed up

ProCricketer1982 · « **Reply #95 on:** February 19, 2017, 12:03:35 PM »

Quote from: t2ylo on February 19, 2017, 11:36:20 AM

I'm struggling to understand why this is such an issue.
Some bats only get finished in U.K. due to cost.
Surely nobody is suggesting Asia cannot make cricket bats?
It increases choice in the market place & keeps cost competition tight - if u can spot a bat there's plenty of value out there.
Yes there is a need for transparency of provenance but brands are by their very nature smoke & mirrors (and stickers)
Finally why is their not such moral outrage over white goods?

Cost competition tight? Yeah good one

manno · « **Reply #96 on:** February 19, 2017, 12:11:46 PM »

Quote from: ProCricketer1982 on February 19, 2017, 12:03:35 PM

Cost competition tight? Yeah good one

I think its had the opposite effect. Creating the illusion of a new/premium product to fetch a far greater price. And then everything below that simply shuffles up a price point.

t2ylo · « **Reply #97 on:** February 19, 2017, 12:17:48 PM »

Never wrestle with a pig
You both get dirty & the pig likes it.

Still one of my favourite quotes.

t2ylo · « **Reply #98 on:** February 19, 2017, 12:33:50 PM »

Quote from: edge on February 19, 2017, 11:51:40 AM

The problem isn't bats being made in Asia. Take Millichamp and Hall for example, they market their bats as 'meticulously crafted by hand in Somerset' and have always charged a premium as such. Now, if you want a gun bat handcrafted in Somerset and are prepared to pay to get one, more power to you, particularly as they've always turned out good bats and built a reputation for doing so. However, based on that reputation, they charge �500 for a grade 2 of their flagship model. No doubt they'll be decent bats, but taking a quick look at a forum retailer, you can buy a grade 2 from the same batmaker (who are unlikely to claim their bats to be handcrafted in Somerset!) for �129. You don't see how that could be viewed as mugging people off?

As for white goods - next time you go choose a fridge based on whether it's handmade by a skilled craftsman or not, let us know

Apologies. Soft goods. I got a bit excited watching the T20

GDP1964 · « **Reply #99 on:** February 19, 2017, 01:32:41 PM »

Firstly just because they are manufactured in India does not mean they must be cheaper maybe 5 years ago but not now . The factories producing these products are by far more modern their work force are by far much more Proffesional and skilled the end product is by far a lot better finished and presented too achieve all of this leads to one thing Extra Costs Their Batmakers without a doubt compete with all the other Batmakers Worldwide this costs . Willow prices have increased in the last 5 years by more than 60% and regardless of amount of Willow ordered there is no preferential pricing the Willow suppliers are no fools why discount a product when supply cannot keep up with demand .

Newbury have only just decided this year to outsource their bats they have not pulled the wool over anyone eyes YET they do have a chance to inform the Public and avoid having a fiasco M&H found themselves in I still can't get my head around them wanting to cut ties with a manufacturer who is plain and simple NEWBURY my guess is Ivory Tower owners want results profits and achieve these or we gone . My sympathy lies with the person tasked to do this in my opion if they continue on the path we think they are taking he is a dead man walking . In the next Few years you will see more Indian Brands setting up here in the U.K. And selling their Brand and it can't come any sooner because they will compete in quality and price they just need to make their customer service up to scratch

procricket · « **Reply #100 on:** February 19, 2017, 01:47:51 PM »

Quote from: GDP1964 on February 19, 2017, 01:32:41 PM

Firstly just because they are manufactured in India does not mean they must be cheaper maybe 5 years ago but not now . The factories producing these products are by far more modern their work force are by far much more Proffesional and skilled the end product is by far a lot better finished and presented too achieve all of this leads to one thing Extra Costs Their Batmakers without a doubt compete with all the other Batmakers Worldwide this costs . Willow prices have increased in the last 5 years by more than 60% and regardless of amount of Willow ordered there is no preferential pricing the Willow suppliers are no fools why discount a product when supply cannot keep up with demand .

Newbury have only just decided this year to outsource their bats they have not pulled the wool over anyone eyes YET they do have a chance to inform the Public and avoid having a fiasco M&H found themselves in I still can't get my head around them wanting to cut ties with a manufacturer who is plain and simple NEWBURY my guess is Ivory Tower owners want results profits and achieve these or we gone . My sympathy lies with the person tasked to do this in my opion if they continue on the path we think they are taking he is a dead man walking . In the next Few years you will see more Indian Brands setting up here in the U.K. And selling their Brand and it can't come any sooner because they will compete in quality and price they just need to make their customer service up to scratch

very good points made there India can match Uk makers no doubt about that it just depends if you want to get it bespoke I guess..

Funny thing is whilst it is a decent mark up for Indian companies it not a massive pie for them in reality though..

Bwcc · « **Reply #101 on:** February 19, 2017, 01:49:38 PM »

@GDP1964 if the difference between uk and Indian made wasn't big enough to justify the outsourcing do you think they would risk it?

Tom · « **Reply #102 on:** February 19, 2017, 01:57:20 PM »

Newbery I believe have new owners and judging by the MKK failure were perhaps in some strife last year so I'd imagine outsourcing is likely a cost cutting exercise as lower grade bats have very low margins when made in the UK

Tom · « **Reply #103 on:** February 19, 2017, 02:04:03 PM »

Also regarding who's doing UK bats, I'd be surprised if Aldred alone could meet demand for their top grades.

GDP1964 · « **Reply #104 on:** February 19, 2017, 02:21:01 PM »

They certainly should not risk it in their Top end Bats the difference in price is Marginal as Tom says lower end bats and Junior bats are very small in profit terms that's why not a lot of UK Batmakers make their own Junior bats and if they do their numbers are very small compared to Adult bats . B&S South Africa are the opposite they make 75% Junior to 25% Adult that's just the Market . Newbury do not cut ties with TK he is one of very few that can supply on a regular basis the quantity and quality required to uphold the Newbury name which has been around for years you have been told 😀

Author Topic: New batmaker? (Read 120573 times)

Bwcc

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Bats_Entertainment

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t2ylo

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edge

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ppccopener

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ProCricketer1982

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manno

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t2ylo

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t2ylo

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GDP1964

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procricket

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Bwcc

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Tom

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Tom

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GDP1964

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