Was a fantastic day out! Even my brother who is a part time cricketer, said how much he enjoyed it and was glad he went with me.
I went with an open mind and like most on here I've used a boutique brand and an Asian brand as my main bats. Mainly because I just thought the big boys churn out bats in bulk, and don't put in the extra TLC that the smaller bat makers do. I still hold this view for some of the larger brands but GM have totally changed my perception of them.
Firstly, as mentioned by someone else on here, what other large manufacturer's Owners take time out to invite members of a small forum and take time out to be there too? I was genuinely surprised and impressed at how GM meld technology and human skill to produce their bats. The quality control at each stage is amazing. A few key things that impressed me:
- Clefts are graded at the start and the same person will reevaluate and grade the end
- The higher end grade bats are pressed differently and go through 2 different presses, whereas the lower grade bats just go through a single press
- The attention to detail when splicing and fitting handles is impressive, no wonder people have been raving about their handles
- PS All handles are the same
- They use the same binding since forever and it is special twine manufactured in Nottinghamshire
- When the bats get to pressing if the moisture content is not correct for the cleft the cleft will be sent back
- Although they use CNC machines, the final shaping and finishing is done by hand
- They use a special built grip application machine to ensure the grip is fitted precisely
- Oh and the reason labels are stuck over the scuff sheet is because they don't like fogging the sheet causes and are immensely proud of their brand
Thanks to Phil Tebbutt, the Site's General Manager we were given a chance to choose bats from a special basket (we'd have been there all day if they let us loose on other baskets
), which were put aside with our names on, still had to place orders via their website in order to process payments. I chose a beautiful Noir 808 and have to say the grading is very generous. I think we were all eager to get a bat to remember the day, but after the tour and seeing how much care is taken
I really wanted a bat !
Cant wait for it to arrive. Thanks to
@Edward Lowy and the team. Great day. Having seen the factory, I'd happily buy a GM bat and recommend them now from the big boys.
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Topic: GM Factory Visit (Read 41678 times)