Topic: Andrew Kember on how he started batmaking and the industry (Read 6553 times)

Tom · « **on:** May 06, 2019, 09:26:05 PM »

Lovely article this:
https://www.wisden.com/stories/your-game/cricket-gear/salix-cricket-story

sarg · « **Reply #1 on:** May 06, 2019, 10:11:55 PM »

Enjoyed it too. Sharing now.

Grubby · « **Reply #2 on:** May 07, 2019, 06:56:28 AM »

Very good article.

Buzz · « **Reply #3 on:** May 07, 2019, 08:45:59 AM »

Interesting digs at the part makers/sticker up brands.

Or rather the lack of transparency they offer. I can't think of that many who aren't usually pretty transparent about who does what. There are a few around though.

liscon12 · « **Reply #4 on:** May 07, 2019, 08:57:10 AM »

Is this the same article that is found within Pro Directs Magazine?

I�ll try to get images of that article too

jonny77 · « **Reply #5 on:** May 07, 2019, 09:09:19 AM »

Not sure I understand some of the article tbh. If someone wants to buy part mades or finished bats and sell them, what's the problem as long as the quality is good? My current bat is one example of this and one of the best bats I've had. Made by a top batmaker, great customer service, fair price and a pleasure to deal with. I don't think he's clear enough there is a difference between companies doing this and the ones buying firewood or low quality, stickering them up and marketing themselves as a manufacturer.

Also as he mentioned it's hard to get started in the business as a true batmaker, as it is in any other other area the cricket industry I reckon. So starting your own brand etc maybe the only option available, out of a garage or not. Just because it can be advertised better and easier these days doesn't necessarily mean its wrong to do it.

I've contacted people in the cricket industry for advice on how I could forge any type of career in cricket and haven't had much coming back, so that sort of leads you to think that doing something for yourself maybe the only option.

liscon12 · « **Reply #6 on:** May 07, 2019, 09:09:27 AM »

Tailendfielder · « **Reply #7 on:** May 07, 2019, 07:51:56 PM »

Salix are my favourite bats, love them. I just cant afford them anymore 😢

Sitonit · « **Reply #8 on:** May 07, 2019, 08:50:29 PM »

Quote

"�If you want to come and sweep up, you�re welcome to."

What does this mean?
If you want to come and clean my place, (like brooming)m you are welcome to" ?

Tom · « **Reply #9 on:** May 07, 2019, 09:06:46 PM »

Quote from: jonny77 on May 07, 2019, 09:09:19 AM

Not sure I understand some of the article tbh. If someone wants to buy part mades or finished bats and sell them, what's the problem as long as the quality is good? My current bat is one example of this and one of the best bats I've had. Made by a top batmaker, great customer service, fair price and a pleasure to deal with. I don't think he's clear enough there is a difference between companies doing this and the ones buying firewood or low quality, stickering them up and marketing themselves as a manufacturer.

I think Kember's issue is that these companies try and align themselves with the likes of Salix - thereby taking work which otherwise may have gone to a genuine UK batmaker keeping the trade going.

What does come across is that he's a big advocate of batmaking here in the UK; one of the few companies who has taken on apprentices over the past few years.

jonny77 · « **Reply #10 on:** May 07, 2019, 09:22:23 PM »

Quote from: Tom on May 07, 2019, 09:06:46 PM

I think Kember's issue is that these companies try and align themselves with the likes of Salix - thereby taking work which otherwise may have gone to a genuine UK batmaker keeping the trade going.

What does come across is that he's a big advocate of batmaking here in the UK; one of the few companies who has taken on apprentices over the past few years.

It just came away as a bit snobby to me and a little 'if you're not doing the whole process you're not worthy' type of thing. We all know some of the best batmakers (UK ones too) provide bats to 'sticker companies', who from what I've seen don't claim to make them themselves. Nothing wrong with that for me at all. Or even someone making from part mades in a shed. As I said I can imagine its almost impossible to get an apprenticship or way into this line of work now.

Maybe I've misunderstood his comments, just how it came acrosss to me.

skip1973 · « **Reply #11 on:** May 07, 2019, 09:23:05 PM »

Quote from: Sitonit on May 07, 2019, 08:50:29 PM

What does this mean?
If you want to come and clean my place, (like brooming)m you are welcome to" ?

Yes exactly what it means, it's called a foot in the door, a place where young people don't like to start anymore.

Sitonit · « **Reply #12 on:** May 07, 2019, 09:36:46 PM »

Quote from: skip1973 on May 07, 2019, 09:23:05 PM

Yes exactly what it means, it's called a foot in the door, a place where young people don't like to start anymore.

Oh ok.
Sounded more like an insulting way to deny someone's a position at your place in a very mean way.

Kulli · « **Reply #13 on:** May 08, 2019, 05:12:12 AM »

Quote from: jonny77 on May 07, 2019, 09:22:23 PM

It just came away as a bit snobby to me and a little 'if you're not doing the whole process you're not worthy' type of thing. We all know some of the best batmakers (UK ones too) provide bats to 'sticker companies', who from what I've seen don't claim to make them themselves. Nothing wrong with that for me at all. Or even someone making from part mades in a shed. As I said I can imagine its almost impossible to get an apprenticship or way into this line of work now.

Maybe I've misunderstood his comments, just how it came acrosss to me.

Salix also do some contract bat making, or have donenin the past anyway.

Dazz · « **Reply #14 on:** May 08, 2019, 07:29:44 AM »

Quote from: Tailendfielder on May 07, 2019, 07:51:56 PM

Salix are my favourite bats, love them. I just cant afford them anymore 😢

Arrange a visit to the factory and I�m sure you�ll be pleasantly surprised! Andrew will make a bat for any budget, within reason obviously.

Author Topic: Andrew Kember on how he started batmaking and the industry (Read 6553 times)

Tom

Andrew Kember on how he started batmaking and the industry

sarg

Re: Andrew Kember on how he started batmaking and the industry

Grubby

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Buzz

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liscon12

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jonny77

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liscon12

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Tailendfielder

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Sitonit

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Tom

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jonny77

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skip1973

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Sitonit

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Kulli

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Dazz

Re: Andrew Kember on how he started batmaking and the industry