Date:	Sat, 25 Mar 1995 20:29:35 -1000
From:	tanaka_be@swam1.enet.dec.com (Bert Tanaka)
Message-Id: <9503260626.AA12632@us3rmc.pa.dec.com>
Organization: Harvard University Office of Information Technology
Subject: AFC and SkyShark

"crowell@teleport.com" "Carl Crowell"  writes:
*Subj:   AFC  -> Skyshark... what a bummer
*
*I just received notice today that AFC carbon spars will be available from
*SkyShark only.
*
*This translates to a 30price increase in wholesale price per stick. 
*(.50-.65)
*
*This will be effective March 27th, 1995.
*
*I have never dealt with SkyShark, but I fear change, and this change 
*involves increased cost.
*
*carl
****************************************************************************
SkyShark says there will be no increase in the wholesale price of all existing
stock; and that is apparently a substantial amount.  Even so, they are
aware that one of the major factors that contribute to the popularity of
AFC pultruded rods is their economy and future plans include an effort
to maintain and preserve this feature.  

It seems that AFC wants to concentrate mainly on manufacturing.  So, this new
partnership lets them do this while SkyShark handles the marketing, 
distribution and R & D.  I think that this will benefit us since
SkyShark has a history of making a product that is designed specifically
for the kiting industry rather than just just being a funnel for excess
stock whose primary design was for something else (i.e., arrow shafts).

The scope of future price increases may mostly reflect increases in the 
cost of materials.  Right now, carbon cost about US$18/pound (453.6 grams).
That's almost 4 cents a gram - and that's before all other incurred
costs are caluculated into the cost of making a spar.  The cost of carbon 
will go up, but based on the actual cost of a manufactured spar, overall, 
this increase may be small.

Good winds,
Bert

PS - On another note, I enjoyed Colin Douthwaite's report on the Canterbury
Kite Festival and he gets my vote for the coolest ascii pics!


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