Steven Chong
First Sergeant
- Joined
- Aug 25, 2005
- Messages
- 1,365
First, I would like to thank Mike, Myszka and Andrew Hall of Sierra Toy Soldier for sponsoring Andy's talk. I also want to say I had to leave early and will get my gift figure Sunday morning so I cannot say what it is.
Andy started by saying it was a good time to collect. Because of the economy, K&C would be reducing the quantity of its production runs. He pointed out that old K&C has shown great value with new collectors still discovering our hobby. He mentioned Louis Badalato's quote that this is a good age of toy soldier collecting with the wide variety of different styles and innovation.
K&C looking at other countries for production and other opportunities and trying to keep products affordable, but "quality never comes cheap."
Andy mentioned that Figarti and John Jenkins had both done well by developing their own styles and exploring new themes. This drives the constant improvement that is seen at K&C, which is the result of a team effort by 24 employees (sculptors, advertising, warehouse, etc.). Every idea and release is thought out carefully.
Andy then invited questions:
1. Andy was asked for hint on next ancient line. Some ideas but sculpting had not started.
2. Would K&C be redoing other old releases as shown by the re-release of a SOHK sedan chair? Andy said that K&C is always looking at improving its figures. He looks at old releases and thinks how the present sculptors can do much better. Examples of this is the Market Garden line and the FJ line.
3. What part of the world has shown the most growth? What theme? Europe (UK, France and Italy) has shown highest percentage growth. Asia offer incredible opportunities with Andy mentioning that mainland Chinese come into the HK store and spend a lot of money. This year, Gordon not at West Coaster because he was working on a huge diorama for a new national dealer in South Korea: 24 sq. ft. diorama based on village in Saving Private Ryan. The most popular theme for these new markets like Korea is WWII and lines like SOHK. Andy thought that Japan offered a huge potential. Tourists come to HK and discover the toy soldier hobby when they come across the K&C store.
4. What is vision for Real West? When K&C was looking for a new theme, one of the ideas that Andy liked was the pre-Civil War era or 1849 to 1861. It had not been done by anyone else and K&C likes to cross market in that these figures can blend well with the Alamo figures. Mentioned that Alamo does very well in Texas given that the Alamo is one of the top tourist attractions in US. However, Alamo does not do well in rest of US. Next two releases in Real West designed and sculpted. If line does well, will go "gang busters" and issue quickly or just move slower. K&C does well because it stays focused on its target so it will stay with the 1850's first and not stray into other Western themes at this time.
5. American Camel Corp? Good idea ... K&C does camels very well.
6. British colonial? In 2007, Andy had the idea during the 25th anniversary year of repeating many of the early glossy figures in the present style. Big problem is space, both in production capacity and warehouse space, and the capability of dealers to absorb products. K&C has to keep old popular lines growing by constantly introducing new items, which takes up room. Room for new ideas like Real West and USN also has to be created. To make "space," K&C drops or retires older items. K&C is a business and has to make money to survive, but it can also have fun doing it. USN goes with SOHK and USN uniforms can work from WWI right up to WWII, which offers lots of uses for this line.
Unfortunately, I had to leave for a dinner reservation and could not stay for the rest of the Q&A.
Andy started by saying it was a good time to collect. Because of the economy, K&C would be reducing the quantity of its production runs. He pointed out that old K&C has shown great value with new collectors still discovering our hobby. He mentioned Louis Badalato's quote that this is a good age of toy soldier collecting with the wide variety of different styles and innovation.
K&C looking at other countries for production and other opportunities and trying to keep products affordable, but "quality never comes cheap."
Andy mentioned that Figarti and John Jenkins had both done well by developing their own styles and exploring new themes. This drives the constant improvement that is seen at K&C, which is the result of a team effort by 24 employees (sculptors, advertising, warehouse, etc.). Every idea and release is thought out carefully.
Andy then invited questions:
1. Andy was asked for hint on next ancient line. Some ideas but sculpting had not started.
2. Would K&C be redoing other old releases as shown by the re-release of a SOHK sedan chair? Andy said that K&C is always looking at improving its figures. He looks at old releases and thinks how the present sculptors can do much better. Examples of this is the Market Garden line and the FJ line.
3. What part of the world has shown the most growth? What theme? Europe (UK, France and Italy) has shown highest percentage growth. Asia offer incredible opportunities with Andy mentioning that mainland Chinese come into the HK store and spend a lot of money. This year, Gordon not at West Coaster because he was working on a huge diorama for a new national dealer in South Korea: 24 sq. ft. diorama based on village in Saving Private Ryan. The most popular theme for these new markets like Korea is WWII and lines like SOHK. Andy thought that Japan offered a huge potential. Tourists come to HK and discover the toy soldier hobby when they come across the K&C store.
4. What is vision for Real West? When K&C was looking for a new theme, one of the ideas that Andy liked was the pre-Civil War era or 1849 to 1861. It had not been done by anyone else and K&C likes to cross market in that these figures can blend well with the Alamo figures. Mentioned that Alamo does very well in Texas given that the Alamo is one of the top tourist attractions in US. However, Alamo does not do well in rest of US. Next two releases in Real West designed and sculpted. If line does well, will go "gang busters" and issue quickly or just move slower. K&C does well because it stays focused on its target so it will stay with the 1850's first and not stray into other Western themes at this time.
5. American Camel Corp? Good idea ... K&C does camels very well.
6. British colonial? In 2007, Andy had the idea during the 25th anniversary year of repeating many of the early glossy figures in the present style. Big problem is space, both in production capacity and warehouse space, and the capability of dealers to absorb products. K&C has to keep old popular lines growing by constantly introducing new items, which takes up room. Room for new ideas like Real West and USN also has to be created. To make "space," K&C drops or retires older items. K&C is a business and has to make money to survive, but it can also have fun doing it. USN goes with SOHK and USN uniforms can work from WWI right up to WWII, which offers lots of uses for this line.
Unfortunately, I had to leave for a dinner reservation and could not stay for the rest of the Q&A.
