Andy's Talk at 2009 West Coaster (1 Viewer)

Steven Chong

First Sergeant
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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.:eek:

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.:eek:
 
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.


WOW :):):)
Can't wait to see this. Hope pictures are posted in regards to this.
PLEASE keep us informed on this DIORAMA.
 
Thanks for the report, Steven. Bummer about Andy deciding against revisiting the British colonial stuff. I was really looking forward to that.
 
Steven

Thanks for the report - its always great to get the info. When you do get your figure - I am sure lots of us want to see what he did for the Westcoaster.

Thanks, Ron
 
Hi Steven,

As usual, you post an extremely informative and detailed report. Thanks for doing so. Your reports are always very, very useful.

In the first question you listed, you indicated that Andy had some ideas regarding a new line consisting of ancient era figures, but sculpting had not yet begun. Was Andy specific regarding what these new ideas might be? Or, did he simply say he had some ideas but was obviously not ready to reveal any further information? It would be very interesting to have a clue concerning the identity of this potential new line.

Again, thanks for your excellent report!

Warmest personal regards,

Pat :)
 
So Steve,
when Andy talks about scaling back production are is he saying less numbers per item or less items introduced?
Ray
 
I would assume this means we have less time to mull things over? If you see something you like buy it cause it may no be around as long as in previous times? Makes sense with the way the economy is no one wants extra stock sitting on the shelves hoping someone will eventually buy it.
 
I think the reasoning behind "...good time to collect" is that in this period of time, less products will be produced and in less numbers. I don't know if that will translate into higher prices later for these particular items or not. That is the assumption.
 
Thanks for the insight. I find it interesting that K&C will be looking for alternate production facilities to control prices and maybe lower prices. I presume some comments on this forum contributed to this since this is the first I have heard of this. In this environment, there has to be places that will do just as good a job at lower production costs.
 
For those who plan on speculating on rushing into what's headed your way remember what's happen to those who speculated on oil etc who were hoping to make large profits on their stock purchases. For those of you who plan on keeping them for your own enjoyment and to add to a series you've collecting have fun and enjoy your .....The Lt.
 
I know this has been discussed so all I will say is that I collect because I enjoy it. The toy soldiers & tanks & planes allow me a small escape from the realities I face everyday.
 
I know this has been discussed so all I will say is that I collect because I enjoy it. The toy soldiers & tanks & planes allow me a small escape from the realities I face everyday.

When the boxes arrived I still feel the same as I did long ago when I used to open my boxes of Timpo,Marx and Britains on Christmas morning!
 
...In the first question you listed, you indicated that Andy had some ideas regarding a new line consisting of ancient era figures, but sculpting had not yet begun. Was Andy specific regarding what these new ideas might be? Or, did he simply say he had some ideas but was obviously not ready to reveal any further information? It would be very interesting to have a clue concerning the identity of this potential new line...
Your second answer ... when asked for a specific hint by a collector who appeared to have talked with Andy about ancients during room trading, Andy answered that there were some ideas but that sculpting had not started. He was not more specific. Like on the forum, collectors at these meetings are always asking for what the next releases are going to be or for hints as to new lines. Andy does not answer these questions with the given reason that K&C does not want K&C's competition to know what K&C was planning to do.:eek:
 
Steven

Thanks for the report - its always great to get the info. When you do get your figure - I am sure lots of us want to see what he did for the Westcoaster.

Thanks, Ron
The figure was a Napoleonic figure: NA102 repainted with a white jacket with red facings. I got the figure the next day so was not present at the meeting when the regiment or nationality was disclosed. I hope someone who was at the meeting for the entire time at post the answer. In addition, another gift was 6 drawings by Andy that were passed out at the London Show.:)
 

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