Steven Chong
First Sergeant
- Joined
- Aug 25, 2005
- Messages
- 1,365
Before I summarize Andy's talk, I want to thank Peter and Shannon Reuss of Treefrog Treasures, Mike and Myszka Hall of Sierra Toy Soldier Company, and Tim Tyler of Troops of Time for the wonderful dinner. Because of the flu, Tim was unable to attend the dinner.
I am probably mispelling his name and apologize ahead of time, but a special guest, Paul Forneric(?), provided memorabilia and vignettes of his uncle, Adoph, who served in the U.S. Army during the Battle of the Bulge. Each guest received copies of official commendations and pictures of Adoph and his comrades. We thank him and all other veterans for their service.
Andy started by introducing his former wife, Laura McAllister, who remains a good friend and business partner. She was credited with suggesting that Andy start K&C. When Andy complained about not finding toy soldiers he liked, Laura told him, "This is Hong Kong, the toy capital of the world ... why don't we make our own." Andy then introduced Laura's son, Jamie Johnson, and the K&C Chicago team, Helen Mok Sargent, Gordon Neilson and Patrick Lee. Andy answered questions for about 45 minutes.
Andy started by mentioning that despite the economy, K&C has continued to grow. He stated that K&C products are a great value for the money since few investments have risen in value like K&C. Competition is good since it keeps everyone on their toes. The K&C Team is the best in his humble opinion, but always learning. Chicago Show is vital since it allows Andy and his team to talk to collectors. They may not always agree with the collector's opinion but they always listen.
Andy then opened the floor for questions:
A. Will K&C ever redo a set that has been retired? NO, will never repeat exactly the same set. K&C products is an investment that increases in value because the business model of not reissuing retired items works. Also no fun redoing old sets.
B. Submarine diorama has several building facades ... will K&C do them? The facades are dock related and K&C prefers to do more generic facades for towns or villages. Whether dock related facades are produced will depend on the legs of the submarine project, which is a SL item.
C. Last 10 years, what has been the most disappointing project? Iwo Jima ... collectors did not buy them. Andy jokingly suggested that collectors get these figures since the poor sellers have historically been proven to be more rare in the future, thus worth more. WWII collectors prefer Western Front. Have to run K&C as a business and do what sells. [REPORTER COMMENT: Collectors should understand that in past meetings, Andy has explained what he means by "poor sellers." A "good seller" sells most of the inventory within 6 to 8 months while a "poor seller" might take 18 months. The "poor seller" eventually sells most of the production run, but capital and warehouse space is tied up in these slow selling products and K&C prefers to do products that sell relatively more quickly.]
D. Plans on ACW Union personalities? Yes, personalities sell. Just released Confederate personalities and plan to release Union personalities in early 2010. Andy disclosed that one figure will be John Buford (calvary commander at Gettysburg) and some associated figures. I am guessing Reynolds.
E. U.S. Air Force (Army Air Corp.)? Yes, Jan. 2010 will see release of P-51B (razorback), pilots, ground crew, MP's, personalities and assessories.
F. Any more Alamo figures? Yes, Mexican Dragoons, new Davy Crockett, Travis and Jim Bowie.
G. Suggestion that K&C do US pilots serving in RAF (before US declared war): One of the future Spitfires will be Eagle Squadron with a specific pilot personality.
H. Are your competitors healthy? Are younger people coming into hobby? Have seen many young people at recent Sierra Toy Soldier event. There will always be a minority of children interested in history who become collectors; but unfortunately, history is not being taught like in the past. K&C is trying to educate young people about history through its products. K&C has traveled and spent more this year than in the past in trying to meet challenge of attracting more people to hobby: Korea, Australia with future planned trips to UK, Paris, Florence and Rome. Spending lots of money promoting hobby. Also mentioned that Britains is organizing special event and they are very proactive. Strong continue to be strong.
I. More German paratroopers for Normandy? NO, recent German paratroopers did not do well, so it is a business decisions. Let competitors do it since there is good work being done.
J. What is attracting young people into hobby? Primarily WWII since kids see WWII movies and programmking on History Channel -- more exposure to WWII. It's kids who are interested in history and like action, not parades.
K. Book on how to do K&C type dioramas? Have thought about it but don't know. Recommended Louis Badalato and Kevin Elliot's two new K&C books.
L. Consider doing Tuskegee airman or other personalities? Andy started by apologizing if anyone will be offended by the next statement, but he has been told that black figures do not sell. Mentioned that there were no African American collectors at the dinner.
I am probably mispelling his name and apologize ahead of time, but a special guest, Paul Forneric(?), provided memorabilia and vignettes of his uncle, Adoph, who served in the U.S. Army during the Battle of the Bulge. Each guest received copies of official commendations and pictures of Adoph and his comrades. We thank him and all other veterans for their service.
Andy started by introducing his former wife, Laura McAllister, who remains a good friend and business partner. She was credited with suggesting that Andy start K&C. When Andy complained about not finding toy soldiers he liked, Laura told him, "This is Hong Kong, the toy capital of the world ... why don't we make our own." Andy then introduced Laura's son, Jamie Johnson, and the K&C Chicago team, Helen Mok Sargent, Gordon Neilson and Patrick Lee. Andy answered questions for about 45 minutes.
Andy started by mentioning that despite the economy, K&C has continued to grow. He stated that K&C products are a great value for the money since few investments have risen in value like K&C. Competition is good since it keeps everyone on their toes. The K&C Team is the best in his humble opinion, but always learning. Chicago Show is vital since it allows Andy and his team to talk to collectors. They may not always agree with the collector's opinion but they always listen.
Andy then opened the floor for questions:
A. Will K&C ever redo a set that has been retired? NO, will never repeat exactly the same set. K&C products is an investment that increases in value because the business model of not reissuing retired items works. Also no fun redoing old sets.
B. Submarine diorama has several building facades ... will K&C do them? The facades are dock related and K&C prefers to do more generic facades for towns or villages. Whether dock related facades are produced will depend on the legs of the submarine project, which is a SL item.
C. Last 10 years, what has been the most disappointing project? Iwo Jima ... collectors did not buy them. Andy jokingly suggested that collectors get these figures since the poor sellers have historically been proven to be more rare in the future, thus worth more. WWII collectors prefer Western Front. Have to run K&C as a business and do what sells. [REPORTER COMMENT: Collectors should understand that in past meetings, Andy has explained what he means by "poor sellers." A "good seller" sells most of the inventory within 6 to 8 months while a "poor seller" might take 18 months. The "poor seller" eventually sells most of the production run, but capital and warehouse space is tied up in these slow selling products and K&C prefers to do products that sell relatively more quickly.]
D. Plans on ACW Union personalities? Yes, personalities sell. Just released Confederate personalities and plan to release Union personalities in early 2010. Andy disclosed that one figure will be John Buford (calvary commander at Gettysburg) and some associated figures. I am guessing Reynolds.
E. U.S. Air Force (Army Air Corp.)? Yes, Jan. 2010 will see release of P-51B (razorback), pilots, ground crew, MP's, personalities and assessories.
F. Any more Alamo figures? Yes, Mexican Dragoons, new Davy Crockett, Travis and Jim Bowie.
G. Suggestion that K&C do US pilots serving in RAF (before US declared war): One of the future Spitfires will be Eagle Squadron with a specific pilot personality.
H. Are your competitors healthy? Are younger people coming into hobby? Have seen many young people at recent Sierra Toy Soldier event. There will always be a minority of children interested in history who become collectors; but unfortunately, history is not being taught like in the past. K&C is trying to educate young people about history through its products. K&C has traveled and spent more this year than in the past in trying to meet challenge of attracting more people to hobby: Korea, Australia with future planned trips to UK, Paris, Florence and Rome. Spending lots of money promoting hobby. Also mentioned that Britains is organizing special event and they are very proactive. Strong continue to be strong.
I. More German paratroopers for Normandy? NO, recent German paratroopers did not do well, so it is a business decisions. Let competitors do it since there is good work being done.
J. What is attracting young people into hobby? Primarily WWII since kids see WWII movies and programmking on History Channel -- more exposure to WWII. It's kids who are interested in history and like action, not parades.
K. Book on how to do K&C type dioramas? Have thought about it but don't know. Recommended Louis Badalato and Kevin Elliot's two new K&C books.
L. Consider doing Tuskegee airman or other personalities? Andy started by apologizing if anyone will be offended by the next statement, but he has been told that black figures do not sell. Mentioned that there were no African American collectors at the dinner.
Last edited:
