Steven Chong
First Sergeant
- Joined
- Aug 25, 2005
- Messages
- 1,365
This is the 7th year that Figarti has been in business. In 2010, it is a great time to collect, but purchases by collectors are more selective. Chinese factories are struggling with labor issues, increased costs, currency devaluations, etc. However, hobby is growing.
Rick thanked his distributors: Clive of Grey Goose Collectibles and Matt of Hobby Bunker, and all of Figarti's dealers, including those dealers attending the lunch: Shannon Reuss (and son Ben) of Treefrog; Mike Hall of Sierra Toy Soldier, and Peter Nathan. He also thanked collectors for Figarti's continued growth.
However, in order for Figarti to constantly improve themselves, the Figarti Way needs to be: single-minded: focus and relentlessly ambitious; genuine: straight talking and professional; brave: pioneering new ideas and not afraid to make mistakes; and independent: a modern company not constrained by industry convention.
Rick announced gifts of Jagdpanzer IV L70 for Gideon (Treefrog member) for posting the 10,000th post, one of a kind paint variant M1 Abrams for Louis for creating Figarti room in his museum, and one of a kind paint variant Churchill AVRE for Brad for visiting Figarti factory. Rick reminded everyone that anyone who visits Figarti factory in Shanghai will be a specially painted vehicle.
Rick showed picture of Brad painting something at the Figarti factory and told everyone this was the reason for some bad paint work.
Rick started talking about a strategic alliance with the two companies working together to make this hobby more interesting and fun and helping Figarti to expand into other eras & subject matters. He mentioned Artist Club and collaboration with Build-a-Rama, and he thanked Joseph Neumeyer of Dynamic Dioramas and Alex and Nick of Battle Scene Productions for dioramas used at Chicago. Rick then intoduced a new alliance for 2011 between Figarti and Aeroart /St. Petersburg with figures sculpted in Russia and painted in China. Thor Johnson of Aeroart then talked about finding the St. Petersburg style figures, creating a business, and the search for alternatives to Russian painters due to numerous problems. Thor mentioned that Figarti had come a long way in only 7 short years and that James and Rick Wang are the kind of people that could make this alliance work. Prototypes of an American Civil War line was then shown.
Rick then showed a Tri-Camo 88 stating that it was completely retooled with more detail like folding seats, no need for screws to attach wheels, and moveable stabilizers with working levers to lock them.
Rick asked what defines a Figarti "Shock and Awe" and proceeded to list the following:
It should not be based on price or size alone.
It should be an item that generates excitement
It should stand out by itself when displayed
It is something that catches your eye immediately
It should be something people talk about, a conversation piece
And only Figarti would do it.
Rick then introduced Karl Morser 54cm for $399 It has rifled barrel and comes with 3 figures.
There is also railway carrier for Karl Morser for $399.
Then, there was the sound of a steam whistle and the chugging sound of a train as Rick revealed a German BR 52 steam engine for $499.
To complete the new Reichsbahn line:
Flatbed Wagon ETG-034)
Gondola Wagon (ETG-035)
Boxcar Wagon (ETG-036)
Light Flatcar Wagon (ETG-037)
Track Barrier (ETG-041)
Water Column” (ETG-042)
Coaling Crane” (ETG-043)
Low Goods Wagon (ETG-047)
Passenger Wagon (ETG-048)
Extra Railway Track” (ETG-056)
Then ... one final "little" surprise:
It's not for everyone,
But it is Figarti getting into other historical eras,
It is expensive, but you will see why,
Has it been done before in our industry? No!
Will you be "Shocked and Awed?" We hope so!
Rick then showed a clip from a program on the History Channel that talked about ships of the line and specifically the HMS Victory!!! $6500 delivered to your door with 40 figures!!!
Rick thanked his distributors: Clive of Grey Goose Collectibles and Matt of Hobby Bunker, and all of Figarti's dealers, including those dealers attending the lunch: Shannon Reuss (and son Ben) of Treefrog; Mike Hall of Sierra Toy Soldier, and Peter Nathan. He also thanked collectors for Figarti's continued growth.
However, in order for Figarti to constantly improve themselves, the Figarti Way needs to be: single-minded: focus and relentlessly ambitious; genuine: straight talking and professional; brave: pioneering new ideas and not afraid to make mistakes; and independent: a modern company not constrained by industry convention.
Rick announced gifts of Jagdpanzer IV L70 for Gideon (Treefrog member) for posting the 10,000th post, one of a kind paint variant M1 Abrams for Louis for creating Figarti room in his museum, and one of a kind paint variant Churchill AVRE for Brad for visiting Figarti factory. Rick reminded everyone that anyone who visits Figarti factory in Shanghai will be a specially painted vehicle.
Rick showed picture of Brad painting something at the Figarti factory and told everyone this was the reason for some bad paint work.
Rick started talking about a strategic alliance with the two companies working together to make this hobby more interesting and fun and helping Figarti to expand into other eras & subject matters. He mentioned Artist Club and collaboration with Build-a-Rama, and he thanked Joseph Neumeyer of Dynamic Dioramas and Alex and Nick of Battle Scene Productions for dioramas used at Chicago. Rick then intoduced a new alliance for 2011 between Figarti and Aeroart /St. Petersburg with figures sculpted in Russia and painted in China. Thor Johnson of Aeroart then talked about finding the St. Petersburg style figures, creating a business, and the search for alternatives to Russian painters due to numerous problems. Thor mentioned that Figarti had come a long way in only 7 short years and that James and Rick Wang are the kind of people that could make this alliance work. Prototypes of an American Civil War line was then shown.
Rick then showed a Tri-Camo 88 stating that it was completely retooled with more detail like folding seats, no need for screws to attach wheels, and moveable stabilizers with working levers to lock them.
Rick asked what defines a Figarti "Shock and Awe" and proceeded to list the following:
It should not be based on price or size alone.
It should be an item that generates excitement
It should stand out by itself when displayed
It is something that catches your eye immediately
It should be something people talk about, a conversation piece
And only Figarti would do it.
Rick then introduced Karl Morser 54cm for $399
It has rifled barrel and comes with 3 figures.There is also railway carrier for Karl Morser for $399.
Then, there was the sound of a steam whistle and the chugging sound of a train as Rick revealed a German BR 52 steam engine for $499.
To complete the new Reichsbahn line:
Flatbed Wagon ETG-034)
Gondola Wagon (ETG-035)
Boxcar Wagon (ETG-036)
Light Flatcar Wagon (ETG-037)
Track Barrier (ETG-041)
Water Column” (ETG-042)
Coaling Crane” (ETG-043)
Low Goods Wagon (ETG-047)
Passenger Wagon (ETG-048)
Extra Railway Track” (ETG-056)
Then ... one final "little" surprise:
It's not for everyone,
But it is Figarti getting into other historical eras,
It is expensive, but you will see why,
Has it been done before in our industry? No!
Will you be "Shocked and Awed?" We hope so!
Rick then showed a clip from a program on the History Channel that talked about ships of the line and specifically the HMS Victory!!! $6500 delivered to your door with 40 figures!!!
