Rick's Comments During 2009 Lunch with Figarti (1 Viewer)

[Steven Chong]

The comments are in bullet points since Rick showed slides as he made comments.

After introducing his team, Rick reviewed this year.

• Great time to be collector since a lot of great products were being released by all the manufacturers.
• Figarti is making more frequent monthly releases.
• Figarti still improving the packaging with the test still being tossing the box out the 2nd floor window. Now using brass for many of the finer detail pieces because it is stronger than white metal or resin.
• Figarti stands by its products and will fix it.
• Figarti's business is growing and it is making money.

Committments:

• Figarti will listen to collectors and continue to innovate
• Will only make 100 of a set
• In the hobby long term as it enters its 6th year
• The "Figarti Way" while continuing to raise the bar

WHY DO WE ONLY MAKE 100 PIECES?

• Production run limitation since mold tolerance is only 95 to 108 pieces -- zinc alloy used has a higher melting point and is currently only being used by Britains and Figarti. 100 pieces is optimal for "one" production mold.
• Consistent with brand demand (we don't always get hits) -- Rick mentioned Stuarts and Wu Collection figures that still remain in Matt Murphy's warehouse after more than 4 years
• Don't want dealers stuck with unsold inventory -- their capital tied up in unsold product and that's bad for their business
• Because we can -- Figarti chooses to make "one" production run of 100 pieces beacuse it owns its own factory. There is no minimum orders requirement from a third party factory and no middle-man with its own overhead and profit margins. Figarti CAN make money making only 100 pieces. It makes sense for its size with 40 employees.

Rick then proceeded with showing new products. Rick looks at Forum surveys since he posted the percentage of members that asked for German Anti-Aircraft vehicles by introducing a 1/30 251/17 that would be available in early November. Also announced 1/30 15 cm sFH18 in winter camo. Rick then showed another survey result by stating that 41% had asked for a JS-2 and 56% had thought that Figarti could sell 100. Playing Russian music, Rick showed a 1/30 JS-2 prototype with launch date TBD. This means that Figarti will only produce it if there is lots of requests for this tank.

Rick then announced the "Good Guys":

• M3 Gun Motor Carriage (75mm) in British markings for Italy theater available in Nov/Dec
• M16 resin prototype available in Dec/Jan -- gun barrels slightly bent because resin master, actual production piece will have metal gun barrels like all Figarti vehicles

Rick mentioned that Figarti's reputation has been coming to the Chicago Show, making a lot of noise, then no products for months. This year the following were released with product available at the show

• "Go for Broke, 522nd Art." -- 105 mm Howitzer with 4 Nisei Japanese American crew members
• "Bofors protecting the Red Ball Express" -- Bofors 20mm AA Gun with African American crew
• "Texas Special M7 Priest" -- this vehicle different from British M7 Priest in that it has the extra armor placed to protect the ammo racks.
• "More Ammo" -- extra 3 figure set for Texas Special
• M3A1
• Halftrack -- 4 figures with 2 in 2nd Armor Div. spotted camo uniforms
• M4 Dozer

M4A1 Hedgerow Cutter which will be available in Nov.

Rick then showed slide pictures of the Stun and Awe, a 1/30 scale LCT Mk6 with 10 crew. It was about 4 feet long!!! The walls divding the room with the luncheon guests from the adjacent room was then moved to reveal a huge STUN AND AWE beach diorama that was 72" by 180" with 3 LCT's and about 30 vehicles that had a special Chicago Show stamp!!!!

 

[Rob]

The comments are in bullet points since Rick showed slides as he made comments.

After introducing his team, Rick reviewed this year.

• Great time to be collector since a lot of great products were being released by all the manufacturers.
• Figarti is making more frequent monthly releases.
• Figarti still improving the packaging with the test still being tossing the box out the 2nd floor window. Now using brass for many of the finer detail pieces because it is stronger than white metal or resin.
• Figarti stands by its products and will fix it.
• Figarti's business is growing and it is making money.

Committments:

• Figarti will listen to collectors and continue to innovate
• Will only make 100 of a set
• In the hobby long term as it enters its 6th year
• The "Figarti Way" while continuing to raise the bar

WHY DO WE ONLY MAKE 100 PIECES?

• Production run limitation since mold tolerance is only 95 to 108 pieces -- zinc alloy used has a higher melting point and is currently only being used by Britains and Figarti. 100 pieces is optimal for "one" production mold.
• Consistent with brand demand (we don't always get hits) -- Rick mentioned Stuarts and Wu Collection figures that still remain in Matt Murphy's warehouse after more than 4 years
• Don't want dealers stuck with unsold inventory -- their capital tied up in unsold product and that's bad for their business
• Because we can -- Figarti chooses to make "one" production run of 100 pieces beacuse it owns its own factory. There is no minimum orders requirement from a third party factory and no middle-man with its own overhead and profit margins. Figarti CAN make money making only 100 pieces. It makes sense for its size with 40 employees.

Rick then proceeded with showing new products. Rick looks at Forum surveys since he posted the percentage of members that asked for German Anti-Aircraft vehicles by introducing a 1/30 251/17 that would be available in early November. Also announced 1/30 15 cm sFH18 in winter camo. Rick then showed another survey result by stating that 41% had asked for a JS-2 and 56% had thought that Figarti could sell 100. Playing Russian music, Rick showed a 1/30 JS-2 prototype with launch date TBD. This means that Figarti will only produce it if there is lots of requests for this tank.

Rick then announced the "Good Guys":

• M3 Gun Motor Carriage (75mm) in British markings for Italy theater available in Nov/Dec
• M16 resin prototype available in Dec/Jan -- gun barrels slightly bent because resin master, actual production piece will have metal gun barrels like all Figarti vehicles

Rick mentioned that Figarti's reputation has been coming to the Chicago Show, making a lot of noise, then no products for months. This year the following were released with product available at the show

• "Go for Broke, 522nd Art." -- 105 mm Howitzer with 4 Nisei Japanese American crew members
• "Bofors protecting the Red Ball Express" -- Bofors 20mm AA Gun with African American crew
• "Texas Special M7 Priest" -- this vehicle different from British M7 Priest in that it has the extra armor placed to protect the ammo racks.
• "More Ammo" -- extra 3 figure set for Texas Special
• M3A1
• Halftrack -- 4 figures with 2 in 2nd Armor Div. spotted camo uniforms
• M4 Dozer

M4A1 Hedgerow Cutter which will be available in Nov.

Rick then showed slide pictures of the Stun and Awe, a 1/30 scale LCT Mk6 with 10 crew. It was about 4 feet long!!! The walls divding the room with the luncheon guests from the ajacent room was then moved to reveal a huge STUN AND AWE beach diorama that was 72" by 180" with 3 LCT's and about 30 vehicles that had a special Chicago Show stamp!!!!

Excellent thanks for posting all this Steven.

Rob

 

[historyfan1]

Thanks Steven. Any pictures of the other stuff being released?

 

[Steven Chong]

Thanks Steven. Any pictures of the other stuff being released?

Carlos took a lot of pictures and will be posting them over the next few days.

 

[glossman]

*
Hello Steven,

Thanks again for another great summary.

Needless to say, I am stunned and awed by the LCT Mk6.

Best Regards, Raymond.

*

 

[Panzer]

Thanks Steven! I always look forward to your excellent reports!
Semper Fi!
Rick

 

[JPB]

Super

JPB

 

[Wraith]

Many thanks for the report Steven. Always good to get hot off the press intel.

Cheers
Simon

 

[Cyber Field Marshall]

Looks like a lot of really exciting and well made pieces in the pipeline. Good to hear Figarti is listening to us TREEFROGGERS. The justification for 100 pieces is interesting and makes sense and I'm glad it works for them. That business model however really makes it tough on collectors with modest incomes/budgets to purchase their product consistently but perhaps this business strategy is meant to exclude that very consumer segment.

 

[Go for Broke]

Well, I just got to get the "Go For Broke" Howitzer.

 

[old tank]

Thank you STEVE and ROB for information of upcoming releases. Will keep close attention on figarti.

 

[Alexdakar]

Thanks Steven its almost like being there with your report.

 

[Steven Chong]

Looks like a lot of really exciting and well made pieces in the pipeline. Good to hear Figarti is listening to us TREEFROGGERS. The justification for 100 pieces is interesting and makes sense and I'm glad it works for them. That business model however really makes it tough on collectors with modest incomes/budgets to purchase their product consistently but perhaps this business strategy is meant to exclude that very consumer segment.

I have to respectfully disagree with your conclusion. As reported, the business model appears to arise from the physical production limitation of only being able to get an average of 100 pieces from a single mold and past demand. Out of the recent releases, I believe only the Winter 88, Winter Prime Mover and Sherman with Deep Wading Vents have sold out. This is unfortunately not typical for Figarti. Not wishing to increase overhead by adding more employees or spending money to make another mold that will not be fully utilized is simply a business decision to keep production costs at a level known to make money.

 

[lenswerks]

I have to respectfully disagree with your conclusion. As reported, the business model appears to arise from the physical production limitation of only being able to get an average of 100 pieces from a single mold and past demand. Out of the recent releases, I believe only the Winter 88, Winter Prime Mover and Sherman with Deep Wading Vents have sold out. This is unfortunately not typical for Figarti. Not wishing to increase overhead by adding more employees or spending money to make another mold that will not be fully utilized is simply a business decision to keep production costs at a level known to make money.

Thanks for the explanation.
I like that QC is a high concern and that every piece produced will have the same crisp detail.

 

[jazzeum]

Looks like a lot of really exciting and well made pieces in the pipeline. Good to hear Figarti is listening to us TREEFROGGERS. The justification for 100 pieces is interesting and makes sense and I'm glad it works for them. That business model however really makes it tough on collectors with modest incomes/budgets to purchase their product consistently but perhaps this business strategy is meant to exclude that very consumer segment.

I have to respectfully disagree with your conclusion. As reported, the business model appears to arise from the physical production limitation of only being able to get an average of 100 pieces from a single mold and past demand. Out of the recent releases, I believe only the Winter 88, Winter Prime Mover and Sherman with Deep Wading Vents have sold out. This is unfortunately not typical for Figarti. Not wishing to increase overhead by adding more employees or spending money to make another mold that will not be fully utilized is simply a business decision to keep production costs at a level known to make money.

Also in talking to Rick, he is going to try to see if release times an be spaced out. This was only a suggestion and please don't take it as a commitment by him to do so.

As a caveat, please not that in Steven's and my comments, several things are due out in the November and December timeframe so we will need to make choices as we always have to do.

 

[joesgis]

Also in talking to Rick, he is going to try to see if release times an be spaced out. This was only a suggestion and please don't take it as a commitment by him to do so.

As a caveat, please not that in Steven's and my comments, several things are due out in the November and December timeframe so we will need to make choices as we always have to do.

I'm scraping together funds as I'm reading this and submittimg my Christmas list to my better half early this year !