Kurt Grabmayer: “Rod makers need to listen more to their customers” Kurt Grabmayer, founder of Angelsport Grabmayer and the man behind the Aquaborne brand, believes it is has never been more important for rod manufacturers to listen to consumer demand. And he is confident that companies with new ideas can enjoy significant sales increases in 2010. Grabmayer is himself a celebrated carp angler and his own fishing activities enable him to stay very much in touch with the marketplace, a fact he knows has helped him enjoy good sales in 2009. He also knows that market needs are constantly changing. Looking ahead, he said: “Those few who can react quickly to changing demands will earn good money. The inflexible and lazier ones will see a decrease in sales. As the market offering is presently outsized, it is more important than ever to observe and react to consumer needs.” Grabmayer predicts that many manufacturers will need to reduce costs, but believes the niche appeal of Aquaborne will protect him from such measures. Falling carbon prices have been countered by a hard-
ening of prices for rod components, he argues. Grabmayer also has strong views about lifelong warranties. “It is imprudent and means you have to increase the price,” he maintains. “This works against buyers but generates a lot of vandalised rods to get replacements. I prefer normal warranty times, say two to three years, and reduced prices.” The Aquaborne brand has enjoyed steady growth as markets have been established in the UK, Austria, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Holland and Poland. Now it is seeking dealers in France, Belgium, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Italy, Romania and the Czech Republic.
“Those few manufacturers who react quickly to changing demands will still earn good money”
Preston Innovations makes surprise entry into European carp market Europe’s carp fishing companies will be looking over their shoulders at the news that Preston Innovations plans to introduce its own carp brand. The UK company, owner of Korum and Sonu Baits, has an excellent reputation for quality and is very highly regarded in the industry for its coarse and match fishing products. Angling International understands that company head Dave Preston is personally leading the drive to break into the carp market with a brand called Core.
Preston has historically kept a low profile but his passion for the new project is already apparent and he is clearly taking a hands-on role at this stage. Weekly UK newspaper Angling Times, which broke the news to anglers, reports that accessories will lead the launch, followed by rods, bivvies, luggage and barrows, with the Core brand available in the spring of next year. In view of his expansion plans, Preston is looking to make at least one senior appointment with industry experience to help maintain the company’s rapid growth. Preston’s transition into carp will appear to some to be inevitable for a company reporting 20% year-on-year growth and striving to maintain that momentum.
“Company head Dave Preston is personally leading the drive into carp with a brand called Core”
US recession ‘probably’ set to end The US tackle trade has been cheered by reports that the country’s worst recession since the Great Depression ‘will probably end in the third quarter.’ But the recent survey of private economists also warns that uncertainty exists over the speed and duration of economic recovery. Around 90% of respondents to The Blue Chip Economic Indicators Survey believe the downturn is coming to an end.
Recent data including housing and key labour market indicators has also suggested a bottoming out. The upbeat assessment is strongly influenced by a contraction in gross domestic product of only 1% in the second quarter, compared to a fall of 6.4% in the previous quarter. However, many believe the rate of recovery may stall again before a brisker, more lasting rate of expansion takes hold.