big bend gyrene wrote:
Excuses, debate, and / or misdirecting change of topic direction in 3, 2, 1...
Well, 2Salty, you proved me right... you say you are unable to find a single negative review on KastKing, I show how easy it is to find them, and versus addressing them you redirect to an attack on Shimano, showing that you definitely had the ability to find the negative reviews for KastKing but just weren't willing to do it.
Being a bit interested in finding out more about KastKing, let me tell you what I did... just went to their "About Us" description on Eposideon's webpage. Here's the link for anyone who wants to verify what I'm about to say.
http://www.eposeidon.com/about-us
Short summary is that a few Syracuse college kids decided to make some money by trying to cut financial costs out of the fishing merchandise supply chain. A careful read doesn't have the page speaking at all directly to research or design efforts but instead focuses primarily on cost reductions. Here's some key take away points I noted,
“We have the education and training in finance, e-commerce, internet technology, enterprise systems, supply chain management, and the best manufacturing practices”
"With factory direct sourcing and efficient business practices… we could pass the savings on to the consumer."
"It was always about low cost, not low quality, for the best product value. Therefore, Eposeidon relies on suppliers in various countries to provide the best quality manufacturing components available."
Again, 2Salty, best to know your audience before you preach too much so I'll share a bit more about my background.
I spent over 20 years in manufacturing, with approximately 15 of those years managing quality engineering groups and the other 5 actually serving as a production plant manager. I worked with some of the most reputable companies in the world across a variety of industries (armored vehicle control systems production, circuit board assembly, fiber optics, automotive part production, auto body steel stamping, plastic injection molding, and fine paper manufacturing).
Here's what I take away from their summary... they're likely doing some ***penny-smart*** things to control costs but that does ***NOT*** necessarily make them admirable nor mean they will work / provide consistent results for the long haul. Actually surprises me they are so willing to admit that much of their cost control is by way of outsourcing production overseas to the lowest cost foreign manufacturers possible. THAT SAID, 2Salty, without doubt they sure aren't alone in the use of overseas production so Shimano (and almost all fishing equip manufacturers) don't get a free pass there... but what I will say is that Shimano's origins go back almost 100 years, and during a period which saw Japanese quality rise to very high levels after engineering master mind W. Edwards Deming helped them develop sound quality control measures post-WWII. They've designed and manufactured reels now for almost 40 years.
Will kids (they just graduated in 2013) from Syracuse outperform Shimano in time? We'll see. All the typing either of us do won't likely impact that as much as whether or not KastKing tries to cut too many corners be it in through use of plants without tight enough controls, material issues, etc.
ALL of the above said, sincere question 2Salty... can't help but wonder if your picture is on this page AND / OR if you have ANY vested financial interest in the company. And if you aren't willing to address the question directly I'm going to assume you do have a biased financial interest.
http://www.eposeidon.com/teameposeidon/
