This is a foolish idea but I would value opinions please. I am not a business man so feel free to shout crazy…
How much would it cost to build a new set of forged muscleback irons? Independent of the big company stuff…
What are the stages in doing this? I’m guessing at …
1. Design
CAD designed concept - Resin model - master - Tooling - prototypes
2. Production
Forging -grinding - chrome - decorative finishing
3. Distribution
So , from design computer to factory to doorstep…
1. Design
A) I imagine that you can spend unlimited amounts at each and every step… but keeping it simple… limit design to copying an old classic forged model… pick your favourite 1950/60s MacGregor or Hogan or Wilson… maybe use the computer to updtae the COG location a little …I am assuming that the designs are no longer under patent?? I am not a lawyer either so forgive me if I am wrong on that… but there must be a time limit to the patent on design - no??
I can’t believe that it is too costly to reverse-engineer a design from these classics - 3 D scan …convert to CAD model… 3D print a resin model…
B) Then use CAD program to CNC mill your forging dyes… this seems to be the most expensive bit in development… in 2009 Tom Wishon quoted:
“The other thing that killed forging houses in the US was the cost of US made forging dies. US toolmakers asked more than 2x the money to make the dies vs what the off shore toolmakers would charge. For even the big companies, who are all faced with the reality that their forged irons are not going to sell nearly as many units as their cast models, looking at $100+K vs $45K for your tooling and then 25% lower per piece costs made that a fairly easy decision - especially when the off shore forging houses developed the production quality too.”
2. Production
A run of 1000 forged sets… I have no idea how much profit is made at each stage…but given a new set of forged irons might retail at $900… i guess there has to be enough profit for the retailer and manufacturer…maybe about 100% at each stage??
So manufacturing cost is $250 per set of 9 irons…sells to retailer at $500…who sells to Joe Public at $900-1000
Sorry if those figures are way off …I am looking for help here
3. Distribution
Well - to get the Wishon prices we got to use the same forging house he does in Taiwan ( I think it moved from West China to Taiwan)…so we have to get product to doorsteps… might not be to hard if we use a few centralised hubs on each continent and all clubs are pre- sold to the investing stock-holders… BUt it is going to be $50-100 per set max??
[size=150]Costs [/size]
1. Design
I am guessing at $10,000 to get CAD design?? and $50,000 for the forging dyes (inflation post Wishon quote) = $60,000
2. Production
1000 sets at $250 each = $250,000
3. Distribution
1000 sets at $100 each = $100,000
Sub-Total = $410,000
Additional (unexpected) costs = $90,000
$500,000 total.
[size=150]HOW do we pay for it…[/size]
250 investors ($400 dollars each) = $100,000 - covers design / creation of forging dyes / downpayment with forging house in Taiwan…
Each investor buys 4 sets of irons at $250 = $1000 and with 250 investors = $250,000
SO total raised so far = $350,000 and we have 4 sets of new irons sitting in the factory in taiwan.
Assuming the remaining costs are transport and emergency fund …each investor needs to find another $600 (250x$600 = $150,000 hence making our cool half million $) …some of which they might get back if transport and additional expenses are not incurred…
SO total investment for each investor = $2000 - for which they receive 4 sets of irons delivered to their doorstep.
It would not be unreasonable for an investor to keep 1 set and sell the other 3 sets…
If they sold at $500 each (heads only… still less than retail) then each investor would get to keep a set of 1 in a 1000 limited edition classic blades for final cost of $500 heads only…
…add in your shaft and ferrule and grips = $700… we are talking alot less than Miura!! and still alot less than retail Callaway/ mizuno…
shop.pgatoursuperstore.com/clubs … .aspx?gd=1
Possible people to make this happen:
sheetsdesigngroup.com/design.html
endo-mfg.co.jp/en/contents/t … index.html
kyoeigolf.co.jp/corporate/english.shtml
I saw somebody post a similar breakdown of how they might create a wound balata ball…and the costs just did not work out no matter how many balls you requested…
BUT creating a a few TRGA approved classic irons seems to be not unreasonable…
[size=150]What might be tricky…?
[/size]
… (but not impossible)
FInding 250 investors who can agree on :
- Which design to go for… which classic to copy
- Which garde of metal to forge with …1020…1035 etc
- What finish - chrome , satin…
Any thoughts? Thanks