On Wed, 3 Dec 2003 02:08:56 -0000, "IMM" wrote:
"Andy Hall" wrote in message
.. .
On Tue, 2 Dec 2003 22:32:46 -0000, "IMM" wrote:
Ryobi is a brand, it's called, Ryobi.
Not in the same sense as Makita, Bosch, etc.
http://www.ryobi-group.co.jp/en/proj...ols/index.html
Your point being?
The important issue is the quality point in the market, the product
design and manufacturing and the service backup.
These are closely related to the strength of a brand in the market and
a well defined positioning.
For example, Bosch have a green range (DIY) and a blue range
(professional). Makita have predominantly a professional range.
They are broadly distributed and have the service backup to match.
I don't consider three year warranties with no real service and repair
a valid service offering because typically the product is junked at
the end of that period since it will have been superceded. I would
rather pay more for a higher quality product that will work better
throughout its long life.
Ryobi position themselves with a range of predominantly DIY tools but
do not have a strong brand position. Sorry, but a web site in Japan
doesn't cut it.
I suggest you read their annual report. In 2003 their power tool
sales fell by nealry 25% and they sold off their power tools
subsidiaries outside Japan. Their sales of power tools were at
only around $200M which is small for what they are doing. This,
coupled with the financial data does not give a strong impression of
commitment to the power tools market. Their main business is
diecastings and printing machines.
A lot of what they make goes in rebadged form on the U.S. market,
where as I mentioned they only sell their own bramd through Home
Depot. Home Depot has a service arrangement worse than anything
one has seen in the UK and plays the numbers game just like most UK
sheds do with their own brand tools.
For example, Ryobi produces Sears Craftsman tool range, which has an
apalling reputation nowadays in the U.S.
Private labelling of products has the advantage for a manufacturer
that they can deliver product to more outlets without incurring the
costs of maintaining their own support infrastructure. It's also a
way to fill the factory. The problem is that this way of doing
business is fiercely competitive and products have to be made down to
a price. This way of working suits products positioned for the
consumer market and sold through volume retail channels at cheap
prices.
That's fine for what it is, but it has nothing to do with quality.
This almost always comes from manufacturers who design and build good
quality products and take responsibility themselves for them.
As a comparison, take a look at Makita's annual report. This has a
much clearer message as to strategy and indicated increased sales
figures to nearly $1500M for the same period in 2002/2003. There was
a 20% increase in sales in Europe which also accounts for a third of
their business. They have subsidiary sales and support
organisations in virtually every country.
I would rather buy a higher quality and properly supported product,
which, when all is taken into account costs the about the same in the
long run as one that isn't, yet runs better and produces better
results.
I have seen this attachment for sale in tool shops for £12
http://www.cumminstools.com/browse.cfm/4,132.html
I am sure that these are fine for what they are. However, the
dimensions of the gearbox appear to be a lot more than those of an
angle drill and may not fit into a small space which is where an angle
drill is often needed.
---
..andy
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