I have seen many people lamenting the decision by Parker to close their doors; and it usually goes something like, "They build a good bow, my first bow was a Parker."
Maybe that's it, not enough repeat business.
The barrier to entry in the bow market is pretty low; all you need is a CNC machine, and the know how to run it, to create a riser. Then you can outsource the strings and limbs and use a cam system under licensing. With very little R&D and just a little prototyping, you can have your own bow company!
But like it or not, archers aren't looking for the same old bow. This industry thrives on advancement, just like electronics, vehicles and so many more.
Parker built a good bow, no doubt, but there was no buzz and very little innovation.
Top shooters don't shoot Parker bows, TV and Social Media personalities don't shoot Parker bows and you just don't see them marketed like you do other bow companies. They took a risk by not spending money on marketing to be able to deliver a solid bow at a reduced price; and it didn't work.
There is a lesson here, going way back to the early to mid 90s with companies like PSE and Bear. Admittedly they got off track but were able to realize the mistake early on and use that knowledge to get back on track. Today they are among top tier companies in both bow sales and innovation, even though they are not after the same exact demographic (but there is overlap).
Over the years I have seen companies like CSS, Moon Archery, McPhereson and Strother come and go. Why? They all built great bows; was it mismanagement or something else. Many times it's something else.
That's just what happens in a free market, or should happen anyway (without corporate welfare and government bailouts). The market will dictate what sells and what doesn't based on an almost infinite number of variables (marketing, price, innovation, etc).
So, while it stinks that we loose another bow company, especially one that built good, solid, mid-priced bows, the market as a whole will be stronger for it.
Vaya con Dios Parker, it's been a good run.
Maybe that's it, not enough repeat business.
The barrier to entry in the bow market is pretty low; all you need is a CNC machine, and the know how to run it, to create a riser. Then you can outsource the strings and limbs and use a cam system under licensing. With very little R&D and just a little prototyping, you can have your own bow company!
But like it or not, archers aren't looking for the same old bow. This industry thrives on advancement, just like electronics, vehicles and so many more.
Parker built a good bow, no doubt, but there was no buzz and very little innovation.
Top shooters don't shoot Parker bows, TV and Social Media personalities don't shoot Parker bows and you just don't see them marketed like you do other bow companies. They took a risk by not spending money on marketing to be able to deliver a solid bow at a reduced price; and it didn't work.
There is a lesson here, going way back to the early to mid 90s with companies like PSE and Bear. Admittedly they got off track but were able to realize the mistake early on and use that knowledge to get back on track. Today they are among top tier companies in both bow sales and innovation, even though they are not after the same exact demographic (but there is overlap).
Over the years I have seen companies like CSS, Moon Archery, McPhereson and Strother come and go. Why? They all built great bows; was it mismanagement or something else. Many times it's something else.
That's just what happens in a free market, or should happen anyway (without corporate welfare and government bailouts). The market will dictate what sells and what doesn't based on an almost infinite number of variables (marketing, price, innovation, etc).
So, while it stinks that we loose another bow company, especially one that built good, solid, mid-priced bows, the market as a whole will be stronger for it.
Vaya con Dios Parker, it's been a good run.
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