Something going on at Cabrinha

[Regis-de-giens]

North may want to launch kites models under their North name (to punish "Duotone" that intends to pass-by the name North) ? tricky scenario ...

[SENDIT!]

I would guess that North is offering an opportunity to do things the way these guys think it should be done, and by providing them with all the best technology and expertise from North sails maybe a career change offer was just to good to refuse...? After 20 years of the same politics it doesn't take much to jump ship if you are promised more control of direction and vision....

My guess is this is pretty close. I mean, maybe North is offering a substantial pay increase PLUS the ability to have more input/control over the end product. Not to mention, some people would look at the ability to build something from "scratch" as very satisfying. But, who knows...

As far as something being wrong at Cabrinha, all I can say is I was at the dealer meeting in June and I saw some pretty cool stuff. No signs of disaster that I could see; in fact lots of very stoked people. And no, Cab doesn't release on August 1st, it's the 14th.

[Foxi]

As long as the kite market is not growing significantly any more, NewOldNorthKB needed to grab market shares from current competitors to establish their so far unknown and unprooved products. As long as there is no new and really game changing crossbow-like patent around, which they might count on, I´d wonder what makes them putting so much money on the desk with people with a known industry track record, yes agreed, but of course no Steve Jobs visions proven so far. I cannot imagine a strategy to stick NKB labels onto a Cab product to add value. And by the way scare off Cab customers who did explicitely dislike NKB. There must be something new we are not aware of.
Or apart from whining dealers there are still huge profit opportunities in the business.

[coupdevill]

As I understand it:

NP and Cabrinha have/are parting ways

North Sails (Licensing North Kites) has parted ways with Boards & More (my guess is NS wanted more for licensing fees or hostile buyout etc.)

Boards & More Re-launch the snowboard brand name DouTone as a kite brand

North Sails sees an opportunity when NP/Cabrinha part ways

These moves are rarely a good sign, rarely!

coup

[Romes_A]

There are a lot of rumors at the kite top beaches.....

one of them is that Kitebrands cant keep this pace of sponsorships, travels and everything easy and relax. they spent too much in those things and many of them are broke.....

so they are saling they brands , patents, or unite 2 o 3 old brands or companys in one only.

for sure this is going to be a new begining in the way the kite bussines move from now.

I just pray and hope we customers, riders and pioneers of this amazing sport dont result damage with hight prices, etc

[decay]

I would guess that North is offering an opportunity to do things the way these guys think it should be done, and by providing them with all the best technology and expertise from North sails maybe a career change offer was just to good to refuse...? After 20 years of the same politics it doesn't take much to jump ship if you are promised more control of direction and vision....

^^^ Very close to the truth

[shawn13]

And no, Cab doesn't release on August 1st, it's the 14th.

The past three years gear has been released Aug 1st. So for some reason they have decided to stray this year...

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=2397033&hilit=cabrinha+2018

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=2393414&p=939973&hi ... 17#p939973

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=2389706&p=896680&hi ... os#p896680

[matth]

Just keep making the same dam kites if money is the issue, the current designs work great and would keep me happy for the next twenty years if they made no changes...

[Toby]

I would guess that North is offering an opportunity to do things the way these guys think it should be done, and by providing them with all the best technology and expertise from North sails maybe a career change offer was just to good to refuse...? After 20 years of the same politics it doesn't take much to jump ship if you are promised more control of direction and vision....

^^^ Very close to the truth

decay saying so ... I believe!

[Laughingman]

I would guess that North is offering an opportunity to do things the way these guys think it should be done, and by providing them with all the best technology and expertise from North sails maybe a career change offer was just to good to refuse...? After 20 years of the same politics it doesn't take much to jump ship if you are promised more control of direction and vision....

^^^ Very close to the truth

decay saying so ... I believe!

Laughingman = smrt!