Julie,

I wonder if you and Mark of Puppet Mart could go in on a roll together.  I know that in a way you are both in competition but in this case it may be a win win combination. I think that Mark was getting his supply from Georgia Stage so if you both went in on a roll and split it then you could maybe compete with the price at Georgia Stage. Just a thought.

I don't consider him competition in the negative sense of the word, because it is my belief that there is plenty of business out there for all of us. So sharing wouldn't be a problem.  I try very hard to refer others to fellow puppet makers etc when they have a product that I am unable to carry.  Getting a roll together sounds like a good idea, but Hampshire will only send out a full roll, so by the time it was shipped to one of us, then we split it, shipped to the other person that would pretty much bring the price up to Georgia Stage price.  There is a price break for a full roll, but the shipping is high because of the size of the roll, so Georgia Stage does not have an great mark up.  I don't mind carrying the full roll if I thought there was a market that would come to me.  90% of my business is blacklight, so that's the type of customer that frequents my site currently.  I'm sure if I began listing ANTRON is HERE!!! it might show up in the search engines. LOL

I just wonder if Matt already has some on order from Georgia or Hampshire.  His sight says he hopes to have more in stock and the end of June.  Anyone know when he'll be back open for business?  Honestly I've only been to his site once, so I'm not familiar with what else he carries.  

Julie

UPDATE:  Sorry Matt...I keep calling you Mark.  Oops.   

You know, this conversation makes me think there should be unofficial suppliers in various locations - one in Europe, one in Asia-Pacific, one in the US. Seems to me a few of the puppet sellers here could get together, buy a roll, split it, sell it on. That way there's also some ability for those outside the US to get their hands on it. (I know, it's the shipping that is the issue. But still, a co-op might be a good idea)

I have no doubt there is enough market for it, practically everyone looks for antron.

I was going to purchase a full roll for here in the UK, but the shipping would just make the purchase for me unpractical.....

Cheers,
Daniel

I was going to purchase a full roll for here in the UK, but the shipping would just make the purchase for me unpractical.....

Cheers,
Daniel

Would it possible to approach the textile industry in the UK with samples of Antron to see if they would consider manufacturing it there.

Billy D.

My experience with approaching the textile industry is that you would need to purchase a very large quantity before they would do the run.  400 - 1000 yards.  At least that is what I have found in the US.  Still the price per yard for regular fleece only drops a few $ per yard and since they ship the fabric in such large rolls the shipping is outrageous. If you go freight it is still all  a lot so it doesn't bring the price down much from retail.  Also, since antron is a product from Hampshire the other companies would not be able to legally make the same kind of fabric.  If several companies would go together in one country and be willing to purchase, lets say 1000 yds from Hampshire then the shipment could go by boat and the cost per yard would be much lower.  Then they could split the cost like Shawn suggested Mark and I do.  Larry said he's tried to get a couple of European companies to do that, but no takers.

Here in the states unfortunately there are only a handful of weavers anymore, so all the US companies are using them to manufacture.  That seems to be the hold up on several types of US made fleece.   

I think it's a very good idea.  If only I had the capital and the contacts. LOL

Julie

I used to work for Monsanto Textile and we made yarn for the apparel and carpet industry. I understand how the market works. I'm from a Textile town which used to be thriving with numerous textile mills. The Mills are still standing but empty.....the owners now operating out of China and foreign countries. I agree  that a foreign company could join forces with Hampshire to expand the production of Antron legally. Until foreign consumers makes someone aware that there is a market for it outside the US it will not be known. A independent marketing research company could do a study but not sure if that would be fee sable.
DuPont  Pioneer  made and produced the original Antron then they moved to China........................... Someone had to come up with a formula similar to the old Antron................. Why can't this be done in other countries legally.

Just my opinion! I have plenty of Antron for myself so I'm not worried. I agree Julie the expense of setting up shop in a foreign country so to speak might out weigh the demand.

Billy D.

 Thank You Julie for so much info. I used 13 yards of antron in last year , I dont have manufacture yet , but Now I getting need more.
 Do You know what is a cost of the whole roll of Antron (55 yards?) . Meaby In Europe I will Find someone with I share this order.

 Many people said that old antron (from Muppet show) was better quality than new one. Now I using polar. But is not the same.

   Watch my website www.kony.entro.pl   

Larry said rolls were about 42 yds plus.  A 42 yd roll would cost $441 USD, plus about $390 in shipping. Don't forget import fees also.  I'm not sure what that would cost.

If you purchased a full roll wholesale, plus shipping the overall cost would be slightly less than purchasing a smaller amount at retail.  Larry and I didn't talk about what the cost would be if shipped by boat vs. air, but he said it would be a lower cost, but I believe you would need to purchase an even larger quantity to go by boat.  I calculated 15 yds, plus shipping at retail....I think it would be about $21-22 USD per yard vs. about $19-20 for the full roll.  Hope this helps.

I took a look at your site.  Videos looked funny, I only wish I understood the language.  Awesome looking puppets. 

Julie

The biggest problem I can see is having space to store a full roll! I knew a lady that purchased it that way several years ago. It's a LOT of fabric.