Hegemony in Paintball - Is it possible?

[PBX Ronin 23]

With all the big boys lining up their ducks and a big rumor going around that supports the notion that it's not over yet, is it possible to have a company in paintball that is head-and-shoulders above everyone else in terms of market share?

Who will that company be? K2? NPS? Maybe even WDP perhaps?

Give us your thoughts on this and is this something that you believe is good (or bad) for the sport.

[Muzikman]

Good question. I am sure it will not be WDP. But it's going to be a battle between K2 and NPS. I am not sure which one I would like to see come out on top.

As for it being good or bad for the sport. For the growth of the sport it will be good. For the longevity of the sport it could be bad. You never want one company holding all your eggs. Even if there are other companies out there, the small ones will usually not be able to survive. The day of the garage gun maker is gone.

[shartley]

[Muzikman]

The only problem with that is a lot of these markers are coming off the line in the best function possible and looking really good. It's kinda like trying to make your ferrari better. Sure, you can take a Civic and toss a bunch of parts on it and make it better, but the guns coming off the line these days are not civics, they are your high performance elite cars. Not much can be done with them. And as people do come out with something to make it better, the mfg will turn around and start making that a stock part.

That besing said, as long as there are spyders and Tippmann's aftermarket products will survive

[BigEvil]

NPS is lacking big time in several areas... If someone was able to raise some capital, and get their act together.. anything is possible.

[Lurker27]

From a technological standpoint, We've been stagnant for 2-3 years. A 2k2 Intimidator with a WAS board is all you need, and while there are guns that have less kick, weight, or gas consumption, it's miniscule enough to still come down to preference.

Until someone comes up with a viable alternative to the traditional hopper, I think we'll remain stagnated.

So, really, the amalgamation of corporations doesn't quash innovation...If anything, it'll lower prices...

[Muzikman]

NPS is lacking big time in several areas... If someone was able to raise some capital, and get their act together.. anything is possible.

Where do you see NPS lacking? They have guns, masks and paint. They might not be the mfg for each of those, but they end up with the sole distribution of them.

Now, K2 has the same, plus their parents have more money. But again, that is why I am not sure who will come out on top. You have to look at how NPS got started, if anything Gino is a great business man.

BTW: I am not a supporter of NPS. They still owe my team prizes from IAO last year.

[Muzikman]

Until someone comes up with a viable alternative to the traditional hopper, I think we'll remain stagnated.

Qloader isn't different enough for you?

[sabrefanpc]

as long as they get to the price wars soon, i'll be happy. Who comes out on top is a looong way off. im sure they will both fight to the death, which means it could take years, or turn into gm vs ford auto style oligopoly

[Kevmaster]

I think that dominate NPS and K2 can exist in paintball and thats certainly where its going. K2 is definitely trying to take over the casual 'wal-mart' player. BE has been making a fortune on them for years. BE/K2 coulnd't care less about the tourny player who posts on AO. They have nothing to gain from them.

NPS however does. Making mostly nice stuff and selling paint, htey rely on fields and the high end ballers.

The two companies really fill a different niche. While there is some overlap, I don't think the two are in any real competition other than for name recognition and overall revenue. But BE/K2 wins over national in revenue every year. Not even a race really. BE clobbers them.

[PBX Ronin 23]

The only problem with that is a lot of these markers are coming off the line in the best function possible and looking really good. It's kinda like trying to make your ferrari better. Sure, you can take a Civic and toss a bunch of parts on it and make it better, but the guns coming off the line these days are not civics, they are your high performance elite cars. Not much can be done with them. And as people do come out with something to make it better, the mfg will turn around and start making that a stock part.

You're absolutely on point. Manufacturers are really beginning to tighten the screw on the after-market guys by restricting them legally (DYE) or by making sure that there is no need for anything else except for the OEM parts (WGP-Karni, WDP-Current Angels, AKA-Vikings, etc.).

The latter is okay by me but restricting the after-market guys like DYE has is just silly.

[PBX Ronin 23]

as long as they get to the price wars soon, i'll be happy. Who comes out on top is a looong way off. im sure they will both fight to the death, which means it could take years, or turn into gm vs ford auto style oligopoly

Actually, we have and still are in a price war. Just look how prices on paint have dropped over the last three years. Also look at the price drops on the low-end of the market.

But indeed, I can see what you're saying about an oligopoly.....for sure.

[PBX Ronin 23]

K2 is definitely trying to take over the casual 'wal-mart' player. BE has been making a fortune on them for years. BE/K2 coulnd't care less about the tourny player who posts on AO. They have nothing to gain from them.

NPS however does. Making mostly nice stuff and selling paint, htey rely on fields and the high end ballers.

The two companies really fill a different niche. While there is some overlap, I don't think the two are in any real competition other than for name recognition and overall revenue.

Well NPS owns the "Traditional Paintball Distribution Model" by being a dominant supplier to the stores, fields, internet and trade shows.

K2 dominates in the "Non-traditional Paintball Distribution Model" by taking up more shelf space in the WalMart, Dick's, et al of mass retailing chains.

With K2 picking up WGP, it gives them more credibility on the mid to high end of the market. If the speculations are true that they may have picked up Planet, then it follows a certain definitive pattern of encroahing onto the "Traditional Model". If they would pick-up PMI, then they have the potential to become that monolith in the industry.

NPS has and will always be a big irresistable force in the industry. But with the introduction of new technologies such as the Evolt (airless PB marker), they have the potential to drastically eat into K2's niche.

That being said, I believe that in as much as financial muscle comes into play, the foreseeable future is more about who has the larger IP portfolio. Based on actions taken by NPS that's available for public consumption (i.e. grabbing techno-geniuses like Manike and coming up with the Evolt), it looks like they may have the lead on this race.

But a lot is still left to be seen.

[Kevmaster]

Well NPS owns the "Traditional Paintball Distribution Model" by being a dominant supplier to the stores, fields, internet and trade shows.

K2 dominates in the "Non-traditional Paintball Distribution Model" by taking up more shelf space in the WalMart, Dick's, et al of mass retailing chains.

With K2 picking up WGP, it gives them more credibility on the mid to high end of the market. If the speculations are true that they may have picked up Planet, then it follows a certain definitive pattern of encroahing onto the "Traditional Model". If they would pick-up PMI, then they have the potential to become that monolith in the industry.

NPS has and will always be a big irresistable force in the industry. But with the introduction of new technologies such as the Evolt (airless PB marker), they have the potential to drastically eat into K2's niche.

That being said, I believe that in as much as financial muscle comes into play, the foreseeable future is more about who has the larger IP portfolio. Based on actions taken by NPS that's available for public consumption (i.e. grabbing techno-geniuses like Manike and coming up with the Evolt), it looks like they may have the lead on this race.

But a lot is still left to be seen.

you're right. if K2 goes after PMI/RP they would be almost unstoppable. They could probably overpower NPS and while that would take some time, it would mean a big drop in prices in the process.

I think K2 has a lot more potential to be the hegemonic power than NPS does. NPS doesn't have many places to expand. K2 can do quite a lot. And, imho, at present they are already ahead

[Toxic Dave]

NPS is maybe 5% of of the size of K2 in the big picture of things, and paintball really isn't a big part of K2's portfolio. I don't know how much K2 cares about the traditional paintball market, but I'm sure it isn't too big a deal for them when they are shipping a thousand trilogy's to Sports Authority every week, not to mention the ungodly amount of BE product.