Activity - DIY Packraft

Uncle Fred replied 2 years, 5 months ago

Hey Matt, do you feel you’ll have enough TPU fabric at some point this year where we could order it by the yard? This stuff is great for all kinds of little projects. I’m thinking of using TPU to create the frame for an inflatable sail.
- Matt (Admin) replied 2 years, 5 months ago
  
  It’s possible, but please don’t rely on it. Selling bulk fabric creates inventory problems because I need four different fabrics to make each packraft kit and when I sell bulk fabric as well then it becomes impossible to keep the right amount of each fabric in stock for the kits because bulk purchases are so unpredictable. If it only took a month or so for me to receive a new fabric order then it wouldn’t be such a big deal, but unfortunately it takes over six months, so if I don’t keep tight control over the inventory then there are long periods when I can’t sell any packraft kits, which is my first priority. I might occasionally offer some of the less popular fabrics for sale in limited quantities to re-balance my inventory though.
  - Uncle Fred replied 2 years, 5 months ago
    
    I understand. Maybe you could do something akin to what ripstopbytheroll does. They make/order a set amount of square yardage for a fabric type. Once it’s out, it’s done for the season until they can order more. Their site even shows how much fabric they have left to order.
    
    This way, it wouldn’t interfere with the fabric needs for your packrafts.
    
    Price it accordingly to make that worth your while. I’m sure you’d get orders. Where else can I get TPU fabric like this as a Canadian?
    - Matt (Admin) replied 2 years, 5 months ago
      
      Somebody should do this, but there are a few reasons why it won’t be me. First, selling bulk fabric is very boring – unroll, measure, cut, pack, ship, repeat. There’s no price that would make that a fulfilling job (for me). Second is the opportunity cost – any time I spend selling bulk fabric is time I’m not spending working on packraft stuff, and I already have more ideas than time. Third is the money problem – I don’t have cash to invest in extra fabric. Fourth is the storage problem – I don’t have space to store extra fabric.
      
      There’s definitely a business opportunity here, but anyone who dives in will risk competing with established companies that aren’t currently offering the same products but easily could. If you’re not adding value to a product (by turning it into a packraft kit, for example), then it’s hard to compete with a larger company that can afford to buy big quantities at lower prices.