United Composites USA Factory Tour HD
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- čas přidán 19. 08. 2024
- United Composites, formerly known as Graphite USA, moved their produCtion to Huntington Beach California. After almost 2 years of effort, the new factory is up and running, producing some of the finest rods produced in the world.
United Composite was purchased by Randy Penny, formerly Seeker's production manager for well over 20 years. Finally UC has an owner/operator with solid experience behind him. While Peter Williams and family owned the firm and created the new factory, he'd had difficulty with production when he or his son were back in Australia. When Peter or his son went back home, production fell way off, few rods built during that time. Peter simply could not run a business from 8000 miles away. Randy has the experience to create wonderful rods, and now he's got technology that he never had before. Dual Helix is BACK and so is UC I'm very happy to say!!!
cool vid, the owner was generous with his information
interesting comments....was shopping for blanks and found this. Thanks
Parabens,grandes blanks para pesca oceanica.
Maravilloso bastones, y gracias por sus comentarios.
They are nice rods. But they are very expensive. Are they that much better any calstar seeker phenix rods.
The entire USA made rod making landscape changed six years ago when Seeker was sold to a fellow who's intent was to dismember Seeker to raise funds to purchase Calstar. Calstar's owner Leon Todd was getting up there in years, had Alzheimers and the firm was in a downward spiral. The sale did not go thru, but Seeker was destroyed, no longer able to make their own rods (they now simply wrap another firms rods) and Calstar did not advance - in fact they became less of a firm with resources squandered during the time they thought they'd be sold. UC had the better designs, always did given their unique method of rodmaking. Seeker, out of the game effectively. Calstar, a shaddow of what they were and now their prices have advanced far above UC. Phenix, can't even mention them without a chuckle - they are chinese made rods sold for a USA built price, laughable, and no value. (If Phenix is in consideration, go Okuma PCH series or Daiwa Proteus series for a good chinese made rod at a fair value). UC owns the upper end of the rod market, better designs, Randy Penny (Seeker's long time production manager) is at the helm along with his entire team from his Seeker days. They are not so expensive when you look at current Calstar pricing, knowing background of Phenix and Seeker...
Watching these vids I realise majority of graphite blanks are similar, until you get to spiral x style which are never shown on video
GUSA/UC created the spiral wrap technique (see my other video on UC history). The specific "patterns" cuts of material, angles...all that stuff was very proprietary and not shared to public or competitors. Even GUSA's helix build, while mentioned promotionally, the specifics of what was done was limited. Workers had non-disclosure type agreements. So, sharing specifics of technique wasn't something desired by manufacturer. Now, 2024, we see other firms try to emulate and reverse engenier what Dick Kantner did for us fishermen back in the '80's in terms of advancing the state of the art.
@@marksmith4452 Thank you for your time for the explanation. I watched the other vid which was great and you have heaps of others i'm interested in. Your info has taken me down a great rabbit hole. Cheers from NZ
Mark, why do you think there is such issues with these WC manufacturers? Firms switching owners, operation managers not up to the job, etc. Is there a market for a new firm to do it right out there? Seems like a gold mine that nobody is taking advantage of. Lots of good minds and talent, no consistent products.
Quinn, not just WC manufacturers, but those do stand out simply because they were so dominant in their areas of expertise. Building rods requires expertise, the right people and skills - these are in short supply. This is also a seasonal business, so resources are stretched thin over the course of a year with ebbs and flows of revenue. There are many reasons for what we saw over the past few years, including:
1. age and health of owners
2. investors moving in different directions
3. business practices of managers/owners
This is not an easy business, rod making not an easy business. Many of these firms have not looked great on paper for many years, but the love of the craft and sport kept key players in the game despite financial woes. Going further, the industry itself can move in directions that are detrimental for it's health. I made a video a couple years ago expressing my concerns, opted not to make the post public since it did come off a bit whining, I mentioned specific examples and companies. Thought it best I keep those negative thoughts to myself since in truth they would have served no positive benefit. Time heals, a free economy reinforces correct decision making long term. But, one thing is certain, unless one has a love for the sport and either deep pockets or minuscule financial needs, it's not easy to STAY in business. I've been around now for 20 years time with CharkBait, I've seen many come and go, competitors as well as suppliers.
@@CharkBaitUSA very interesting. I didn't realize the books were in such shambles but in that case it makes perfect sense. From the sound of it my gold mine comment was way off base, I was thinking there could be an opportunity for one firm to take over the market the 3 main firms had built. Makes it tough to sell the ideas and products when the faith in the firms future seems in doubt. Also makes it tough for me to figure out which rod to buy!! Thanks for the response!
@@quinnhunsinger1603 Really, not a hard one. You might check the more recent video I did, goes over history of this firm, reasons why they have the better product. With no doubt in my mind I can say UC wins this race, they become the dominate WC rod manufacturer. I'm not talking from the standpoint of number of units produced, I'm speaking to what we in the community want to have in our hands when we fish. They have the better product, better design, and with Randy Penny heading things they will take care of production professionally, with a consistent product with the right action for it's intended application.
@@CharkBaitUSA yeah I watched it, and it makes complete sense. The rods are really fairly priced as well from what I saw. Sub $200 blanks for the most part and finished rods in the $300-450 range. I recently purchased an Okuma Makaira rod to pair with a MK20ii but I'd be far happier supporting an American made product. The Makaira rod is a very nice product though from the couple weeks I've been fishing it. Thanks again, I enjoy the videos and your take on products to support.
How about the price for this blanks.
Visit our website and shops. www.charkbait.com
Oke thanks ya
In Florida you are having a lot of blanks breaking. Kevan is not excellent. I know
of six fisherman that called and he is not replacing the blanks for them. If your warranty is no good then don't give one at purchased. Fisherman should know
your blanks and warranty are no damn good. Being your treating customers like this I look forward to seeing you go bust. You people could not carry water to the
Graphite USA folks. Fisherman you have been warned!
Prior shop manager for Peter was a waste of time and money for UC's old owner. Very hard to run a business from 10,000 miles away. Best move was to close things down, and then to sell the firm to Randy Penny. Randy well knows how to build the rods properly, has very much demonstrated that fact since he took the help three years ago. I understand what you said FT, sadly am in agreement. Kevan was not up to the job, Peter put his trust in the wrong guy. When he or his son were here building blanks, things were perfect. When they were back home, production was slow, and far from perfect. It's where it needs to be now.