(https://youraccount.39.ekm.net/ekmps/shops/89204c/resources/design/PriceIncrease.jpg)
There will be a price increase coming on February 1st, affecting most of our 10mm metal historical ranges, plus a smaller increase on paints, bases and flags. As you all know we don't like doing this at the best of times, but sadly it's unavoidable at the moment. I'm sure some of you have seen other companies having to do similar recently and unfortunately we're no different.
Since the start of the pandemic, material costs have risen sharply with metal now 78% more expensive and MDF 48% higher. This has been largely down to limited production levels across the globe along with increased demand, forcing prices up everywhere. We've also got an increase to the UK minimum wage coming on April 1st, along with National Insurance, adding another 9% to the annual wage bill.
Combined, these increases are hitting us for around £35,000 extra per year and as a result we've actually been running at a loss for the past few months. We're hoping that the metal and MDF prices will peak soon and start to reduce slightly, but with no firm indication of when that will be, we've had to make the decision to adjust our pricing.
Prices on standard infantry, cavalry and artillery packs will go from £5.50 to £6.00, taking us to a round 20p per infantry figure and 40p per cavalry. There will be no change to our vehicle pricing or the WWII+ artillery packs. Pricing on custom orders will remain at current rates as well.
Vallejo paint prices have gone up similarly so we'll need to take these from £2.35 to £2.50 per pot, and MDF bases will go from £1.25 per pack to £1.30. Our flagsheet prices haven't changed in about 10 years so those will go from £2.50 to £2.95 per sheet.
To summarise:
Regular 30 foot / 15 cav / 3 gun + crew packs = £5.50 --> £6.00
10-man infantry packs = ££1.85 --> £2.00
Army packs = £34.00 --> £36.00
Vallejo paints = £2.35 --> £2.50
MDF bases = £1.25 --> £1.30
Flagsheets = £2.50 --> £2.95
From a quick look around these changes will keep us competitive among the other 10mm manufacturers so I hope that folks still feel that they're getting value for money. We've got a lot of plans for this year and beyond, with more new Pendraken ranges and more requests ticked off.
There's about 3 weeks until the increase, so make sure to get your orders in before Feb 1st to take advantage of the current prices.
As always, let me know if there's any queries.
Well, you've got to eat, Leon!
Compared with the rumoured rises in energy prices these are modest increases indeed.
I'll still be checking my paints and "to buy" list. :)
Thanks for the warning. A small increase is definitely preferable to your ranges disappearing before I "finish" my projects. The £35k increase certainly brings home the perspective from "the other side". And we know you don't swish from mansion to mega-factory in a chauffeured Bentley. (yet)
I shall start poring over spreadsheets to see where I need a few more for the lead pile. Despite the late date, my Picts now tell me they want chariots so that's a few AGA7s as proxies I guess. But if you are running at an operational loss, will we not just make your losses worse? :D
Can we pre-order the new stuff at old prices? :d :d
Completely understandable Leon and good to get the view from your side of the table as it were. £35k increase per year is a lot, so the modest increases are perfectly acceptable IMHO.
Sad, but understandable.
On the bright side, it makes calculating costs easier, I an do my 6 time stable better than my 1.85 times table.
Also, Army Packs are looking to be better value.
Still competitive.
Fully understandable Leon, if you have been running at a loss I am surprised you have not put them up before this.
As DecemDave says, we still want you around so we can finish projects. With my current lead mountain that's should be around 2033, If I don't buy any more ;D ......and some flipping company is releasing Arab -Israeli war stuff in 10mm and a set of rules to go with it, so that's unlikely. ;)
We have had many discussions on this forum about the need for those engaged in supplying little men making enough to earn a reasonable living. As I fully agree with this there will be no complaints from me.
Any likelihood of Peninsular British coming on general availability before the price increase? That's my next planned purchase. Having said that I can't begrudge you having to increase your prices to remain in business, so no problem if not. Good luck for the New Year.
Quote from: KeithS on 08 January 2022, 03:44:04 PMAny likelihood of Peninsular British coming on general availability before the price increase?
We wouldn't be able to release those properly before the increase unfortunately, we're still working on the Peninsular project and there's a few of the backers who've not had their British sent out yet (they asked for everything to be shipped in one package when it was ready). Once everyone has had their pledges we'll be getting all of the Peninsular ranges straight onto the site.
If you're only after a few bits though, drop me an email and we'll see if we can get you sorted out.
Completely understandable.
Good luck all.
As others have said completely understandable and we want the business to continue to grow
Inevitable given the metal price rises alone. I would rather pay more for quality like yours and make sure all your staff (and you) can make a living.
Not an issue, given the quality of your products!! ;)
not a problem for me chaps. You've got to make a profit and the quality of your stuff is unparalleled
Quotenot a problem for me chaps. You've got to make a profit and the quality of your stuff is unparalleled
Absolutley, got to make a profit.
Note: GW recently reported 6 months turnover at £191.5m, of which profit before tax is £88.2m.
So, 46% of turnover is pure profit!
EBDITA (https://www.investopedia.com/terms/e/ebitda.asp) is rarely "pure profit" though!
Still, GW look to be doing very well.
Geez, I think we need to move into overpriced 28/32/35/40mm figures...
No move into overpriced 10mm Figures. Keep current pack price the same and include 6 foot or three mounted.
GW have slowly been increasing the pack price with what look like inflation based increases, but then reducing the model count as well.
They get away with it by selling to the uninitiated and telling them " You have to use GW Figures and paints"
I'll bet GW don't have to wait until March to get their roof fixed either !!!!
QuoteGeez, I think we need to move into overpriced 28/32/35/40mm figures...
Please don't :o
But, do price your figures so that you make a profit. I'd hate to see Pendraken disappear.
QuoteGeez, I think we need to move into overpriced 28/32/35/40mm figures...
I may be wrong but I really doubt any of the "man in garage" or even the SMEs in the 28 (and "heroic") market space get remotely near the GW brand results. Otherwise the SMEs wouldn't bother with these occasional forays into 10mm or even 13.5mm.
Seems to me that you have a good market position, brand name and fan-boy base. Looking back 5 years although it was seeing Kallistra figures in action that got me interested in smaller scales, I have spent more with Pendraken (*) than I have with any one of your competitors even though I have bought some things from most of them to satiate my desire for pose variety.
So as others said - stick to 10mm but make it profitable!
(*) and another order is on a spreadsheet awaiting possible additions from this "10 days" teaser .
Quote from: Raider4 on 14 January 2022, 01:00:11 PMPlease don't :o
But, do price your figures so that you make a profit. I'd hate to see Pendraken disappear.
This!
price rises are inevitable and shouldnt be looked at by manufacturers as shameful as they are a necessity for survival.
Best news is you get more loyalty points!