SWFA business model?

[Bigdave]

I have several SWFA scopes also.

The owner is a really good guy, and will stand behind his product.

I hate to hear that they had to close the store, and have noticed that their in stock inventory is a shell of what it used to be.

 

[MattB]

I guess the COVID pandemic which has adversely impacted supply chains worldwide couldn’t be to blame?

 

[SDHNTR]

No other scope company has these kind of problems.

 

[MattB]

Perhaps no other scope company uses the same contract manufacturer and parts manufacturers?

 

[slowelk]

Perhaps no other scope company uses the same contract manufacturer and parts manufacturers?

SWFA HD comes from LOW (light optical works) in Japan. LOW makes all of the high-end optics that come from Japan. They are still cranking out products for other brands.

 

[GMB54-120]

And im pretty sure Kenko makes the Classic line of fixed power scopes plus a couple others for SWFA. Kenko in Japan seems to be kicking out Sightrons without a huge issue.

 

[SDHNTR]

Perhaps no other scope company uses the same contract manufacturer and parts manufacturers?

LOW. A pile of other brands use them. With no supply issues. I genuinely think SWFA is simply using our backorders as pre orders.

 

[SDHNTR]

SWFA HD comes from LOW (light optical works) in Japan. LOW makes all of the high-end optics that come from Japan. They are still cranking out products for other brands.

Not quite all. Deon Optical makes March scopes.

 

[MattB]

SWFA HD comes from LOW (light optical works) in Japan. LOW makes all of the high-end optics that come from Japan. They are still cranking out products for other brands.

Does that firm make all the parts they assemble, or do they use parts made by other firms in their assembly? I do not know the answer, but what I do know is the supply chain is much FAR complex than the average guy on the internet thinks it is.

There is another major hunting manufacturer that was delayed in shipping products last year because they couldn't source bubble wrap. It had absolutely nothing to do with manufacturing its products, but the manufacturer couldn't ship its product without it.

 

[MattB]

I may have answered the question myself, which seems to support the notion I raised previously:

Disclaimer about OEM information​

It is difficult to talk about where "optics are made" because they are complex instruments, often with various components coming from different suppliers. For example, raw glass comes from a handful foundries worldwide. Raw glass blanks must be ground into lenses and coatings applied. Then these lens elements must be assembled into optical subsystems (e.g., objective lens assemblies or eye piece lens assemblies). These steps may be performed by a single company or by a series of companies before being sent for assembly into a finished optic. Even when performed by a single company, these steps may occur in different facilities in multiple countries. A similar series of steps are associated with machined parts like main tubes and turret housings, finishes, etchings, small parts, electronics, reticles, etc. This inherent complexity is why I focus on where the final assembly takes place, as this question has a more definitive answer (although even final assembly can be murky).

https://sageratsafaris.com/light-optical-works-japan/

 

[Whiskey_Fish]

And howuch leverage does SWFA really have to apply to LOW based on a percentage of it's total output? Those other brands might be getting cranked out at SWF's detriment.


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[Formidilosus]

Too many other companies out there with great products and a dependable supply chain.

Who?

 

[BjornF16]

And howuch leverage does SWFA really have to apply to LOW based on a percentage of it's total output? Those other brands might be getting cranked out at SWF's detriment.


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Perhaps SWFA has arrangement for LOW to crank out scopes during low activity periods...?

 

[Helislacker]

You’re ignoring a massive difference in cost and weight. The SWFA 3-9 may not be a modern design, but no one is making a modern design that does what it does. The LRHS/LRTS scopes aren’t exactly current anymore either (but again, they still do something most modern scopes do not).

Trijicon Credo 2.5-10 arguably fills this role but is 4oz heavier. What are your thoughts on this idea @Formidilosus

 

[SDHNTR]

Trijicon Credo 2.5-10 arguably fills this role but is 4oz heavier. What are your thoughts on this idea @Formidilosus

Also made by LOW and readily available.

 

[Helislacker]

Also made by LOW and readily available.

I finally found one up here in . I’ll likely buy one and conduct the scope test.

 

[sndmn11]

I guess nobody has tried to order something from Nightforce lately...

 

[MuleyFever]

I guess nobody has tried to order something from Nightforce lately...

I was just looking at Camera Land and they sure have a lot of items out of stock.

 

[BRTreedogs]

Basically from what I've been told the actual SWFA production was small potatoes, they have seen a large surge in popularity based in @Formidilosus recommendations. But since they were previously small potatoes the actual manufacturer doesn't care as much about filling there newer larger orders because they are chasing the money of the other larger more consistent players. Basically they will switch over to swfa when they get around to it.

 

[Formidilosus]

Trijicon Credo 2.5-10 arguably fills this role but is 4oz heavier. What are your thoughts on this idea @Formidilosus

The reticle sucks in comparison to the SWFA MQ, and the small objective does no favors.

Basically from what I've been told the actual SWFA production was small potatoes, they have seen a large surge in popularity based in @Formidilosus recommendations. But since they were previously small potatoes the actual manufacturer doesn't care as much about filling there newer larger orders because they are chasing the money of the other larger more consistent players. Basically they will switch over to swfa when they get around to it.

Winner winner.