Why is epon not promoted more in the US

[rjklein4470]

I have been playing the Epon 302's and I just bought a set of AF tours. This way I can mix and match as I like. I also have two the epon AF 102 drivers one shafted with the TP7HD and the other with a Miyazaki 59X tour. I love the feel of the irons and the drivers are just so solid. Why is Epon so hard to get in the states, and why is it not promoted like Miura or some of the other JDM irons. Does Epon make irons for other US OEM's, and is there some sort of Non compete??

[gocchin]

Epon has always kept a low profile and yes, Epon/Endo makes all or some models for Bridgestone, Tourstage, Yamaha, Fourteen, ONOFF, PRGR, Titleist, Callaway, Honma, even Mizuno and Nike in the past as well as a slew of other JDM brands.

Another reason is price. Epon is not cheap and they prefer to keep themselves as a high end premium brand/boutique type brand. It is said that Endo forgeds 60-70% of the world's top irons and I believe it.

[impactor]

Am i correct in saying that Endo/Epon only manufactures the high end clubs for Japanese brands? And some of the Fourteen clubs in the USA is forged by Endo, right? Any other brands?

[18th Legion]

Am i correct in saying that Endo/Epon only manufactures the high end clubs for Japanese brands? And some of the Fourteen clubs in the USA is forged by Endo, right? Any other brands?

Only the TC 1000 and TC 910 are made by Endo Japan. All other Fourteen products are made in China and are non-Endo.

[gocchin]

Am i correct in saying that Endo/Epon only manufactures the high end clubs for Japanese brands? And some of the Fourteen clubs in the USA is forged by Endo, right? Any other brands?

I listed the brands in my post above yours... (^_^)

[Stefsan]

Epon has always kept a low profile and yes, Epon/Endo makes all or some models for Bridgestone, Tourstage, Yamaha, Fourteen, ONOFF, PRGR, Titleist, Callaway, Honma, even Mizuno and Nike in the past as well as a slew of other JDM brands.

Another reason is price. Epon is not cheap and they prefer to keep themselves as a high end premium brand/boutique type brand. It is said that Endo forgeds 60-70% of the world's top irons and I believe it.

That's interesting. Can you explain it furthermore? Can I compare it with the car industry? An engine is made by Volkswagen, and then specified further by Audi to their own specificationsHow does it work? The craft a club, with grooves or what? And then Bridgestone will label it?

I haven't got a clue how it works, sorry for the stupid question.

[+TourSpecGolfer]

That's interesting. Can you explain it furthermore? Can I compare it with the car industry? An engine is made by Volkswagen, and then specified further by Audi to their own specificationsHow does it work? The craft a club, with grooves or what? And then Bridgestone will label it?

I haven't got a clue how it works, sorry for the stupid question.

Endo is hands down the most advanced factory with the best materials in the world when it comes to golf clubs.

It is also more expensive for OEM's to produce their clubs there so they tend to only manufacture their highest end models or most tech packed models at Endo because other factories just can't do it.

Nothing is pre made and stamped at Endo, it's designed by the OEM in correlation with Endo, the CAD & tooling is produced and belongs to the OEM.

To put it in car terms some VW engines are made in Canada, U.S, or Mexico while the Porsche engines are made in Germany. They must make them in Germany because they require experts to build them by hand. Similar deal with Endo and golf clubs.

Hope that helps a bit.

[Stefsan]

Endo is hands down the most advanced factory with the best materials in the world when it comes to golf clubs.

It is also more expensive for OEM's to produce their clubs there so they tend to only manufacture their highest end models or most tech packed models at Endo because other factories just can't do it.

Nothing is pre made and stamped at Endo, it's designed by the OEM in correlation with Endo, the CAD & tooling is produced and belongs to the OEM.

To put it in car terms some VW engines are made in Canada, U.S, or Mexico while the Porsche engines are made in Germany. They must make them in Germany because they require experts to build them by hand. Similar deal with Endo and golf clubs.

Hope that helps a bit.

Clear! Thanks.

[18th Legion]

That's interesting. Can you explain it furthermore? Can I compare it with the car industry? An engine is made by Volkswagen, and then specified further by Audi to their own specificationsHow does it work? The craft a club, with grooves or what? And then Bridgestone will label it?

I haven't got a clue how it works, sorry for the stupid question.

I would add . . . I don't think you can compare the Golf industry to the auto industry. As an example, none of the U.S. OEM brands manufacture their own clubs. They all contract different foundries in mostly Japan, China, Thailand, and Taiwan, to manufacture their clubs. Only a handful of foundries such as Endo and Kyoei release their own lines of clubs.

The OEMs design their own clubs (mostly) and have them manufactured to their specifications. It is their design, material, and quality control tha tyou are buying.

Edited December 26, 2010 by 18th Legion

[supo]

I would add . . . I don't think you can compare the Golf industry to the auto industry. As an example, none of the U.S. OEM brands manufacture their own clubs. They all contract different foundries in mostly Japan, China, Thailand, and Taiwan, to manufacture their clubs. Only a handful of foundries such as Endo and Kyoei release their own lines of clubs.

The OEMs design their own clubs (mostly) and have them manufactured to their specifications. It is their design, material, and quality control tha tyou are buying.

great photo, great ................,

[Shambles]

I'm inclined to suspect that the smaller size and smaller market might have been chosen as a more stable long term plan for the company. Of course, I don't know this as a fact. I just consider it an option for any business. Size brings more income but it also brings a larger fixed expense and can, under many conditions, represent a less stable platform.

Shambles

[+TourSpecGolfer]

There is some truth to that shambles but Endo also manufactures mass produced products for companies like Callaway, Cobra, Titleist etc..

[Stefsan]

indeed, still a little bit distracted by the picture

[seesawgolfer]

I wish Epon was more readily available. It makes it hard for us customers to get our hands on especially since it is custom specs.