J4 Jackets Supply Policy Change

E

Eric Stecker

New member
In the next few weeks those who purchase significant volumes of J4 jackets will get a letter detailing our change in policy.

Until now we had been working to reduce the amount of time it takes to set up the machines. This would allow us to carry less inventory and switch through different sizes more quickly.

These efforts have been unsuccessful as we have committed to the .0003 or less quality on every lot and frankly, this can be a real B**** to get right. Some set ups take as long as 6 weeks to get right.

Once we get it right the machine will stay right until we change it to another jacket or crash it. Since this is true we will be changing our procedure to making much larger quantities on each set up.

We will be working with the other bullet makers to establish yearly quantity needs. These quantities will be made once (maybe twice) a year to ensure that these bullet makers do not run out of jackets. It will be helpful in keeping our supply up as well.

Doing this will be extremely costly at the beginning and will take some time to get on top of but it will resolve itself over time by allowing the true amount of jackets and bullets to be sold.

On a related subject, this situation is partially to blame for the miscommunications between myself and Bart Sauter. I want to take this opportunity to share that the situation between Bart and I was as much my fault as it was anybody elses.

Bart and I have resolved any problems between us and I regard him as a friend. As I have always said Bart is one of the best bullet makers in the country and anyone who purchases his bullets should feel confident that his skills and abilities are behind every box.

Regards,
Eric
 
Hi Eric,
How will this policy change effect all the "little guys" that can only afford to purchase a case of jackets two or three times a year? Could we be looking at long periods of unavailability ?
Joel
 
Glad to hear you and Bart are all right now. There are other jacket makers out there But.....
Lets say not for me. I don't make the quanitys that bart makes but at least i know what i'm getting for my $
Keep up the good work. I do have one thing to bring up and i'll pm you about it. I'm sure you will do your best for us small guys. .
 
I can't speak for Eric but, it would seem to me that by taking care of the larger buyers of jackets it would be easier to take care of the smaller users as well. This way you wouldn't have one or two large buyers unexpectedly taking everything in stock. I think this policy change will be good for everyone involved.

On a personal note...Any and all issues between Eric and myself have been resolved. It really wasn't anyones fault just two guys that needed to talk. I think this was the best Super Shoot ever (even though I let it slip away). I not only had a great time but I made a good friend.

I am looking forward to working with Eric and his Team at J-4. Their product's have always been awesome and I appreciate the hard work and and commitment.

Bart Sauter

PS Eric email me at the6ppc@aol.com when you get a chance.
 
Nader said:
Hi Eric,
How will this policy change effect all the "little guys"
Joel
Click to expand...

As Bart relayed this new policy will make things better for everyone including the "little guys". The bottom line is having available supply. Our previous efforts were focused on making just enough until we cycle through the different sizes and get back to them again. This can work just fine if we have predictable and stable schedules. The fly in this particular soup is the unpredictable challenge of getting the jackets into .0003.

We can consistently set up our machines to make cups in about 4 hours start to finish. Getting these cups down to .0003 TIR is the unpredictable part. We have done it in one day. Typically it takes 2-3 days. Occasionally, and far more often than we can handle it will take 6-8 weeks and in some rare situations even longer. By making bigger runs and more importantly by making as many as is needed by everyone once or twice a year we keep the supply up. The long set up times are less of a problem if we run enough jackets to last a long time once the set up is completed.

Anyone with a calculator can see that this will put a burden on us to keep this large volume of jackets in stock however I beleive that in the end it will work out to be better for everyone since we know for sure that none of us can sell anything we don't have in stock.

Regards,
Eric
 
Wish Bart well . He has gone from a little bullet company into a all he can handle bullet making company same as Berger's did back in the 70's, been there bought then.

Berger's has always found a way to take care of the so called little guy bullet maker. When I order 4 case of .825 jackets and a case of .705's I'm still in the little guy buying group. I don't have to wait 6 months maybe a month if that. Besides I live 25 miles from Berger's I just drive down with money of coarse and drive home all within an hour,that's California the Land of Plenty of everything and Proud to fight about it, damn sure.

Stephen Perry
Angeles BR
 
Mr. Stecker

How will this effect the existing orders you already have?
As far as the thin .30 caliber go primarily as it is all I make. The last response I received was for the .925" to be shipping about now and the 1" on up to the 1.150" would follow in ascending length so is there any news on .30 caliber jackets & when we might see them. As a bullet maker I know you understand having nothing to tell customers as they ask, so anything is better than nothing. I will be at a match this weekend and next weekend at the Bud Pryor so I am sure to be asked just as I am asking you. Even if you cannot tell me anything I am compelled to ask.
Also what constitutes a signifigant volume customer in your point of view? Please let me know what you can when you can, thank you & God bless you.
Chad
 
I'm a former customer of J4 Jackets. I no longer make bullets. But, I did run into situations where I thought I ordered far enough in advance to keep a steady supply without braking the bank on stockpiling jackets. I found myself short a few times. Eric, I'm sure is under pressure to provide the jackets without having a warehouse full of extras. Benchrest does not seem to be a growing sport, so I can only suggest that Eric makes 10 or 15% more jackets than were ordered in the last fiscal year, adjusted by month to month order history. If it turns out there is an over-run, they will sell, and production can be adjusted accordingly. 6mm .825's are a small part of J-4's demand, I'm sure.
Eric, find a bean counter with some sense and let HIM know what your expected volume is.............Override him with your common sense.
Under Promise and Over Deliver is the best business plan ever devised!
ba
 
I'm probably the littlest user of this product, but I gotta say, I know of NO other firm that communicates to their customers as this one does. We may not like to hear what that communication is, but Eric and the staff do a tremendous job of supplying a world wide sport with the best product of its type. And they do us all a service with their frank communication. (Your mileage may vary.)

FWIW, as a reformed inventory specialist, I know there is no such thing as average demand. Its like the old saying, with one foot in ice water, and the other in boiling water, on the average, you're comfortable. Demand for the jackets will swing with weather, special events and unanticipated developments. Not being privy to the turn rates eric needs, or is willing to tolerate, I suggest giving some thought to monthly and/or weekly shipping quotas. On those periods when the shipping quota falls below actual demand, shut off the spigot. That will make sure that SOME product will be available for the following period. On those when demand is soft, add the surplus to the quota for succeeding period. Keep doing so until the suplus is consumed. This will smooth out the demand cycle and make everything a bit more predictable. And THAT will keep bullets in the pipeline. There may be periodic shortages that follow, but the trendlines will be easier to spot, the shortages will be briefer, everyone should get to pull the trigger more often on their favorite pills.
 
I apologize for not getting back to this thread sooner. Regarding the 30 cal jackets we are nearly finished with the 1.400 long. As soon as we are we will switch to the .925 long and then go through the length from there (1.000 then 1.080 and so on). I expect that we will saitisfy all the short 30 cal jacket (.925 ~ 1.150) orders by the end of July.

Regarding the new policy we are still sorting out a few minor details before we send out the letters with the actual program. The primary difference in our policy is that we will be asking the larger volume bullets makers (50,000 or more annually) to provide a yearly need. We will make all of these jackets once or maybe twice a year (maximizing our set ups) and store them so that these bullet makers are kept supplied. The details we are sorting out are related to those who buy fewer than 50,000 per year. No need to panic as our making the greater quantities will ensure that the smaller makers stay in jackets as well. The details we are sorting out are related to how they will be distributed. More on that later. No need for questions as I do not have answers right now.

Regards,
Eric
 
In the for what its worth department Bruno Shooters Supply is stocking J-4 jackets in an effort to help the little guy.

Lester Bruno
 
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