Biggest Company Merger

[BK 0]

I personally think that the news about RBK's new gear is going to revolutionize (destory?) hockey. They have a big future, but need to be careful.. they are treading on thin ice (no pun intended) with the hockey community IMO.

[Hooah4 12]

I'll vote for other. When Bauer consolidated Cooper, FLak, Micron, etc...I believe it was the start of the mega conglomerate. I believe it was then that Maska did the same with Titan, Canadien, etc...early 90's.

[whbd18 0]

Nike has gotten way out of hand.Adding their name to Bauer has lost alot of respect for them aroun here.MY LHS has the NikeBauer XXX Lites and they havent even been touched,but the regulars are selling great.I think that Nike is Monopolizing the sports industry. RBK on the other hand every likes around here,their products are good quality from what I have used and seen.I think Nike is under thin ice,not RBK.

[EBondo 242]

I think that Nike is Monopolizing the sports industry.  RBK on the other hand every likes around here,their products are good quality from what I have used and seen.I think Nike is under thin ice,not RBK.

I agree with that one. RbK around here tends to sell nicely, as does Bauer. But if it has the Swoosh on it, it hasn't been touched. Nike really is monopolizing the sports industry, saying everything they have is better, but what's next for them?

Soon enough, companies like Mission/Itech, who seems to have less people using their equipment than BNH or Easton...will go unnoticed by the hockey industry. Everyone sees Mission as a roller hockey equipment specializer...but they do have nice ice equipment too, and I am a die-hard Mission user, and I feel are being underrated by consumers.

I can't say I've been impressed with Bauer equipment, except for the 5000 helmet. But yet, it seems they have the most exposure.

Go Mission.

[Jim A 4]

so its ok to put just a RBK logo on a Jofa product and it will sell..but if you add a swoosh to the Bauer logo...its not cool...wtf is wrong with people??

[EBondo 242]

Who knows...but it seems as if the RbK protective is never in stock at my LHS...and a lot of people are buying them. Yet, I always see Bauer protective

[Jim A 4]

***see the million posts regarding THC/RBK not being able to ship on time or in smaller qtys*** jimmy should have bout 75!

[Reaper 0]

Rbk/THC is trying to become the Microsoft of the hockey equipment world. It kinda scares me a bit.

[gp3r 0]

Funny, my buddy who works at the LHS tells me they sell much more NikeBauer gear than RBK gear. Don't know why, maybe it's just a a trend here in quebec. Personally, I like both brands, and most of my friends also(I also lik easton a lot).

The one thing that's good is that both Nike Bauer and RBK/CCM force each other to make good equipment.

Anyone heard of that new equipment RBK wants to implant in the NHL? Apparently, it's gonna change the whole look of the game. It is said that the player will be more protected and will have better ease of mouvement. They also say that is gonna change the classic hockey jersey look.

I don't know if that's true, but I like the look of the classic jerseys.

[jjtt99 0]

This is why I'm cheering for Itech. Yes, they merged with Mission, but compared to the other fat cats, they're still pretty small.

Do I put my money where my mouth is? Kind of. My bucket and visor are Itech. I tried their gloves, but switched because they didn't suit me very well....but hey, I'm trying!

[whbd18 0]

so its ok to put just a RBK logo on a Jofa product and it will sell..but if you add a swoosh to the Bauer logo...its not cool...wtf is wrong with people??

No,but they give credit to Jofa by putting "RBK by Jofa" on every product.Its still has jofa on the stuff but has RBK in bigger letters.RBK is new and people want what the NHL uses.Jofa was bound to go sooner or later.

Nike Bauer is different though they are changing the Bauer name to get more exposure to become the lead brand in hockey again like they were for 1 season.People do not like that,they are trying to take over every sport they can.For instance they(Nike) now have their own car tires,they bought BFgoodrich,Pretty soon they will be making Cars and buy out Ford or something.It seems to me they are becoming a Monopoly,which im pretty sure is illegal in the US.

[duch 0]

I agree that in overall quality RBK is much better than Bauer/Nike protective. I also agree that Mission makes some real good quality protective as well as some pretty decent skates. Just bought the L-4's a while back and they are great. Mission is definitely underrated and under exposed in the hockey market. Look at Mission if you want an alternative in skates, they have really impressed me and I've used CCM most of my life.

[hehatemefrisbee 0]

To me it has to be RBk, just for the mere fact that Adidas now owns RBK/CCM. They have more buying power than Nike has ever had.

[DarkStar50 680]

No,but they give credit to Jofa by putting "RBK by Jofa" on every product.Its still has jofa on the stuff but has RBK in bigger letters.RBK is new and people want what the NHL uses.Jofa was bound to go sooner or later.

That "Jofa" word will be gone from all the protective very soon. The brand transition for consumers is over. Jofa will be along side Cooper, Daoust, Koho, Micron, Lange, Rawlings, and all the rest in old hockey brand heaven.

[forsberg91 0]

I voted for Rbk/CCM.

[EBondo 242]

This is why I'm cheering for Itech. Yes, they merged with Mission, but compared to the other fat cats, they're still pretty small.

Do I put my money where my mouth is? Kind of. My bucket and visor are Itech. I tried their gloves, but switched because they didn't suit me very well....but hey, I'm trying!

Same here. Gloves, skates, sticks, all Mission. Soon to be helmet too

[phillipsa 0]

Stick wise i would definately say RBK/CCM, but when it comes to skates NBH is way better.

[Chadd 916]

***see the million posts regarding THC/RBK not being able to ship on time or in smaller qtys*** jimmy should have bout 75!

Having to supply the various leagues makes it hard to meet the retail demand.

[sn1per 0]

i dunno, in my store, the RBK protective stuff sells a bit better. I figure that they haven't really changed the jofa stuff. They've still kept to the same designs with a few modifications, especially the elbows and the shins and I think people still trust in the designs because of the brand equity that remains with jofa. Whereas the nike stuff, they just came out with completely new protective it seems. The RBK sticks just aren't selling in my store, especially OPS. The 5k shaft is moving ok, but I think the reason why the other sticks don't sells is due to the curve we have which was a completely stupid move on behalf of the buyer for our company.

[kovalchuk71 212]

Thats why I like TPS....Great Company and products, and such a "simple" company

[Jim A 4]

you have no idea what a monopoly is...then K2 would be the biggest sports monopoly on the planet with everything from multiple ski/snowboard brands (k2, elan, ride) outdoor stuff, bikes, fishing gear, rawlings etc...

its Nike Bauer...that Bauer will be there forever..RBK should stand for "Rebranded" Nike got rid of names such as Micron Daoust, even Cooper..but hey..it was a lesson learned even by Mission early on..remember Bilt Rite, US Hockey Research ,etc..all in all Mission...better to have one common name across the spectrum..Bauer had separate lines for what 10 years..RBK comes in and rebrands immediately and you guys are killing NBH....seriously...

[jimmy 194]

***see the million posts regarding THC/RBK not being able to ship on time or in smaller qtys*** jimmy should have bout 75!

THC had some major problems with shipping earlier last year, consolodating warehouses , etc. But, for the most part that seems to be corrected now. I associate it with growing pains. We'll see now in their second year if things get better. Lately, my orders have been fairly quick, and I've been pleased. My fingers are crossed if my bookings arrive 1 April! At least this year, free shipping is a plus, if it's late, I don't have to pay for shipping 1 item at a time. That killed me last year.

[nyntwun 2]

For instance they(Nike) now have their own car tires,they bought BFgoodrich,Pretty soon they will be making Cars and buy out Ford or something.It seems to me they are becoming a Monopoly,which im pretty sure is illegal in the US.

Nike never bought BF Goodrich, they only worked with them on a new "concept tire" for the Hummer H3T.

http://www.bfgoodrichtires.com/bfgapp/news...e/01052004A.jsp