Always Something

[Bob Evans]

“There is always something…”​ That became a mantra justifying the challenges we were forced to overcome as we built Force Fin from concept to a global brand with millions of customers. Thank you, Force Finners​ I would have given up long ago, but Susanne would always find a way to maneuver through the something du jour. She would give me that look, even scold me when I would publicly post in social media, “This is the end!” People call me a solutioneer, but when it comes to organizational challenges… Susanne always has the solution.​

Imagine my reaction when, on the cusp of 40 years in business, she said to me, “We can’t maneuver Force Fin through these muddy waters.”​ There are 150 pair, now 80 pairs, of Force Fins on the shelf. Once they are gone, there will be no more. A mix of Force Fins for Swimming, Diving, Fishing, SCUBA and Surfing are in Stock.​ If any of you have been waiting to upgrade or replace your old pair, now is the time.​ If any of your friends have been waiting to join you in wearing the best fins, let them know, now is the time.​ It is your last chance to buy a new pair of Force Fins.​ Time Magazine - Best Inventions DEMA - Industry Award for Inaugural Split Fins made using Cross-Industry Internationally Awarded Non-Mold Manufacturing Process Thank you, all.​ We will gather up and more of our Force Fin Community and recap the more than 2,000 reviews in future emails and at ForceFin.com. Please continue to share your Force Fin adventures here on Scubaboard.​ Force Fins are made of an exclusive version of polyurethane that, besides being resistant to ultraviolet radiation, abrasion and chemicals, is heat-treated for 16 hours at temperatures that would melt other fins. Force Fins won’t wilt when exposed to tropical heat, nor will they harden when ice diving. This special heat-treating process allows the molecules to cross-link into long chains, which gives the material its remarkable resiliency and “snap” or elasticity. To maintain our reasonable retail price for the quality product we offer, we had to consolidate to sell only direct and let the 600 stores and 17 international distributors that had built our company fall off by attrition. Our margins have been squeezed for decades, but this latest price adjustment is even too much for agile us to absorb. To support the growth necessary to continue we will have to raise prices to a level that we believe will significantly slow the inventory turn. Although many of you are willing to pay a high price for the best, we do not have the resources to carry the inventory. Again, we thank you all.​ As we reflect and prepare to move forward, we must say, we did this all to know and share with you. And there is plenty of opportunity to continue the relationship as our efforts with our other businesses continue. With all our love,​ Bob Evans and Susanne Chess

 

[sibermike7]

​ ​ “There is always something…”​ That became a mantra justifying the challenges we were forced to overcome as we built Force Fin from concept to a global brand with millions of customers. Thank you, Force Finners​ ​ I would have given up long ago, but Susanne would always find a way to maneuver through the something du jour. She would give me that look, even scold me when I would publicly post in social media, “This is the end!” People call me a solutioneer, but when it comes to organizational challenges… Susanne always has the solution.​ ​

​ ​ Imagine my reaction when, on the cusp of 40 years in business, she said to me, “We can’t maneuver Force Fin through these muddy waters.”​ ​ There are 150 pair, now 80 pairs, of Force Fins on the shelf. Once they are gone, there will be no more. A mix of Force Fins for Swimming, Diving, Fishing, SCUBA and Surfing are in Stock.​ If any of you have been waiting to upgrade or replace your old pair, now is the time.​ If any of your friends have been waiting to join you in wearing the best fins, let them know, now is the time.​ It is your last chance to buy a new pair of Force Fins.​ View attachment 868751 Time Magazine - Best Inventions View attachment 868752 DEMA - Industry Award for Inaugural Split Fins made using Cross-Industry Internationally Awarded Non-Mold Manufacturing Process View attachment 868756 View attachment 868759 Thank you, all.​ We will gather up and more of our Force Fin Community and recap the more than 2,000 reviews in future emails and at ForceFin.com. Please continue to share your Force Fin adventures here on Scubaboard.​ Force Fins are made of an exclusive version of polyurethane that, besides being resistant to ultraviolet radiation, abrasion and chemicals, is heat-treated for 16 hours at temperatures that would melt other fins. Force Fins won’t wilt when exposed to tropical heat, nor will they harden when ice diving. This special heat-treating process allows the molecules to cross-link into long chains, which gives the material its remarkable resiliency and “snap” or elasticity. To maintain our reasonable retail price for the quality product we offer, we had to consolidate to sell only direct and let the 600 stores and 17 international distributors that had built our company fall off by attrition. Our margins have been squeezed for decades, but this latest price adjustment is even too much for agile us to absorb. To support the growth necessary to continue we will have to raise prices to a level that we believe will significantly slow the inventory turn. Although many of you are willing to pay a high price for the best, we do not have the resources to carry the inventory. Again, we thank you all.​ As we reflect and prepare to move forward, we must say, we did this all to know and share with you. And there is plenty of opportunity to continue the relationship as our efforts with our other businesses continue. With all our love,​ Bob Evans and Susanne Chess View attachment 868760

It saddens my heart to read this Bob, but it was inevitable. Overseas pandering by too many in office has forced businesses that truly want to be American made out of business. I think that I have close to 15 pairs of ForceFins. I have been buying them up for years knowing that the day would come when they could no longer be produced at anything close to a reasonable price. Not selling. I have too many in my family that dive. With 9 grandchildren and counting, we are going to need all the pairs that we can get!

Hopefully, I will be able to swing by Santa Barbara in the near future.
Love you Bob!
Michael

 

[The Chairman]

Ah, Bob. Say it ain't so. You deserve a good retirement, though. Have fun and post often, my friend.

 

[Bob Evans]

Ah, Bob. Say it ain't so. You deserve a good retirement, though. Have fun and post often, my friend.

Well, retirement is not in our future. At 74, we are on two 30-year projects, and more are rolling in. We will continue to share with our friends on Scubaboard. Pete, you will be thrilled.

 

[Bob Evans]

It saddens my heart to read this Bob, but it was inevitable. Overseas pandering by too many in office has forced businesses that truly want to be American made out of business. I think that I have close to 15 pairs of ForceFins. I have been buying them up for years knowing that the day would come when they could no longer be produced at anything close to a reasonable price. Not selling. I have too many in my family that dive. With 9 grandchildren and counting, we are going to need all the pairs that we can get!

Hopefully, I will be able to swing by Santa Barbara in the near future.
Love you Bob!
Michael

It's in GOD hands now.

 

[happy-diver]

Let's hope he's good with them!