Hi! And looking for a partner for a Toronto Porsche related business adventure

werner|machine · 11:02 PM

Hiya, I've been lurking around this site for many years hoarding information for a Porsche ever future 912 project. Never have the time, space, or money all at the same time. BAH!

I've decided to finally make a serious go at my little machine shop in downtown Toronto though, and am looking for a partner.

The goal is to make (and then sell) Porsche parts of various types focusing on earlier air cooled models. Mostly they will be machined parts, but we have alot of other capabilities from moulding to glass work.

The type of partner I need is someone who can be very active, enthusiastic and committed to succeeding and not just an uninvolved investor waiting for his interest cheque. Basically i need someone to "run" and market the company while i focus on "making" stuff. I've learned over the years that I'm quite good at making pretty things, and quite bad at selling them! Ha!

That's about it really. If you are looking for a new level of porsche fun, and are willing to put in a boatload of work (and a bit of cash of course) send me a message.

Otherwise, HI!

Mark Henry · 03-01-2015, 01:39 PM

I would be interested and have ideas but have no money

Plus you are in Toronto and I like my shop in the country

werner|machine · 03-01-2015, 04:23 PM

Haha.

Port Hope is commuting distance :P

The no money part could be an issue though, unless we presell 500 of something

Ugh, preselling brings back bad memories. I highly dont recommend it. This time I want to do things right as a nice well funded and organised business.

Mark Henry · 03-01-2015, 04:48 PM

A pre-sell works when you have no minimum and don't need it to make the initial units. Often it can pay for tooling quickly. Needing to make and sell a minimum of 500 units will be hard unless you have an excellent price point for a really desirable, high demand and unique product. Don't forget the 911 was a relatively low production vehicle.

Zero interest in commuting, I have lots of work here in the country.

werner|machine · 03-01-2015, 04:59 PM

Well the issue with presells ive had before is no matter how well planned out you think it is, it takes twice and long and you run out of money.

The ideas i have in mind are for small regular runs. dozens or so at a time. hundreds would be far too optimistic unless its to stockpile because its costs vastly less to make more and you "know" it will eventually sell over time.

In any case, need to find me a partner for all this and then see what we should make first.

Mark Henry · 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by werner|machine

Well the issue with presells ive had before is no matter how well planned out you think it is, it takes twice and long and you run out of money.
first.

There is a guy over on the 914world board who does group buys for a limited time or limited quantity. He doesn't have to do this, but it gets product out there and it quickly pays off his tooling/set up costs. Once the buy is done it goes to the regular price on his website.
He introduces at least half dozen to a dozen new products each and every year.

Started as a hobby, as he is a full time commercial airline pilot, it has grown into a business with a couple of employees.
914rubber Home Page

werner|machine · 03-02-2015, 06:03 AM

thats quite cool.

werner|machine · 03-04-2015, 01:44 PM

So I'm looking at a rear windscreen in lexan for the 914 as a first poke. Its an easy one for me right now to start with and I'll need one for my self soon. Is there enough interest to sell 6-12 of those? The guy on the 914 rubber site already does one so perhaps its well covered already.

Any thought appreciated!

And if there is interest is there any special features it should have that no ones offering?

Mark Henry · 03-04-2015, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by werner|machine

So I'm looking at a rear windscreen in lexan for the 914 as a first poke. Its an easy one for me right now to start with and I'll need one for my self soon. Is there enough interest to sell 6-12 of those? The guy on the 914 rubber site already does one so perhaps its well covered already.

Any thought appreciated!

And if there is interest is there any special features it should have that no ones offering?

I don't know, for the most part that would be a race only product, I'm sticking with glass on my 914 six conversion. The thin lexan window allows for a lot of noise transfer.

As for 914 products you have a large group of people producing parts already so you would need to find your niche. 914 owners are loyal to member/vendors that have long term, good standing, relationships on the 914world site.
Here's a link to the 914world member vendor forum:
914World.com - The fastest growing online 914 community!

werner|machine · 03-04-2015, 07:55 PM

thanks

yeah, its a bit of a racing only product for sure.

TargaT · 03-05-2015, 09:38 AM

Werner, I would consider one as I am building a race car. Do you have a sense of what the weight savings would be?
Joe

Cook&Dunning · 03-05-2015, 10:53 AM

I have a Shields brand front that I just pulled off my 911 track car to street project. I looked it up on their site for info - it looks like they average half the weight of glass. Also show pricing (including 914 rear) if anyone was interested

werner|machine · 03-05-2015, 12:36 PM

the specific gravity of of the glass used in windows is 2.2-2.5
for lexan its 1.2

so assuming the window thickness remains the same, its roughly half the weight

i plan on using 3/16" (5mm) lexan for this window. i think the stock glass is the same if im not mistaken.

thanks for this interest. makes this look like a promising first part.