As SHOT Show’s doors officially opened on Tuesday, the surprisingly busy “show-inside-a show” the Supplier’s Showcase was winding down. Held Monday and Tuesday, the Showcase does exactly what its name implies: it is a gathering of more than five hundred companies who supply a variety of the parts and pieces used by manufacturers to build their products.
I knew there were suppliers, but I ever imagined just how much the industry relies on these smaller, but highly specialized, companies. They’re mid-size or smaller precision makers of virtually everything from the “tools” that hold precision milling figures to hand debuting tools and laser engravers to put microscopically correct texturing onto everything from pistol parts to translucent panels.
They’re not the top-of-mind manufacturers when you think rifles, pistols, or shotguns, but their pins, springs and fasteners literally hold the industry together.
Some, like Fastening Systems of Pomona, California, make the injection molded fastening systems that hold the various straps and binders on technical gear together. Others, like ElastiTag make exactly what their name implies: elastic tags that can be used on everything from storage labeling to marketing messages.
While the Suppliers Showcase might not be on the “must-see” list for many attendees, it’s become a vital element in the overall business strategies of the 530-plus companies who were on site. One happy exhibitor told me this single two-day event had become “the single-biggest show we’ll attend all year.” That makes perfect sense. Virtually any company that could use all the varied services are already on site. Their taking a bit of time out of their own show schedules allows them to visit valued suppliers, or identify potential ones. Plus they get a few minutes away from their own booths. Both can help reinvigorate.
And the Supplier Showcase is growing. “I’ve been here since the first one,” one smiling supplier told me, “I’ve never seen anything grow so quickly. There are two brand-new rows around the outside the the aisles, and they’re full. Wouldn’t be surprised to see them have to open up another exhibit area next year. Word’s gotten out that this is a can’t-miss opportunity.”
Walking the aisles, I realized that someone with a big idea could actually make their dream become a reality-or at least a working prototype using only the companies in the Supplier’s Showcase. From hiring a prototype company to build your working model to engaging the lab to precision test your final products, complete with all the springs, pins and other components necessary whether it be a gun, tool or backpack, all the expertise and manufacturing capabilities were in that hall.
These companies aren’t mass manufacturers. One confided that orders for more than 15,000 pieces of any single component would “scare my boss to death.” But he said, anything under that would make him really happy. On day one of the two-day Showcase, he’d already had queries for a pair of orders that size. “And,” he said, “my boss is really happy.”
Watching the traffic through the area, it looked like many of the exhibitors were feeling the same thing. The idea of the “show within a show” is one that is a hit with everyone involved. It’s also a great way to get a mini-view of the industry.
Looks like things are going fine.
We’ll keep you posted.
—Jim Shepherd