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Speedo's In The Swim

 

As president of Hirsch Weis, a division of Warnaco and the U.S. distributor of Speedo, I have to call to your attention a gross exaggeration or misunderstanding of facts found in "Exceptions to the Rule" (December 1982). You refer to Finals Racing Swimsuits Ltd. as a company that has captured 65% of the competitive swimsuit market in just six short years. You may be interested in the Sports Style (Fairchild Publication) trade press article from last spring that assesses manufacturers of competitive swimwear (Speedo sales $27.5 million; Finals sales $3 million).

Speedo racing and competitive swimwear is known the world over as the leading and most dominant brand in competitive swimwear. We pioneered the business and continue to be the innovative leader of same, and, we might add, we are copied by many.

While Speedo brand does cost more than the brand you refer to, I must tell you that your article does trigger a statement of one of my most learned professors in business school: "The aftertaste of quality lasts longer than the impulsive urge of price."

EDITOR-NOTE:

Sources at Sports Style explain that their figures were arrived at through estimates, statements from corporate officers, and "a little voodoo." Since Finals Racing Swimsuits Ltd. is privatety owned, INC., as well as Sports Style, must rely on company spokespeople for sales figures.