Treadlitegear wird nach und nach abgewickelt.
Spoiler anzeigen
An announcement on the future of Tread Lite Gear
Greetings Ultralighters!
On 5th April, the assets and IP of Tread Lite Gear will transfer to Kosen Studio Ltd. Kosen will be a laser engraving business but more on that another time.
Tread Lite Gear will continue in a reduced form as a Legacy section on the new site while I gradually transition away from ultralight gear. You will get a redirect from old to new once the launch happens
I’ll continue making TLG products while I work through remaining fabric stock, but the overall offer will be slimmed down, focusing on the items that continue to make sense.
Tread Lite operates under the VAT threshold but Kosen will be VAT registered from the outset. I will absorb some of the VAT increase on legacy items where I can but prices will rise.
What happens next
Kosen Studio will take time to build. If the transition goes well, it will accelerate naturally.
There will also need to be a breathing space between closing the Tread Lite site and launching the new Kosen site to allow the order pipe to empty, accounting admin, returns / refunds etc. Mid March at a guess for halting orders then launch on the 5th April in the new home with applicable VAT included. May be subject to change but that’s my best guess where I am on the roadmap today.
You can stop reading there if you wish as that’s the what and when but if you interested in the why……..
Putting aside all the trade friction in the world, fabric availability in colours I want at workable prices has become more difficult, and I feel I’ve reached the practical limits of what I can create both in terms of the economics, time and the constraints of the materials themselves.
My current workflow leaves me spending most of my time producing rather than designing.
Designing, prototyping, experimenting, creating new things is where I find the real joy. The laser sees 90% of the work in the up front design space with a final print run, for want of a better description. (It’s a lot more complex in reality)
It will mean I can walk out the door and work anywhere some days. It can be very isolating currently and the chance for a more social existence and more time in nature is something I need.
I’m minded of Bruce Willis in Armageddon when he arrives at NASA and says you must have people sitting around thinking sh*t up. That’s my brain every day and now I hope to pour more of it out into the world
It will also offer more opportunities to do custom creations and worth with other brands.
Finally, and most importantly
Tread Lite Gear has been a huge part of my life, and I’m incredibly grateful for the support this community has given me over the years. Success has many parents as they say so thank you for enabling me to be my own boss and do something I love for so long.
My overwhelming experience has been positive. Engaging with people all over the world has been deeply rewarding, and it’s remarkable how similar we all are in our connection to the outdoors and nature.
I wish you all happy trails in the places you love. It gives me great pleasure and warmth that a little bit of me travels with you on your journey.
Sincerely
Paul
