Re: Stag 2 part Soft top

[Mike Wattam <101714.1343@domain.elided>]

As a director of the Stag Owners Club Toollng Fund Ltd from its conception
several years ago up until July this year, I have some good knowledge which
you might find relevant.

The Tooling Fund exists not only to help make Stag parts available again,
but also to invest any surplus funds available in the Stag Owners Club. 
Any Stag Owners Club members contemplating involving the Tooling Fund,
should first ask for an up-to-date set of accounts from both the Club and
the Tooling Fund to see if there is available surplus cash to be used.

The Tooling Fund exists to fund TOOLING, that is it concerns itself with
the cost of producing dies, jigs etc., to enable parts to be made.  It does
not fund the part itself,  but just the tool(s) to make it.  Also it does
not carry out research, arrange manufacture of tools or expedite the
manufacture of parts.  

It works with 'Stag' parts suppliers, who are responsible for investigating
the cost of tools and the parts themselves with the part cost and selling
structure to enable royalties to be given back to the Tooling Fund based on
their investment.  The parts supplier can then approach the Tooling Fund to
see if they will assist.  

Historically the only parts supplier to actually be supported in this way
has always been SOC Spares - you may have had some experiences of buying
from SOC Spares?

The Tooling Fund board members meet occasionally to discuss any proposals
put forward, and their reasons for accepting or rejecting the proposals
might include whether they have surplus funds to invest at that time, and
whether they consider the part worthy of their investment.  I do not think
that they would invest in a 'luxury' item, when there are quite a few
essential parts which must be put on the market again as soon as possible.

Finally, the Tooling Fund has been operating for 6 years, and in that time
has succeeded in supplying tool funding to help bring only 7 or 8 larger
body parts to market.

You should also be aware that the members of the Tooling Fund board include
Stag specialist repairers, like the main club.

I hope this helps you.

Mike Wattam
Triumph Stag Register