I recently bought a company from a bank that was in the business of
manufacturing high end over/under shot guns. I have been struggeling
with coming up with a new name for this company. I am originally from
the Netherlands, and would like to reference the name with my
backgound if possible. I am also still deciding the place of
manufacture. My choices are here in the U.S. or Spain.
I know that Spain has the Skill level I need, But does American made
still count amoung gun owners. The name that I have come up with is
TwinBore Classics. My question is really more of a request of opinion
about this name, since I can't seem to comeup with a better one. My
lawyer does not like it, he things a
$5000.00 shot gun should have a more elegant name. Plus it might be
hard tio get a trade mark. I am doing a lot of research on names, but
please, any suggestions are welcome. I did own a company named Van
Staal. It manufactures high end fishing reels. I came up with this
name, and it became very well known in a short periot of time. I would
like to repeat this with the new shot gun company. the name is very
important and you have to live with it for a long time.

My second question was regarding the place of manufacture. I am
looking at Spain because of cost and getting consistant quality. But
having it made here will give me better control. Does made in America
still count or do most people buy today on price and Quality.

Thanks in advance.

Hello rkln,

This is definitely a great series of questions. I am flattered that
you considered using this program (Answers), to gather an opinion on
the name of your new business. I will address my take on the name
first, then I will get to your other questions. I'm sure you will draw
plenty of comments too, and this should help in the process.

It's All in the Name
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The current name you have is TwinBore Classics. This almost has the
ring of a new American made motorcycle. I tend to lean in the
direction of your lawyer with regards to the name. I suggest we fiddle
around with some of the variables you already have, to point us in the
direction of more 'elegance' as your lawyer coined it. Here is what we
have so far:

- TwinBore Classics
- Van Staal
- Over/Under shot guns
- $5000 price range
- Netherlands

The 'name brand' you envision will be built around the facts of your
product, so we need to make sure we can personify all the features
with one name, and at the same time, pay homage to your past
business(es). I recommend we key in on Van Staal, as it has a very
clean and powerful association in it's own right, without having to
call on a feature of the actual shotgun in the name. (Bore) I started
swapping words while keeping the traditional feel of 'Van Staal', and
here is what I was able to come up with so far:

- Kamer & Staal (Just found the kamer attractive on the web)
- Van Stether (Arms or Firearms)
- Stether (Shotguns or Arms - singular like colt or ruger)

I then started thinking of more traditional names, and doing a mind
association with major players in the industry right now. Most of the
firearms companies today have a single, powerfully masculine feel, so
I also came up with:

- Steiger
- Van Steil (sounds like Van 'Steal')
- Staali    (sounds like 'stall' E)

What I wanted to do next was try and use some of these in the same
sentence and context to see how they sounded when spoken:

- This slug casing is from a commemorative edition Kamer & Staal 12
gauge.
- This slug casing is from a commemorative edition Van Stether 12
gauge.
- This slug casing is from a commemorative edition Stether 12 gauge.
- This slug casing is from a commemorative edition Steiger 12 gauge.
- This slug casing is from a commemorative edition Van Steil 12 gauge.
- This slug casing is from a commemorative edition Staali 12 gauge.

After saying these out loud to myself, repeatedly, the only two that I
was really drawn to was: Kamer & Stall, and Staali. The first one
really has an aura of excellence (in my opinion), and seems like a
fine 'label' type of name that deserves recognition. When spoken, it
feels like it commands the presence I would look for in a superior
firearm.

That would be my choice. Hopefully we can get some great feedback
going on this question to aid you further. I also read this article
when trying to come up with a name variation :

Choosing a Business name
http://www.canadaone.com/ezine/mar00/business_name.html


Q. Does made in America still count or do most people buy on price and
Quality?

I can not help but take a Harley Davidson marketing approach to your
product. It sounds elegant, exotic, and like something every American
hunter/collector would like to get their hands on. I think if you
stick with an American made product, you may end up seeing your
business take this path of success. Americans love Harley Davidson,
even though they are not always easy to get. Once you have one, you
are in the position to say 'This is America at it's finest'. Cost is
no barrier for fine American quality. We can build a hypothetical
sales pitch to see how it makes us feel/react once we can visualize
the end result:

Kamer & Staal [Over and Under 12 Gauge Shotgun]
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This shotgun is of the finest American quality. Every gun is hand
crafted in our American plant, and inspected by a professional
gunsmith. Custom engraving is available as a special order, and all
artwork is done by a Kamer & Staal
certified artist.


Just reading this lends some potential to the fact that 'American
made' is still of importance to many people. (at least me) We'll wait
and see what type of comments we draw from other researchers/visitors,
but I think you'll be pleasantly suprised with how big of an issue
this can be.

Of course I am biased because I am the one writing an answer to this
opinion based question. I would really love to hear some feedback from
you about this 'answer', so I can lend some more help if needed. I
really enjoy questions like this, and I wish you the utmost success
with your company.

Thanks for the chance to offer my opinion -

SgtCory

---

Clarification of Answer by sgtcory-ga on 04 Nov 2002 22:50 PST

Hello again -

In short, I was trying to say American made is the route I would take.
I am very biased though - as I served 9 years in the Marine Corps for
the country that I love so dearly.

I can speak on the behalf of many of my Marine Corps friends - this is
something they would be interested in ; more so if they knew it was a
high quality American made shotgun vice Made in Spain.

Thanks Again -

SgtCory