No. 38 - Rochester Top 100
Crosman Corp.
About Crosman Corp.: Air gun and paintball manufacturer and distributor.
Rank on Top 100: 38
Top Executive: Ken D'Arcy
Employees: 220
Website:www.crosman.com
We asked Ken D'Arcy, president and CEO, to talk about his business.
Question: Who are some of your competitors?
D'Arcy: We like to think that we have no real competitors, but there are one or two who serve the same markets we serve. The key is to focus on your customers and make sure you do the best possible job for them. If you do that really well, competitors quickly become irrelevant.
Question: How did your company do at the SHOT Show?
D'Arcy: Crosman introduced a number of exciting new air gun and soft air products, and our new brand, CenterPoint Precision Optics, was very well received by both our customers and the media. We also presented the third annual Crosman Friend of Youth Shooting Award to Dr. William Christy, a lifelong champion of shooting and a great industry contributor.
Question: How has your company been able to grow to achieve its ranking in the Top 100?
D'Arcy: Crosman is proud of its heritage as a contributor to Rochester's industrial community. Our growth is a function of our success in the marketplace and our recognition that we are a member of the global business community. Opportunities are truly worldwide and we are taking advantage of as many as we can, while sticking to our knitting. Our core competency remains in the shooting sports. We continue to till that field with enthusiasm.
Question: What additional services can the Rochester Business Alliance provide to help your business?
D'Arcy: Crosman is happy with the business information it receives from the Rochester Business Alliance.
Question: What would you like to see happen in our region and in our state, to help business thrive?
D'Arcy: There is always room to improve conditions for business. The global competitive environment is becoming ever more intense. Any advantage the government can provide to business, insures that the business community and the community at large will continue to thrive.
Question: What trends are you seeing among your customers in terms of preferences?
D'Arcy: Our customers, like most 21st century people, enjoy getting to the fun faster. They are demanding and want satisfaction from the products they buy. Likewise they demand quality and innovation in design. We have been successful in providing all those things and, in large measure, have led our category in setting, rather than following trends.
Question: What are the biggest opportunities you see ahead, as well as the biggest challenges?
D'Arcy: The biggest opportunities we see in the shooting sports lie in identifying what people want. We have a good handle on that and continue to design and market the products that satisfy people's wants and needs. In addition, we're always on the lookout for new opportunities and allied products that fit well with our core competency in the shooting sports. As for challenges, the greatest challenge that faces all of us in business is staying fresh and passionate about what we do. At Crosman, we are passionate about our business. That seems to keep us ahead of the curve and grow healthier each year.