Dissent offroad modular front bumper (3 Viewers)
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STOP ORDERING FRONTS!!!!!!!!!!!!
I wanted a rear bumper as well, but my guess is that Ben is struggling just to keep up with the front bumper orders. I get requests all the time to develop new products, but when you can barely keep up with your current stuff, the thought of releasing more is terrifying. I feel for you Ben. I had to finally come to the point that my only option to continue to grow my product line was to hire people. I don't have a big company by any means but I now have 4 people making my products which has greatly allowed me to expand my products and meet those requests. May be time to hire another fabricator? I pay them per piece and not per hour so I don't have to worry about not having enough funds per month to pay them. They just keep an eye on my inventory and make sure I have plenty of each design in stock. Sometimes they don't have a lot of work and other times they can barely keep up. Your overall designs, fitment, and quality are top notch so you WILL be successful as you allow things to grow. The key is finding the right people. I have learned that work ethic is WAY more important than skill set. Skills can be taught but work ethic is something you either have or don't. You may spend more up front in training but the guy that will give a 100% when he is there will save you way more in the long wrong. Learned that the hard way.
Well said. I hope I didn't come off rude.
No worries. Nothing rude. I just wanted to give some perspective on the situation since I am in a very similar one.
I second everything bhicks said, but I wanted to highlight this. I have people coming up to me on a weekly basis asking where they could get a bumper like mine. Unfortunately (or fortunately), they are driving all sorts of vehicles. Xterra owners seem to really like it...
benc
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I would love to hire some help but I take too much pride in my work and like things done a certain way.
Training someone would be the only option but again that takes a lot of time. The problem is most skilled fabricators are already in business for them selfs.
But you are 100% right, the only way to grow is to find some help so I can focus more on developing other products. I'm hopping in the next year or two I will have built a new shop and have at least a few more products out. The hardest part is I still have a full time job so all the bumper building is on the weekends.
Maybe someday I will be able to quit my job and do this full time. If that was the case I could build bumpers 3-4 days a week and set aside 1-2 days a week for developing new products.
At first I did not plan on this becoming a business but it is seaming like more of a possibility now than ever.
Again, I would like to thank all of you guys for the support! I have been truly overwhelmed with the amount of support from the people on this forum. Manhattan helping with the branding and temp web site to Creepersleeper driving from Oregon and camping in my back yard in the rain so I could test fit on his lx and many other offering to help with tax stuff, web hosting ect. I hope my appreciation shows in the products I put out! Thanks.
Training someone would be the only option but again that takes a lot of time. The problem is most skilled fabricators are already in business for them selfs.
But you are 100% right, the only way to grow is to find some help so I can focus more on developing other products. I'm hopping in the next year or two I will have built a new shop and have at least a few more products out. The hardest part is I still have a full time job so all the bumper building is on the weekends.
Maybe someday I will be able to quit my job and do this full time. If that was the case I could build bumpers 3-4 days a week and set aside 1-2 days a week for developing new products.
At first I did not plan on this becoming a business but it is seaming like more of a possibility now than ever.
Again, I would like to thank all of you guys for the support! I have been truly overwhelmed with the amount of support from the people on this forum. Manhattan helping with the branding and temp web site to Creepersleeper driving from Oregon and camping in my back yard in the rain so I could test fit on his lx and many other offering to help with tax stuff, web hosting ect. I hope my appreciation shows in the products I put out! Thanks.
Ben, you are an awesome guy and you build one hell of a bumper! I wouldn't hesitate to make the drive again if I could help in any way. 
I think business schools across the country will be studying the birth of Dissent Offroad. Ben didn't set out to be a company. We - the market - damn near demanded that he do so... 50 guys asking where to send their money for a front bumper. Then, as they stood back and looked at their badass front bumpers, thought "I need a rear bumper... BEN!!!"
In a lot of markets ^that^ is the beginning of a huge opportunity. But, the 100 Series market is small. The target market for Ben's stuff is a fraction of that small market. It won't (didn't?) take long to satisfy the majority of market demand (front bumpers). So, then the growing company looks at "brand extensions" - what other products does this company/brand have permission to go after. Clearly, rear bumpers and roof racks, sliders, skids plates, etc. Next, is the same portfolio into other segments, e.g. 200 Series (tiny market), Tundra, Tacoma... Then outside Toyota...
But remember - one of the reasons we were so eager for these products, is that we - the 100 market - were largely underserved by the aftermarket... an ARB-style bumper (from 4+ manufacturers) or a Blueberry. Remember also, there have been few complaints about slider options, rook rack options... I've got to assume the Tacoma, Xterra, Wrangler guys have no shortage of bumpers, racks, etc.
Now, that market saturation/fragmentation doesn't mean a superior product can't come in and take over. Happens everyday... it's just harder.
I think Ben's been very smart about the expansion of the business, maintaining exceptional quality - and quitting the day job. When demand outside the 100 Series reaches critical mass - after the other segments see the work he's doing for the 100 Series - he'll be in a better position to make that leap into (gulp) full-time entrepreneurship.
In the mean time, he's got it made... I mean, what are we going to do - complain about a few weeks backlog?
In a lot of markets ^that^ is the beginning of a huge opportunity. But, the 100 Series market is small. The target market for Ben's stuff is a fraction of that small market. It won't (didn't?) take long to satisfy the majority of market demand (front bumpers). So, then the growing company looks at "brand extensions" - what other products does this company/brand have permission to go after. Clearly, rear bumpers and roof racks, sliders, skids plates, etc. Next, is the same portfolio into other segments, e.g. 200 Series (tiny market), Tundra, Tacoma... Then outside Toyota...
But remember - one of the reasons we were so eager for these products, is that we - the 100 market - were largely underserved by the aftermarket... an ARB-style bumper (from 4+ manufacturers) or a Blueberry. Remember also, there have been few complaints about slider options, rook rack options... I've got to assume the Tacoma, Xterra, Wrangler guys have no shortage of bumpers, racks, etc.
Now, that market saturation/fragmentation doesn't mean a superior product can't come in and take over. Happens everyday... it's just harder.
I think Ben's been very smart about the expansion of the business, maintaining exceptional quality - and quitting the day job. When demand outside the 100 Series reaches critical mass - after the other segments see the work he's doing for the 100 Series - he'll be in a better position to make that leap into (gulp) full-time entrepreneurship.
In the mean time, he's got it made... I mean, what are we going to do - complain about a few weeks backlog?
@Manhattan, sounds like someone has an MBA[emoji6] I agree on all points. I am about to place my own order only delayed by year end work + Christmas 'stuff' -and trying to decide on the setup I want. I think that's part of what makes this platform so desirable is the ability to completely customize the product, but also creates complexities in regards to inventory carry for Ben. Obviously there should be greater production on the base bumper but how do you account for the modular design/ordering. That's the crux with this design in terms of scale. The reason for the demand (pick your design) prevents sales other than direct from Dissent or drop-ship, which makes storefront retail tough and lead times long.
Well designed product, "artisan" made 1 by 1 is unique & cool; I'll gladly support that concept & wait my turn. I think we've become spoiled by instant gratification, immediate responses to our inquiries, and "click" to your doorstep in a day or two. In reality the pressure to push for more volume, faster turnaround and a deeper product line might kill the Ascent of Dissent. Step-By-Step. (Let's not scare him off.)
Hey Ben, I'm just happy things turned this way and that there's plans of expanding in the future!
I mean, we're in these days when people from all over can see something online and create a momentary buzz about it! Then soon after is very easy for all that excitement to just slide through your fingers and all those who pushed you forward disappear leaving you sucking your thumb!
I'm glad it's not the case here! Keep putting out a great job and will see you out there!
Success!
I mean, we're in these days when people from all over can see something online and create a momentary buzz about it! Then soon after is very easy for all that excitement to just slide through your fingers and all those who pushed you forward disappear leaving you sucking your thumb!
I'm glad it's not the case here! Keep putting out a great job and will see you out there!
Success!
Maybe Ben should turn that potential negative (longer lead times) into a positive - per @abuck99 's comment. The artisan idea - hand crafting each one AFTER you specify (within reason of course) your needs. Guys travel all the way to Germany to watch their Porsche move down the assembly line... then ship it home. Makes it more special.
Could even pay homage to the Land Cruiser in the process... Our trucks will be on the road for decades and hundreds of thousands of miles. A couple weeks is blip. Now, the Jeep guys... for God sake, stamp out that bumper and overnight it STAT... while it's still running.
Could even pay homage to the Land Cruiser in the process... Our trucks will be on the road for decades and hundreds of thousands of miles. A couple weeks is blip. Now, the Jeep guys... for God sake, stamp out that bumper and overnight it STAT... while it's still running.
X-mas early! Got my @benc Dissent front bumper today and wow.. what a piece of art & craftsmanship!! Pics online don't do justice, this thing is hefty with top notch engineering. Can't wait to see what Dissent comes up with next. Thanks for the great customer service and custom built product Ben. Looking forward to getting it mounted, pics to follow. Thx @CreeperSleeper for the install guide.. big help.
My pleasure! I'm glad it helped.
Looks like i will be tackling this today. I got all the pieces powder coated, then painted them to match the body color. The powdercaoting couldn't match the factory body color. I could have just painted the inside, but powder will cover in more detail(rust prevention).
For those of you with winches, can you install the winch wile the bumper is on the car or do you do it before? I'm sure it's self explanatory once I start.
By the way, Ben is a stand up guy. The work is not too shabby either.
For those of you with winches, can you install the winch wile the bumper is on the car or do you do it before? I'm sure it's self explanatory once I start.
By the way, Ben is a stand up guy. The work is not too shabby either.
And while the winch will be a bit lighter (a lot if using steel cable) with the line off the winch, remember - getting that little set screw (that holds the end of the cable on the drum) started is a lot easier before the winch is buried in the bumper.
That paint looks really good! Is that the body (Thunder Cloud?) or the OE bumper paint that you matched? Can't wait to see this one all mounted up.
That paint looks really good! Is that the body (Thunder Cloud?) or the OE bumper paint that you matched? Can't wait to see this one all mounted up.
