Is SIG's Ron Cohen the Anti-Christ?

X-man

X-man

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
EE Expired
Rating - 100%
249   0   0
Location
Newfoundland
Just heard that SIG had unceremoniously turfed their official Team SIG shooting team, affectionately known as the "Grey Shirts," and erased almost all official on-line evidence of its existence. Their Facebook page now redirects viewers back to Sig's homepage, the Team SIG website is shuttered, etc...

There's a pretty good thread going on the issue on the Brian Enos forum for those interested. I had the opportunity to meet some of the team over the years and they were excellent ambassadors for SIG and for our shooting sports.

I have been a fan of SIG Sauer pistols since my teens, but I don’t know if I could recommend buying a new SIG today given the company's commitment to cheesy marketing campaigns and a changed business model that stresses quantity over quality.

The guy responsible for this is Ron Cohen, the current head of SIG and former head of Kimber. It was under Cohen's "leadership" that Kimber went from a well-respected manufacturer of quality 1911 pistols, and acknowledged innovator within the industry, to a hack builder of cheesy 1911 knock-offs aimed at shooters who far too often had more money than good taste. Again, quantity over quality was stressed under Cohen's reign. I heard one former employee of Kimber describe Cohen as the Anti-Christ of our firearms community.

Given the direction Cohen has taken SIG and the obvious decline in quality of US built guns I can't call him a liar. Another constant complaint I hear, this time from 556 owners, aside from quality issues related to their rifles build quality, is the lack of spare parts and factory support.

It's a damn shame to see just how far this once proud company has strayed from the path that made its reputation.
 
It's been the down fall of many a good company. These 6 sigma blackbelt a$$holes are the anti-Christ indeed. They'll "right size", "Kyzan" a companies employees and customer base into oblivion before someone at "the board" pulls their head out of their a$$ to notice. Then they'll move on to the next unsuspecting company. I say find them, tag them, hang them (joke, relax) before more damage can be done. They leave nothing but damage in their wake.
 
1+. Your post accurately captures the current impression that a lot of old-school German (not to mention Swiss) Sig afictionados now have of the Exeter based company.
 
If I were a team member I'd be in sigh of relief since I don't have to shoot their pistols anymore. LOL.

X5/X6 are the only pistols that are remotely designed for competition and they are stopping production in Germany.
 
My opinion only.....

Sig began as a company that strived to make an innovative, affordable, and quality product.
They had some predictable false steps as they grew, but overcame most through a willingness to adapt practices as required without shedding the guiding principles.

Then at a certain point, things changed. As an outsider, it seemed to correspond to the time frame when their US operation seemed to be at it's peak of expansion.
Rather than one company and one path, they seemed to be operating as disinterested siblings. Neither entirely making good on the others failings or taking ownership of the whole.

Now it seems that their core principles are strictly the corporate bottom line.
They are not alone. I could write the same about H&K.
They both are riding on excellent product awareness and brand loyalty but mediocre current production.
 
To be fair, I think there are some nice Exeter models. The Stainless Elites I've seen were all quite nice. I had a 5" Match Elite which shot well, and some guys I trust swear by their SAO Super Match P220s. It also seems like the Gray guns (the 10mm p220 and the Legions) have a dedicate following. However, I do think Exeter is trying to offer too much variety and QA/QC is bound to suffer. Whether the Legions are decent or not - I do agree the marketing guys went a little overboard with the symbol and mail order coin and kit (granted I'm a little on the conservative side).
 
I haven't seen anything significantly wrong with new SIG products. I agree that the marketing team has gone overboard, but where has this massive dip in quality been? Every US Sig I've seen, handled, or shot hasn't been any better or worse than its earlier US or German counterparts. Sure, Exeter doesn't build any P210 or X5 equivalents, but at the end of the day those were never the company's breadwinner. The P226 was, however it's getting a bit long in the tooth, and doesn't meet the SOR for many modern firearms acquisition trials. Under Cohen the P320 came to be, which like it or not, will be a make or break proposition for the company. If producing a new model that may save the company is a hallmark of the anti-Christ then so be it.

As for the 556 owners the math is simple. As long as there is high demand the supply of parts on hand is better used/more profitable to the company as another whole rifle out the door. As soon as demand slows there will be an ample supply of spares and time for the factory to make repairs a worthwhile proposition.

Say what you will about Cohen but the guy knows how to make money and is likely to keep Sig in business. Kimber is now, along with Sig, the most common 1911 I see at gun shops. As for the shooting team; personable, skilled, competitive people rarely have difficulty finding a new employer. I bet they'll be alright.
 
Protege said:
You guys telling me that yong lee and especially max michel are no longer with sig? And is lena miculek out too? She just signed on.
Click to expand...

Yup.

Y Lee will still be sponsored through Grey Guns.

Too bad that SIG losses the representation of world class shooters and top notch sports ambassadors. I have bought products because of Team SIG. After hearing about this, I'm disinclined to support a manufacturer who can't pull enough sheckles together to have a presence at the podium.
 
If anyone here thinks it is anything but about the bottom line you are ridiculously naive. You either meet bottom line expectations or the BoD will get someone who can. Simple.

Making firearms that last, and last, and last, and....make a profit is no easy task particularly when you makes metal framed guns vs the onslaught of inexpensive polymer guns. SIG either generates with their peer group norm or they leave the market to those who can.

Take Care

Bob
 
redruns said:
Yup.

Y Lee will still be sponsored through Grey Guns.

Too bad that SIG losses the representation of world class shooters and top notch sports ambassadors. I have bought products because of Team SIG. After hearing about this, I'm disinclined to support a manufacturer who can't pull enough sheckles together to have a presence at the podium.
Click to expand...

Just did a bit of digging. Max and Lena are still with sig.
 
redruns said:
Too bad that SIG losses the representation of world class shooters and top notch sports ambassadors. I have bought products because of Team SIG. After hearing about this, I'm disinclined to support a manufacturer who can't pull enough sheckles together to have a presence at the podium.
Click to expand...

Keep in mind that sponsorship takes on many forms in the US.

On the high end, there are shooters on the company payroll, with the manufacturer covering all equipment, match, and training expenses.
On the low end, you have manufacturers simply giving shooters a discount in the gun they buy for themselves.

The same applies to the ammunition and reloading component manufacturers, etc.
 
Canuck223 said:
Keep in mind that sponsorship takes on many forms in the US.

On the high end, there are shooters on the company payroll, with the manufacturer covering all equipment, match, and training expenses.
On the low end, you have manufacturers simply giving shooters a discount in the gun they buy for themselves.

The same applies to the ammunition and reloading component manufacturers, etc.
Click to expand...

Not to mention significant contributions to Major Matches, both monetary and product.

Take Care

Bob
 
From what I gather, individual "Pro" shooters like Lena Miculek who have individual contracts with SIG will remain under contract. Those who don't are gone.
 
plinker 777 said:
It's been the down fall of many a good company. These 6 sigma blackbelt a$$holes are the anti-Christ indeed. They'll "right size", "Kyzan" a companies employees and customer base into oblivion before someone at "the board" pulls their head out of their a$$ to notice. Then they'll move on to the next unsuspecting company. I say find them, tag them, hang them (joke, relax) before more damage can be done. They leave nothing but damage in their wake.
Click to expand...

Not to derail, but "Kaizen" needs to be part of the structure from the top down. It can't be introduced by a 3rd party.

Of course that doesn't stop businesses from throwing untold amounts of money at "consultants".
 
Quote Originally Posted by plinker 777 View Post
It's been the down fall of many a good company. These 6 sigma blackbelt a$$holes are the anti-Christ indeed. They'll "right size", "Kyzan" a companies employees and customer base into oblivion before someone at "the board" pulls their head out of their a$$ to notice. Then they'll move on to the next unsuspecting company. I say find them, tag them, hang them (joke, relax) before more damage can be done. They leave nothing but damage in their wake.
Click to expand...

Interesting perspective. I believe you are lashing out at an individual or a type of person rather than continuous improvement? Take a look at NUMMI if you want more of a historical example of Kaizen at work. A plant under GM that had 20% absenteeism and the worst quality record in GM to 2% absenteeism and the best quality record within GM. I think Tesla know owns that site but it ran under the joint venture (Toyota/GM) from 1985 to around 2010.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom