Acme United Launches Cuda Family of Fishing Tools
Acme United (ACU – $17.30) recently launched an entire line of fishing knives and tools under the new brand Cuda. About 30 tools, specifically designed for rigorous inshore, offshore and freshwater fishing, were shown to the public for the first time in Orlando, Florida at the International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades (ICAST), the largest sportfishing trade show in the world.
The most important feature for ICAST exhibitors and attendees is the new product awards competition. This year, more than 700 tackle products and accessories were entered by 253 companies to win one of the 24 “Best of Show” awards. Cuda entered the competition in the FishSmart Tackle category with the Grip & Scale tool, and immediately came out on top. A true achievement and an indication of the quality of the new tools!
The Cuda Pros
Similar to what Camillus did with Les Stroud, Cuda partnered with six professional fishermen to be Cuda Pros, each hand-picked for their fishing accomplishments and dedication to the fishing community.
Bob Izumi, known from the syndicated television show Real Fishing, Mariko Izumi of the World Fishing Network’s Hookin’ Up, and four captains seen on National Geographic Channel’s hit series Wicked Tuna: TJ Ott, Tyler McLaughlin, Dave Marciano, and Dave Carraro, will be using Cuda tools on upcoming episodes of their respective television shows.
The Cuda fishing gear, which includes snips, wire cutters, scale/skin grippers, knives and scissors, was developed and tested in cooperation with some of the Cuda Pros in fresh and saltwater environments, to ensure the highest quality and reliability.
A New Brand
With Cuda, Acme United launches one of the most comprehensive lines of fishing tools available. The tools are created with a breakthrough design that allows the angler to actually see that the knife has a full tang construction (see images below).
Moreover, the Cuda tools are manufactured with German 4116 steel for unsurpassed corrosion resistance, they carry Acme’s patented Titanium Bonded technology making them three times harder than untreated options, and they’re equipped with Aluminum Alloy and Tungsten Carbide, guaranteeing the ultimate in performance. In fact, Cuda guarantees all of its tools with a lifetime warranty!
The Cuda tools are expected to be available in stores in the fourth quarter of this year. No sales information has been announced yet, but we assume prominent big box and sporting goods stores to have a serious interest in these high-quality tools.
ICAST
ICAST is the premier showcase for the latest innovations in fishing gear, accessories and apparel. This year’s show attracted more than 11,000 visitors from all over the world, including nearly 1,000 media outlets.
ICAST is organized by the American Sportfishing Association (ASA), which represents America’s 60 million anglers. Those anglers generate over $48 billion in retail sales annually with a $115 billion impact on the nation’s economy creating employment for more than 828,000 people.
Conclusion
Acme United again succeeded in re-inventing a set of everyday products, in this case fishing gear, by applying new and improved materials to them. This is truly what makes the Company grow and prosper.
Winning one of the Best of Show awards at the largest fishing event in the world is a valuable recognition and is bound to open some doors with retailers.
We heard there was lots of interest at the Cuda booth at ICAST from media and potential buyers. Backed by the Cuda Pros, which will use the Cuda tools on their popular TV shows, we’re anxious to find out about the first sales results in a few months.
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