Ken is a philanthropist who was deeply involved with
helping Charleston, SC bring back its maritime heritage through the building of
the tall ship, The Spirit. When you enter the offices of Bauer International, in a very
industrial neighborhood in Charleston, you are transported to a world which reflects the mystique and international
attitude of the owner whose philosophy is to utilize the best and most unique
designs and workmanship the world has to offer. This philosophy, encompasses all facets of his enterprise including his catalogs, one of which won a Benjamin (named in honor of Benjamin Franklin) recognizing excellence in independent publishing. It is here in Charleston that Ken designs
and creates golf shop fixtures and will reinvent your locker room while
providing incredible conversation.
Ken,
I am a huge fan of the quality, functionality, look and feel of your product
and services. Explain if you would some of the principles your design staff
brings to the project to create and/or renovate retail space in golf shops?
If
we are asked to be integrally involved in creating or renovating any part of a
clubhouse, be it the locker rooms, dining rooms, meeting rooms and/or the golf
shop, we want first to thoroughly understand the vision of the GM, the Pro and
their membership. We need to get to know as much as possible about the history
of the club and its demographics. We do not want to recreate the shop down the
street. Our reason for being there is to accomplish as economically as possible
a renovation that provides a distinctiveness that reflects the flavor and theme
of the facility and its members. We want to build and add to the image of their
‘brand’. With this in mind I like to personally follow up on all project
opportunities so as to assure we are heading down that path.
What are the design inspirations behind the “Fixtures by Collection” concept and when do you suggest custom planning?
Craig,
I’m going to answer the second part of your question first. We typically
suggest custom work when we need to match the details of the architecture or
the subtleties of the building. Also, occasionally the theme-based requests
require either total customization or a variation on an existing collection
theme which could include a different color story or a particular wood or
finish on existing collection pieces.
Our
three major themes include:
- The Hampstead Collection – inspired by 19th century British and Dutch colonial furnishings. Hand-crafted of solid mahogany and veneers with exquisite hand carvings, utilizing the same century old woodworking techniques as the originals.
- The Stiles Brothers Collection- evokes the spirit of adventure from the early travelers to the far corners of the globe. Derived from those original shapes and form this collection is hand-crafted of rattan, leather and brass fittings.
- The Emerald Isles Collection – has a southern contemporary sophistication. It is rustic, authentic, distressed and casual, utilizing recycled mahogany and brass.
Given the economic climate. what is the thrust of the marketing plan going forward? It is obvious that there is a lot of golf retail that needs your type of help to differentiate itself but there has to be some of the “What comes first the chicken or the egg” that potential customers experiencing.
We
have partnered with the Ranier sales-force to meet with prospective clients in
all regions of the country to take existing relationships and explore the
possibilities of Bauer International helping with any capital improvements from
redesigning the clubhouse to adding a four-way. We have had to navigate the
stormy seas of the last few years like everyone else. While our commitment through
this downturn has been to streamline some of our cost and become as value driven
as possible we still focus on customized differentiation and quality.
What
would you say to the owner of a golf shop who is on the edge about spending the
money it costs to remodel?
It
is an obvious fact that a well designed, well thought out, well-merchandised
shop increases business. A shop is not, however, just a vehicle for selling
merchandise – it is an extension of your club/resort/facility’s brand. The
heart and soul of most clubs that both members and guests or players and
friends see first and often remember most are the golf shop and locker room.
Ken
– thanks for your time and enlightening us on some of the important aspects of your
business which I don’t believe to be well understood. Is there anything that
you would like to add to this entry?
Craig,
thank you. We believe that all business needs to constantly move forward to
thrive and the phrase that we have adopted as a mantra and that you have used
as the title of this interview is “Reinvent, Refresh, Revive”. This is the
thought that I would most like to leave with everyone.
Ken Bauer describes himself as a wood jockey. I
would describe him as a craftsman with an incredible passion for the detail and
quality of what he does and the people he does it with and for. He employs
people in remote villages to take specific advantage of hand-carving and
caning. Ken tells how he brought electricity to two villages in Java and how an
entire village in Ghana is busy making hardware he designed, using the ancient
technique of “lost wax” brass casting. “Business is not a one-sided situation,
it has to be mutually beneficial. I look at everything long term. I want my
relationships with these people to continue and prosper.”
Click the banner to the right for the Bauer International golf page slideshow. If you speak with Ken please give him my best.
