2016 a crisis for Shureido.

[opr1945101]

I came across this statement " 2016 during a Karate Gi production crisis for Shureido." What crisis are they talking about?

thanks.

 

[HighKick1]

I came across this statement " 2016 during a Karate Gi production crisis for Shureido." What crisis are they talking about?

thanks.

You will have to dramatically expand for anyone to know what you are talking about.

 

[opr1945101]

If I had more information I would have included it.

 

[opr1945101]

Okay, after I posted above I tried one more time and I found.

2016 Shureido Karate Gi Production Crisis​

In 2016, Shureido USA experienced a major production backlog that left many karateka unable to get their gis in time for peak competition seasons. This was especially acute during “karate peak season”, when demand spikes for tournaments and events overwhelmed their supply chain 国際空手古武道連盟.

Causes of the Crisis​

• Handmade, low-volume production: Shureido is not a mass-production brand. Most gis are made by hand in Okinawa, Japan, with limited resources karateforums.com.
• Tournament demand: In September 2016, customers reported that Shureido USA had been allocated all available gis to supply a World Karate Federation (WKF) tournament, leaving no stock for other orders karateforums.com.
• Backlog effects: The factory’s hands-on approach meant gis could take half a year or more to produce, and once ordered, they were often delayed for months karateforums.com.
• Size and style focus: Size 5 was the most popular, so other sizes (like size 4) were often out of stock karateforums.com.

Customer Impact​

• Many buyers, including those in the U.S., found all major dealers (Budo-Fight, Discountmas, Kamakaze, Shureido Malaysia, Shureido Okinawa) out of stock karateforums.com.
• Shureido USA had limited stock, but not for every size, forcing customers to wait or look elsewhere.
• Some competitors (like Tokaido) and other brands (Hirota, Seishin) became alternatives during the shortage 国際空手古武道連盟+1.

Workarounds and Alternatives​

• Custom orders: Some customers ordered directly from Shureido Japan or Malaysian branches, but shipping and production times remained long Reddit.
• Alternative brands: Tokaido, Hirota, and Seishin were popular substitutes during the shortage 国際空手古武道連盟+1.
• Local sourcing: For those close to Shureido Japan, visiting in person could help secure stock, though even that could take months Reddit.

Summary​

The 2016 crisis was a direct result of Shureido’s small-scale, artisanal production model and the high demand during tournament seasons. It highlighted the brand’s reputation for quality but also its vulnerability to supply constraints. For 2016, buyers had to plan ahead, order early, or consider alternatives to avoid being left without a gi for key competitions.

 

[opr1945101]

I also found this:

"Shureido was founded in 1927 in Japan.

Shureido USA began in 1978 in a small shop in Los Angeles when Ryukyu Enterprises Inc. was offered a chance to exclusively distribute the Shureido brand. After the devastation of having our business looted and burned in the 1992 Los Angeles riots, we moved to Orange, CA where we now have an 8,000 square foot facility where we stock the full Shureido product line and can ship you a Shureido gi, karate or kobudo equipment within 24 hours, usually the same day. Since quality and authenticity are the essence of Karate, we are proud to offer the Shureido brand, which represents the highest quality that can be found in martial arts equipment anywhere. Remember Shureido, the world famous brand from the birthplace of Karate.

Operating Model: As of late 2020, the physical shop was closed to walk-in traffic. Customers must place orders via phone or email and arrange for parking lot pick-up or mail delivery.
Communication Challenges: Multiple reports from 2024 and 2025 indicate that the California office often leaves inquiries unanswered, leading even the headquarters in Okinawa to express confusion over the lack of response.

 

[Same Trick49]

”karate tournament peak season “ and one must have a brand new karate gi for that occasion alone, a new one every year or even better for every tournament.

 

[Gyakuto103]

My other half has just ordered a new keikogi and she looked at Shureido/Seishin but plumped for good ol’ Tokaido 10oz ‘Kata’. However, she too doesn’t like those silly ‘long skirts’ but the Tokaido ‘Ultimate’ which is a traditional shorter-skirted cut, no longer seems to be available.

 

[HighKick1]

Okay, after I posted above I tried one more time and I found.

2016 Shureido Karate Gi Production Crisis​

In 2016, Shureido USA experienced a major production backlog that left many karateka unable to get their gis in time for peak competition seasons. This was especially acute during “karate peak season”, when demand spikes for tournaments and events overwhelmed their supply chain 国際空手古武道連盟.

Causes of the Crisis​

• Handmade, low-volume production: Shureido is not a mass-production brand. Most gis are made by hand in Okinawa, Japan, with limited resources karateforums.com.
• Tournament demand: In September 2016, customers reported that Shureido USA had been allocated all available gis to supply a World Karate Federation (WKF) tournament, leaving no stock for other orders karateforums.com.
• Backlog effects: The factory’s hands-on approach meant gis could take half a year or more to produce, and once ordered, they were often delayed for months karateforums.com.
• Size and style focus: Size 5 was the most popular, so other sizes (like size 4) were often out of stock karateforums.com.

Customer Impact​

• Many buyers, including those in the U.S., found all major dealers (Budo-Fight, Discountmas, Kamakaze, Shureido Malaysia, Shureido Okinawa) out of stock karateforums.com.
• Shureido USA had limited stock, but not for every size, forcing customers to wait or look elsewhere.
• Some competitors (like Tokaido) and other brands (Hirota, Seishin) became alternatives during the shortage 国際空手古武道連盟+1.

Workarounds and Alternatives​

• Custom orders: Some customers ordered directly from Shureido Japan or Malaysian branches, but shipping and production times remained long Reddit.
• Alternative brands: Tokaido, Hirota, and Seishin were popular substitutes during the shortage 国際空手古武道連盟+1.
• Local sourcing: For those close to Shureido Japan, visiting in person could help secure stock, though even that could take months Reddit.

Summary​

The 2016 crisis was a direct result of Shureido’s small-scale, artisanal production model and the high demand during tournament seasons. It highlighted the brand’s reputation for quality but also its vulnerability to supply constraints. For 2016, buyers had to plan ahead, order early, or consider alternatives to avoid being left without a gi for key competitions.

I know nothing about the issue or the company. This could be anything from an honest explanation of what happened to a media blub to get noticed.
What is your point to the post?

 

[opr1945101]

I came across this statement " 2016 during a Karate Gi production crisis for Shureido." What crisis are they talking about?

thanks.

I had not heard of a gi crisis in 2016, so I asked. Eventually, I found what I posted to share with others. Perhaps they had not heard of the gi crisis either.

This could be anything from an honest explanation of what happened to a media blub to get noticed.

It's the internet, this is true for everything. Main stream news? Government press releases? Pod casts? Joe Rogen? Forum posts? Facebook? Business press releases? Infowars? Political pundits? Religious leaders? Politicians? Donald Trump? Politicians....

 

[Gyakuto103]

It's the internet, this is true for everything. Main stream news? Government press releases? Pod casts? Joe Rogen? Forum posts? Facebook? Business press releases? Infowars? Political pundits? Religious leaders? Politicians? Donald Trump? Politicians....

Nurse! His medication…quickly!

 

[Tez3]

After ten years I expect it's either sorted or there's a new crisis

 

[HighKick1]

After ten years I expect it's either sorted or there's a new crisis

I have never seen so much consternation over a uniform!

 

[Xue Sheng97]

”karate tournament peak season “ and one must have a brand new karate gi for that occasion alone, a new one every year or even better for every tournament.

Can you imagine the embarrassment…..you step onto the mat…. Face your opponent… and he says….isn’t that LAST years Gi…for all in the stadium to hear

 

[opr1945101]

It's just history.