In 2016, a mid-sized US trampoline parts retailer was stuck. $500K in annual revenue, but only $25K in profit. Razor-thin 22% margins. Ten unreliable distributors. $50K-80K trapped in slow-moving inventory. Sound familiar? This is the complete story of their transformation—the exact 3-phase process, month-by-month results, and the specific strategies that tripled their profit margins while giving them complete control of their business.
Let's start with the truth most retailers don't like to admit
You can't build a thriving business when you don't control your margins, your stock, or your supply chain.
And yet, that's exactly where most trampoline parts retailers live — day after day:
Turning Point
In 2016, a mid-sized US trampoline parts retailer reached their breaking point.
They were selling solid volume — about $500,000 a year — but barely clearing $25,000 in profit after expenses.
Every month felt the same: work harder, earn less. Dropshipping barely controlled their pricing, dictated which
products they could sell, and left them holding the bag when inventory ran dry.
No more supplier-controlled pricing or case-quantity traps. They chose what to order, when, and how much.
Managing relationships with 10+ distributors created administrative nightmares. Inconsistent quality, unreliable s
Between $50,000-80,000+ sat tied up in slow-moving inventory, forced purchases in case quantities that didn't m
Adding new products required 90-120 days of lead time. Market trends shifted while the retailer waited for distri
"What if we could buy directly from a manufacturer who actually understands the trampoline business?"
Rich understood exact quality specifications, material requirements, and the operational realities of running a tram
For the first time, the retailer could define their own quality standards, bring custom designs, and communicate d
The partnership offered unprecedented flexibility: 100+ SKUs per container, small quantities per item, and the ab
The partnership was built on mutual understanding and long-term thinking. Both parties invested in building a su
"What if we could buy directly from a manufacturer who actually understands the trampoline business?"
Rich understood exact quality specifications, material requirements, and the operational realities of running a tram
For the first time, the retailer could define their own quality standards, bring custom designs, and communicate d
The partnership offered unprecedented flexibility: 100+ SKUs per container, small quantities per item, and the ab
The partnership was built on mutual understanding and long-term thinking. Both parties invested in building a su
had improved dramatically, proving that the strategic shift from reseller to manufacturer partnership could deliver
Margin Increase From 22% to 68% gross margins
Annual Profit Added Sustainable, repeatable growth
Product SKUs Expanded from just 50 items
Partnership Length Still working together since 2016
Margin Increase From 22% to 68% gross margins
Annual Profit Added Sustainable, repeatable growth
Product SKUs Expanded from just 50 items
Partnership Length Still working together since 2016
The retailer was generating $500,000 in annual revenue but barely clearing $25,000 in profit after expenses. Every month felt the same: work harder, earn less. Their problems weren't unique—they're the same challenges most trampoline parts retailers face:
Problem 1: Razor-Thin Margins
Gross margins languished at 20-25%, leaving minimal room for operational expenses or growth investment. They were completely dependent on dropshipping arrangements that offered zero negotiating power.
Problem 2: Distributor Chaos
Managing relationships with 10+ distributors created administrative nightmares. Inconsistent quality, unreliable service, and constant stock-outs meant the business had no control over its own destiny.
Problem 3: Capital Trapped
Between $50,000-80,000 sat tied up in slow-moving inventory from forced case-lot purchases—buying 500-unit minimums when they only needed 50. Distributors required full cases or nothing, which meant over-ordering slow movers just to get access to fast movers. Cash flow suffered as capital sat frozen on shelves, while opportunities to invest in better-selling items passed by.
Problem 4: No Quality Control
Distributors controlled all product specifications—material grades and design standards. Retailers had zero input. Want higher-quality springs? Thicker safety pads? Custom improvements? Not possible. You sold what they decided to stock, which meant competing with identical commodity products at identical quality levels, with no way to differentiate.
The transformation didn't happen overnight. We used a carefully structured three-phase approach that validated quality, mitigated risk, and systematically transitioned them from distributor dependency to manufacturing partnership—while maintaining business continuity throughout.
Founded by Rich Haby, former O2 Trampolines owner with 15+ years in trampoline manufacturing, bringing gen
Access 100+ different SKUs per container with small quantities of 20-50 units each, versus forced case lots of 10
Generic parts designed to fit all major trampoline brands, eliminating brand-specific inventory multiplication and
Define exact material grades and manufacturing tolerances. Bring your own designs and specifications for custom
Add new products in 30-45 days instead of 90-120 days, testing new items with just 20-30 unit minimums.
Air freight available for critical parts delivered within 5-7 days, with direct factory problem resolution.
They handed us their top-selling SKUs head-to-head against their current suppliers. Source A Product's part
Instead of buying 500 units of one SKU, they ordered 100+ SKUs in small quantities —
Systematic replacement of distributor inventory. SKU expansion from 50 to 200+ items. Process refinement
The phased approach allowed the retailer to validate quality and compatibility before committing significant capital, whilst building confidence and expertise at each stage of the transition.
No more supplier-controlled pricing or case-quantity traps. They chose what to order, when, and how much.
By mixing over 100 SKUs per container, they freed $65K+ in dead stock and could reinvest in
One supplier. One point of contact. Zero lost emails, zero language barriers.
Direct manufacturing meant defining their own standards, not accepting "whatever's available."
Phase 1: Quality Validation
They tested 10 of their top-selling SKUs head-to-head against their current suppliers.
Results? Source A Product’s parts outperformed across every metric: quality, compatibility, and durability.
Quality Standards Alignment
Small Quantity Sampling
Risk Assessment
Phase 2: First
Container
Instead of buying 500 units of one SKU, they ordered 100+ SKUs in small quantities 20–50 units each.
That single shift unlocked flexibility, variety, and faster turns without tying up cash.
Container Loading Optimisation
Logistics Coordination
Customs Clearance Management
Phase 3: Full
Transition
Systematic replacement of distributor inventory, SKU expansion from 50 to 200+ items, universal fit strategy implementation, and marketing materials updates.
Customer Communication Stratagy
Brand Positioning Enhancement
Market Expansion Initiatives
Critical Success Factor: The phased approach allowed the retailer to validate quality and compatibility before committing significant capital, whilst building confidence and expertise at each stage of the transition.
The 3 Advantages Distributors Can't Match
Phase 1: Quality Validation
They tested 10 of their top-selling SKUs head-to-head against their current suppliers.
Results? Source A Product’s parts outperformed across every metric: quality, compatibility, and durability.
Quality Standards Alignment
Small Quantity Sampling
Risk Assessment
Phase 2: First
Container
Instead of buying 500 units of one SKU, they ordered 100+ SKUs in small quantities 20–50 units each.
That single shift unlocked flexibility, variety, and faster turns without tying up cash.
Container Loading Optimization
Logistics Coordination
Customs Clearance Management
Phase 3: Full
Transition
Systematic replacement of distributor inventory, SKU expansion from 50 to 200+ items, universal fit strategy implementation, and marketing materials updates.
Customer Communication Stratagy
Brand Positioning Enhancement
Market Expansion Initiatives
Critical Success Factor: The phased approach allowed the retailer to validate quality and compatibility before committing significant capital, whilst building confidence and expertise at each stage of the transition.