 |
 |
|
| About Us |
Everyone always wants to know
where and how we get our fireworks. Furthermore, that we work
year round just gearing up for one day in the beginning of July.
The truth is, here at Fireworks Supermarkets and Fireworks Over
America we begin the development process a full year before
the upcoming season. So for all of you that have asked the questions
here is the answers.
The Life Cycle of Consumer Fireworks
Phase One
A team of Pyrotechnicians from both Fireworks Supermarkets
and Fireworks Over America head to china with Tom and Herbert
Chan. Tom and Herbert are our industrial liaisons between China
and the United States. After arriving in Lui Yang, China Tom
and Herbert have already sorted through thousands of various
products. This essentially gives us a rough draft of product.
In china we then go from factory to factory judging product.
This step is vital because we are looking at thousands of items,
which will eventually be narrowed down to about twenty items.
Once we have seen all of the various products we then begin
the developmental process of creating the actual effects of
each item. To do this we compile all notes and video footage
we have taken over the previous days. For example, Bad to the
Bone actually came from three separate items, which was molded,
into its current state. The reason we designed Bad to the Bone
to have such a variety, is because we wanted a 500gram that
would last longer than any others we produced. The tweaking
process is essential in developing a quality product, which
we strive to achieve in every item we produce.
Phase Two
Once we have developed our new product for the upcoming
season, the product is then shipped to our National Headquarters
in Springfield, Missouri for testing. Our entire product is
put through a vigorous testing cycle to ensure the quality of
the product is efficient for sale. During this testing period
we continue to tweak every product until we have exactly what
we envisioned in China. After the product has passed all the
required tests we then begin brainstorming name ideas. Once
a name is given that corresponds with the products performance
we then trademark that name. The product then enters into an
elite group of private label fireworks called Showtime Brand!!
Phase Three
Now that we have actually created our new product or
changed existing product for the upcoming season, it’s
now time to put in our order. Since we package all of our own
assortments, we must order the product a full 14 months before
the upcoming season. This order is placed between the middle
of May or Early June. We do this to ensure all our customers
that they are receiving product that is fresh and not leftover
from the previous season. Existing product that does not require
any changes is ordered during the middle of August. As for the
new product, the order is usually placed in the beginning of
October. While the product is being produced Tom and Herbert
are always overseeing the production to eliminate any errors,
which might occur.
Phase Four
Now that the product has actually been produced its
time for the journey to what we hope is a satisfied customer.
Before ever leaving the factories, all products must pass through
what is called the American Fireworks Standards Laboratories.
The AFSL runs a voluntary testing program, which ensues all
1.4G Explosives being produced, are within the Laws and Regulations
of the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Fireworks Supermarkets
and Fireworks Over America voluntarily adopt this program to
ensure the safe distribution of consumer fireworks.
Once the finished product has passed through AFSL inspection,
it is then trucked to our where houses in Shang Hai. By truck
they are then shipped to various Chinese ports in Shang-Hai,
Nan-Sha, and Bei-Hai. The product is then loaded onto container
steam ships and is now ready for sail. When the product is in
transit or “on the water”, usually takes about 10
days to arrive at port in Long Beach, California. Once the product
has arrived in the United States it immediately goes on rail
to US customs. The product remains at customs for a period of
5-10days. After the product has passed through customs it is
then shipped to its final destination. Once the product arrives,
it is then put through a final testing sequence to once again
ensure the overall quality of the product. The shipping process
is referred to as, “Door Deliveries”. The typical
duration of a door-to-door delivery is 21-24 days.
Drop Shipment
Our wholesale division, “Fireworks Over America”,
offers what is called a Drop Ship Program. This actually allows
big retailers or other wholesalers to have their product packed
and shipped directly to their door in a K-Line container. This
allows our customers to obtain faster and more efficient service,
essentially eliminating the middleman.
Phase 5
The product is now ready to be distributed to our customers!!!!
|
|
|
|
|
