In what is looking to be the biggest news all month, Hybrid has penned a note of farewell to their contract killers and muppet mowers, as well as the entire paintball community. It details an interesting back story of misfortune for Hybrid this past year, but doesn't tell everything. First of all, I think it's important to point out that, while it spends a great deal of time talking about the problem, specifics aren't mentioned. That's probably a wise move for a company that's trying to bide its time rather than quit outright, but it makes for a goodbye letter that's difficult to fully understand.

Just as interesting are the allegations flying around that Hybrid was having manufacturing problems in China, while still engaged in a legal battle with NPS (currently Kee Action Sports) over their company name. Though these things may be true, more important are the things listed in the note, which you can read below. Also on the Hybrid site is a video tribute to those who have proudly carried the Hybrid Contract Killer status throughout the company's life.

And so Hybrid leaves behind an industry whose image it helped form with the many trendy, stylish, and otherwise "agg" items that it marketed to all of the tournament players who wanted to be just like those SoCal ballers. Though I can't say that it was an image that ever appealed to me enough to make me buy Hybrid stuff, the influence of Hybrid, whether good or bad is certainly evident no matter where you look in tournament paintball today.

Click below to read full copy of Hybrid's farewell letter.

(more…)

In what is looking to be the biggest news all month, Hybrid has penned a note of farewell to their contract killers and muppet mowers, as well as the entire paintball community. It details an interesting back story of misfortune for Hybrid this past year, but doesn't tell everything. First of all, I think it's important to point out that, while it spends a great deal of time talking about the problem, specifics aren't mentioned. That's probably a wise move for a company that's trying to bide its time rather than quit outright, but it makes for a goodbye letter that's difficult to fully understand.

Just as interesting are the allegations flying around that Hybrid was having manufacturing problems in China, while still engaged in a legal battle with NPS (currently Kee Action Sports) over their company name. Though these things may be true, more important are the things listed in the note, which you can read below. Also on the Hybrid site is a video tribute to those who have proudly carried the Hybrid Contract Killer status throughout the company's life.

And so Hybrid leaves behind an industry whose image it helped form with the many trendy, stylish, and otherwise "agg" items that it marketed to all of the tournament players who wanted to be just like those SoCal ballers. Though I can't say that it was an image that ever appealed to me enough to make me buy Hybrid stuff, the influence of Hybrid, whether good or bad is certainly evident no matter where you look in tournament paintball today.

Click below to read full copy of Hybrid's farewell letter.

(more…)