Over recent weeks a number of questions have been asked by EN readers regarding the position of Point Two air jackets following the arrival of another jacket, manufactured by Helite, onto the market. Helite’s entry has been accompanied by a confusion about where Point Two air jackets should be serviced and accusations of patent infringements. Such claims have caused interest not just from EN readers but also on COTH and Horse & Hound forums and we were delighted that our friends and sponsors at Point Two reached out to us for the opportunity to put the record straight.
Firstly, I asked Lee Middleton, Point Two Global Manager, how he felt about having more competition in the air jacket market. He spoke like a true competitor, welcoming the challenge and saying “Competition is good for the market because it will push us to make better products. Competition will push the industry to have better testing and safety standards and we look forward to being pushed to constantly improve the technology, a process that will ultimately make riders safer.”
He then went on to address some of the specific concerns that were being raised around jacket servicing and patents.
1) Customers with a Point Two air jacket should to send them to Point Two for servicing. Lee explained that one benefit of the rumors has been an increased awareness that air jackets need annual servicing. However, he was extremely clear that the warranty that comes with a Point Two air jacket counts on the Air Jackets being serviced with Point Two and that, as the manufacturer of the air jackets, Point Two has the expertise to service them properly. So, yes, send your Point Two air jackets to Point Two’s service department located in Warrenton, Virginia.
2) As for patents, Lee said that Point Two and its customers have nothing to worry about. He said that Helite does have a patent, but Point Two’s lawyers are very clear that they are not infringing on the patent. Lee said “let me make it clear, Point Two is not infringing on any patents.” He said Point Two has made a new “bayonet” triggering system that is faster, better manufactured, and easier to change, and that Point Two has a patent pending on that system itself.
3) All of Point Two’s critical components are manufactured and assembled in England, which is not the case with competitors. The only portion of a Point Two air jacket that is assembled outside of England are the fabric shells, which are made in Bulgaria.
Lee says, “The Point Two team is always available to answer any questions or provide assistance in any way. We have amazing customers that we enjoy staying in touch with.”
I want to thank Lee for his time and Point Two for their ongoing support of Eventing Nation. Lee was also happy to mention that Point Two has renewed their support of the USEA and eventing in our country for another year as “The Official Air Jackets of the USEA.” Go Eventing.
