The Importance of Brands and Manufacturer Brand Reputation

In the absence of brands, in the absence of established known recognizable brands, let's say a new category comes along. People who would have bought one didn't actually buy one because they knew there was a sizable risk of buying a piece of crap. And it strikes me this can, if we're not careful, be a major obstacle to innovation. So I always preach the importance of developing a good relationship with your factory.