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Camerons
Has All the Tools
Grillslinger Draws on Growing
Barbecue Market
July 17, 2007
The experienced griller understands the importance of being properly armed for battle. So does Camerons Professional Cookware, maker of the Grillslinger, one of the hottest items in the tailgating world. The Grillslinger is an entire barbecue tool system incorporated into a classic builder’s workbelt (think Home Improvement meets Gunsmoke), which has been selling briskly at retail for nearly a year.
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The Grillslinger retails for $89.00 and, according to VP Chris Malone, the company is very pleased with its performance at retail. High-end stores such as West Marine and Renovation Hardware have had good luck with the product. Malone reports that retailers that cater to the tailgating crowd have been able to upsell the Grillslinger with licensed belt buckles (which are supplied by existing licensees). And after the Grillslinger was featured on a three-minute segment of Gotta Get It prior to Father’s Day, demand for the product soared.
Now Camerons has introduced the Grillslinger Sport, a $49.95 version geared more toward tailgaters. The company is also developing a product for the outdoor market.
“The original Grillslinger features four pockets, three scabards and three ergonomically designed tools,” says Malone. “The Grillslinger Sport is lighter and has two tools—a flipper and tongs—two scabards and a spot for holding a beverage.”
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The Grillslinger concept is especially appealing to owners of expensive barbecues. In the past, these consumers were hesitant to buy tools of equally high quality because unsecured implements tend to fall and get damaged. The thinking behind the Grillslinger is that once cooks are “locked and loaded” everything they need is literally at their side—and stays there.
