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For several years we’ve been using a gallery application to host and share thousands upon thousands of Z related images both publicly and internally. Certain sections of our galleries have been set up for our own internal use. They include thousands of images relating to a variety Z1 internal business aspects, everything from pictorial packaging procedures to a map of how to park cars at the Z Nationals. Some sections also included hundreds of folders relating to product development and designs. There are many original Z1 product designs as well as ongoing development projects included in some of the private galleries. This information is obviously confidential and not intended to be shared outside of Z1. Companies have internal files and documents that are simply not appropriate to share with the competition or the public. There is nothing shady about it and should be perfectly understandable to anyone who has worked in the real world. After quite a few years of using this tool for sharing internal information, this morning it became apparent that the security of our galleries that had what we naively considered to be “restricted access” had been compromised, actually it was obvious that the privacy of these files was blown completely to shreds. From hundreds of folders of product development images, a few select examples were pulled to suit a particular purpose of discrediting Z1. While there are in fact reasonable explanations for the particular images and galleries that were posted publicly with intent to smear Z1, it is clear that the security of all the files and folders in the internal galleries were compromised and there was really no choice other than to disable access to the entire gallery until the problem can be resolved. Clearly what we advertise and sell publicly on [ www.300zx.com ] is representative of our product development. We have numerous galleries that detail our relentless work to produce products to our exact specifications that were not posted. Although they were selective for a purpose, there is little of anything that I consider as a surprise regarding the links that have been posted. Many of the products that were listed are products that we have been actively selling on our website for quite some time. Then there are galleries from years ago posted, regarding development of products that the decision was made to cancel for a variety of reasons. Z1 has developed and produced a multitude of products, literally hundreds, with many more in the works. Some items are produced in house, many others here in the West Georgia area, as well as other suppliers producing products exclusive to Z1 specifications all over the US. We also have suppliers in Austrailia, Korea, Japan, Taiwan, and China. We recognize the strengths and limitations of our suppliers from their abilities and access to proper materials to lead times and cost effectiveness. We realize some products simply can’t be produced in China if we are to maintain an acceptable level of quality, like a turbo for instance, while on the other hand a key chain is obviously OK considering all products now go through a QC inspection at Z1 before packaging. We make individual decisions on suppliers to produce our products based on first the ability to meet our specifications and quality expectations and then second the economics are considered. When searching for another one piece Z32 driveshaft supplier, we realized that although we could have them produced offshore for less, we needed to go with the best of the best in Michigan regardless of the higher costs, because there is little room for error when building a one piece driveshaft for a Z32. When we needed a specific sized silicone coupler, we discovered a supplier in China that delivered with better quality than from our other suppliers here in the US for less price, thus a choice of a supplier for that product was made. Now to the matter of what products Z1 pursues the development of and why. We constantly pursue and develop products for the Z32 market. Some are original and some are improvements on existing designs. We do not carbon copy products unless there is a serious supply issue. If a product goes out of production and we can no longer purchase it and offer it to our customers and there is a substantial demand for it we may have it produced. We’ve done this already with several Nissan OEM parts that Nissan is no longer making and been graciously thanked for doing so in many cases. In most cases we also improve upon and refine the product as well as try and have it produced for a more attractive price if possible. As one example actually from the post above, our ability to purchase Z32 gauge rings went away for several years. Despite repeated request from existing suppliers no one could or would deliver. Customers wanted the rings but they simply couldn’t get them anywhere. Eventually we took on the project of producing gauge rings. We produced gauge rings that snap into place with no glue which was a first and saves a big mess. We also took into account slight differences in different model year gauge clusters to produce rings specific to snap into a particular model. We’d never even seen that mentioned before. The development of gauge rings may seem simple but took several months, a lot of prototypes to get the perfect fit, and involved machining to the thousandth of an inch. These were far from just a copy and we’ve sold many hundreds of sets of a superior product to customers who wouldn’t even have them at all otherwise. The notion that the production of Z1 gauge rings was unethical is ridiculous. The dual pop silicone elbows were a project we had in the works for a year before we even ever heard of a “Selin Elbow”. When we saw Selin elbows released we immediately contacted him and let him know that we already had some of the same in the works with production already planned. We have dated e-mail exchanges regarding development of these that I intend to dig up and forward to Jim on the subject in response to his post in this thread.
The list goes on and on and there are logical explanations for each product that can be made if I chose to continue to neglect other more important family responsibilities this Sunday afternoon. This thread started with a discussion of fuel rails. Two links were posted that had been methodically derived from the Z1 internal image gallery that the poster absolutely knew were intended for Z1 internal use only. One of the links that was posted was related to a comparison which had nothing to do with product development at all. The truth about this link would be surprising to say the least. Z1 has never intentionally mislead our customers by claiming a product to be a particular brand name and then supplying a look alike copy. The other link was several years old and related to a project that was completely scrapped years ago. The only reason the project was even considered is because our supply was cut and we needed an alternative, but after the flare of emotions subsided the ethical choice was made to scrap the idea and this post was made; a promise which wasn’t broken.
La-Z-Link
We’ve bought, sold, and installed many sets of 300degree fuel rails since this post was made a couple years ago. We haven’t had a second thought about producing Z32 fuel rails since. Actually we have been more focused on the adapter kits which we consider in most cases to be a much more practical solution. Admittedly we produced our own adapters and improved on the fitment of the Deatschwerks pieces mainly because of continual supply issues. We didn’t misrepresent these with our advertising and we even told Deatschwerks what was going on. Not too long afterwards Deatswerks made some design changes and eliminated the supply issues so we are back to purchasing from them again. Z1 Motorsports #1 goal is to provide the entire Z32 community with the best products at the best prices. We do recognize ethical standards and common courtesy is an essential part of accomplishing this goal. However as you can see from just a few examples above, the ethical decisions we deal with are often not black and white and there is often more to a situation than may be apparent from one perspective. We avoid unethical decisions at all costs, however the reality of the situations that we make decisions on is often very different than what the public may be aware of. We refuse to consider crossing ethical lines as acceptable in accomplishing our goals. Sometimes they’ve been crossed purely by mistake or misunderstanding. We are a large operation, many employees, many customers, suppliers, projects, and products. Have there been instances where we have crossed lines we should not have? Absolutley, but we’ve honestly apologized, learned from those experiences and we continue to grow and move forward as a result.
Russell Floyd Z1 Motorsports
www.300zx.com
1990+ Nissan Z specialists Used Parts, New parts, Service/Repair and Performance
Z1 Motorsports Exclusive Parts Line 2877 Carrollton Villa Rica Hwy
Carrollton, Ga 30116 770-838-7777
770-832-9253 (fax) 
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