They say time flies when you’re doing what you love. The Shot Darts history stretches back more than 50 years, and four generations of the McCormick family.
PUMA Darts gets its start
Founder John McCormick’s dad was the accountant for the local hardware store, where the owner made coir dartboards. Inspired by the machine – John bought it, quit his job, and moved to small town Katikati with wife Pat, daughter Julie and baby Peter, building the original factory.
No plan, just a passion
In 1970's New Zealand, port strikes blocked sports equipment imports. John saw an opportunity to make darts locally, and in 1972, Puma exported its first darts. A natural entrepreneur, John flew by the seat of his pants. Says wife Pat “I don’t think John had a plan. He was out there, he was vivacious, and just went with it. And he had me behind him.”
The early years
Early on, Puma also made brass darts in house for other brands. Then John met a man from Taupo who was trying to make bristle boards. John bought his company and in the late 70s bought and converted Donaghy’s old bailing twine line into a sisal processing machine to make bristle dartboards. Puma Darts began exporting into Europe after John attended his first ISPO Tradeshow, USA and the rest of the world soon followed.
The Shot Darts legacy
Sadly, John passed away in 2003. Luckily the team supported son Peter and Julie through the evolution and growth that followed. Says Peter, “Players still drive all we do. They challenge us to get better. It’s an obsession for finding out what our players (at every level) need, and how we can make the game incredible for them.”
No plan, just a passion
In 1970's New Zealand, port strikes blocked sports equipment imports. John saw an opportunity to make darts locally, and in 1972, Puma exported its first darts. A natural entrepreneur, John flew by the seat of his pants. Says wife Pat “I don’t think John had a plan. He was out there, he was vivacious, and just went with it. And he had me behind him.”
The early years
Early on, Puma also made brass darts in house for other brands. Then John met a man from Taupo who was trying to make bristle boards. John bought his company and in the late 70s bought and converted Donaghy’s old bailing twine line into a sisal processing machine to make bristle dartboards. Puma Darts began exporting into Europe after John attended his first ISPO Tradeshow, USA and the rest of the world soon followed.
The Shot Darts legacy
Sadly, John passed away in 2003. Luckily the team supported son Peter and Julie through the evolution and growth that followed. Says Peter, “Players still drive all we do. They challenge us to get better. It’s an obsession for finding out what our players (at every level) need, and how we can make the game incredible for them.”
EST 1970
THE DARTS GEAR
you need
Level up your game
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