Our Legacy

Our shot

legacy

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.”

Our TImeline
1970

John & Pat McCormick and their young family launch Puma Dart Products in our hometown of Katikati, New Zealand.

Our Puma Darts factory starts crafting coir paper dartboards – and the orders pile up.

Our TImeline
1976

Go, go gadget – our shiny new bit of kit, an automatic lathe – starts turning out precision darts

Our TImeline
1978

We outgrow our old factory and move into larger, purpose-built digs to keep up with production

Our TImeline
1980's

A big decade for bristles, both in moustaches and dartboards.

We start working on a top secret project – development, testing and prototyping.

Our TImeline
1991

The cat’s out of the bag – Puma Darts launches ‘The Bandit’, the world’s first bladed dartboard. Making bounce outs history (almost).

That same year, Puma Darts sponsors the New Zealand Women’s Team – all the way to a win – with our "state-of-the-art" darts!

Our TImeline
1997

Like father, like son – Peter joins dad John, and starts learning the ropes.

Another big milestone – we invest in ten Traub machines that are shipped all the way from the Soviet Union!

Our TImeline
1999

We proudly sponsor our first big international tournament – the WDF Darts World Cup in South Africa

Our TImeline
2003

And then follow up four years later in France. A sad year.

John, the captain of our team, passes on, and son Peter steps up to the Oche as our MD

Our TImeline
2009

And then follow up four years later in France. A sad year. John, the captain of our team, passes on, and son Peter steps up to the Oche as our MD

Our TImeline
2013

Nurturing the next generation – The Shot Young Guns Programme gets its start

Our TImeline
2016

We design and make a darts range that’s a collab with pro Michael van Gerwen, ACM Products and XQ Max Darts

Our TImeline
2017

The Shot brand gets an upgrade, and we celebrate by launching our epic Warrior and Tribal Weapon ranges

Our TImeline
2018

Our new pro duo, German darts aces Max Hopp and Martin Schindler sign with Shot Darts

Our TImeline
2019

With our high-tech titanium coating plant, Shot is the only manufacturer to make darts 100% in house

Our TImeline
2020

We celebrate our 50th Anniversary – still proudly designing, developing and making, right here.

Our TImeline
July 2023

We hit the bullseye! We are thrilled to announce the signing of world number one and reigning PDC World Champion Michael ‘Bully Boy’ Smith.

Our TImeline
1970

John & Pat McCormick and their young family launch Puma Dart Products in our hometown of Katikati, New Zealand.

Our Puma Darts factory starts crafting coir paper dartboards – and the orders pile up.

Our TImeline
1976

Go, go gadget – our shiny new bit of kit, an automatic lathe – starts turning out precision darts

Our TImeline
1978

We outgrow our old factory and move into larger, purpose-built digs to keep up with production

Our TImeline
1980's

A big decade for bristles, both in moustaches and dartboards.

We start working on a top secret project – development, testing and prototyping.

Our TImeline
1991

The cat’s out of the bag – Puma Darts launches ‘The Bandit’, the world’s first bladed dartboard. Making bounce outs history (almost).

That same year, Puma Darts sponsors the New Zealand Women’s Team – all the way to a win – with our "state-of-the-art" darts!

Our TImeline
1997

Like father, like son – Peter joins dad John, and starts learning the ropes.

Another big milestone – we invest in ten Traub machines that are shipped all the way from the Soviet Union!

Our TImeline
1999

We proudly sponsor our first big international tournament – the WDF Darts World Cup in South Africa

Our TImeline
2003

And then follow up four years later in France. A sad year.

John, the captain of our team, passes on, and son Peter steps up to the Oche as our MD

Our TImeline
2009

And then follow up four years later in France. A sad year. John, the captain of our team, passes on, and son Peter steps up to the Oche as our MD

Our TImeline
2013

Nurturing the next generation – The Shot Young Guns Programme gets its start

Our TImeline
2016

We design and make a darts range that’s a collab with pro Michael van Gerwen, ACM Products and XQ Max Darts

Our TImeline
2017

The Shot brand gets an upgrade, and we celebrate by launching our epic Warrior and Tribal Weapon ranges

Our TImeline
2018

Our new pro duo, German darts aces Max Hopp and Martin Schindler sign with Shot Darts

Our TImeline
2019

With our high-tech titanium coating plant, Shot is the only manufacturer to make darts 100% in house

Our TImeline
2020

We celebrate our 50th Anniversary – still proudly designing, developing and making, right here.

Our TImeline
July 2023

We celebrate our 50th Anniversary – still proudly designing, developing and making, right here.

2008
2008
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EST 1970

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