However, there were a number of risks that Gore Inc. faced at the beginning of the 1990s:
· Will Gore-Tex continue to live up to its quality standards?
· Will suppliers shift to Bme tooC suppliers once the Gore-Tex patents expire?
· Will waterproofing remain the critical customer need? Or will new materials with new functional
benefits displace Gore-Tex as the leading technical fabric? All of these risks are potential company killers.
However, Gore Inc. was not complacent, pursuing mitigation strategies to protect their leadership position
over time.