In the late 1990s, competition had increased. Jepanese manufacturers, with low-priced spare parts, had successfully entered the field. Other companies had appeared with lower-quality machines. There was little doubt that future competition would be more intense.
The steel ring manufactured by PWI had normal life of about two months, depending upon the extent to which the machine was used. A worn-out ring could be replaced in a few seconds, and although different models of the machines required from two to six rings, the rings were usually replaced individually as they wore out