Hey Click on the link below to check out “OPEN SPACE” a film about the life of Mike Basich

http://www.241-usa.com

The show will take place on First Thursday, December 3rd 2009, at The Electric Coffin Studio from 6-10pm. 212 Alaskan Way S, Seattle, WA 98104.

Duffy
www.electriccoffin.com
thepurplerazors.blogspot.com

Mt. Baker with nearly a 100” base… we believe, so will you

Mt. Shuksan with two fresh bananas in the foreground

Road shot to beat the crowds

Astronaut and Mervin shipping mgr Dave Mounts with a hand drag

Our Spacecraft for the day : Go make it happen ::

Spacecraft’s Canadian distributor :: Ultimate Distribution’s Kelly Jablonski talks about the state of the industry.

retailcommon - How did you get started in the business?

Back in about 1989 when I was in grade 11 I starting working for Kevin Harris at both The Richmond Skate Ranch and The Boarding House retail store. After high school I ended up managing the park and the retail store for a short time until its closure in 1992. Soon after I was offered a job at Ultimate which Kevin also owned. 16 years later its hard to believe I still get to work for both a company and culture that I truly enjoy.

retailcommon - Tell us about your company. (Who are you & what do you represent?)

Ultimate Skateboard Distributors is currently in its 24^th year of business representing and distributing various skateboard brands and related companies. Ultimate has always focused on core brands and has concentrated on the hard goods aspect of skateboarding with a huge belief in putting back into the industry and the culture in Canada thru the creation of Canada’s first Skateboard magazine. We also do as much as we can to help support the up and coming batch off Canadian am’s. We also try to support the Canadian retailers as much as possible for playing such an important role in keeping the scene alive across such a vast country.

retailcommon - Who or what inspires you?

Inspiration can be found in the most surprising ways. Charity work and seeing the affect we can have on those less fortunate or suffering from many different things really inspires me. Inspiration and opportunity is there in so many forms, most people just choose to overlook it as it is dressed in overall and looks like work!

Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work. - Thomas Alva Edison

retailcommon - How is business? Did the economy smack you around this year? How are you feeling going into next season?

This last year has been a lesson on how to run a lean business with focus on overhead and cash flow and finding unique ways to protect our margin with such a fluctuating dollar exchange. The biggest road black we had to deal with this past year was the huge dollar exchange that happened towards the end of 2008 and beginning of 2009. It really created a situation for about 3 to 6 months that saw our gross margin nearly vanish. This is difficult as the overhead and the expense to operate a successful business continues to climb. Sales overall have been decent this year, luckily we are a distributor that sees the majority of sales come from at once orders. Prebook seasonal business has been affected much more, so I think we have a bit of an advantage with such a hardgoods at once focused. If a store sells 10 boards this week they need 10 more for next week. That’s where we come in. This winter I think retail is still going to have a tough time but going into spring of 2010 as long as we don’t have any dollar exchange surprises I think distribution should be pretty stable.

retailcommon - Which trade shows can we expect to see you at?

We usually partake in Know?Show but in 2010 not sure yet what direction we will take with tradeshows. I do believe tradeshows have a place but there may be some new unique ways to interact with our customers that need to be explored.

retailcommon - How does your company stay in contact with suppliers/buyers?

Ultimate has a strong focus on direct human connections with both suppliers and buyers. Online ordering has its place but nothing will ever replace the importance of a phone conversation to catch up with either a supplier or retailer. Of course email is still a great way to quickly connect and communicate. Many of Ultimate’s employees are really involved in the grass roots of skateboarding as well so it’s not like at 4:30, the day ends. I am currently writing this in a hotel in Irvine as I sit on the IASC (international association of skateboard companies) board of director where I get to meet and interact with some of the industries biggest players (George Powell, Frank Messmann, Don Brown, Tod Swank, Per Welinder, Steve Van Doren, Bob Denike, Bod Boyle, Jamey Stone etc). The goal is to help bring our industry together to work towards a common goal of increasing the success of our industry and the participation of those who skateboard. It also is a great way to extend our relationships deep within the industry.

retailcommon - How do you market your business? Are you involved in online social networking? If so, what community groups do you belong too?

Most of the brands we carry are pretty selective to the retailers we deal with so really its more a matter of keeping connected with the dealers we currently sell to. A few brands such as Spacecraft have a bit different retail base but overall we have our customer base pretty nailed down. Also the reps we work with are really another great tool to make sure each brand is in the proper retail store. We do some facebook stuff and minimal online stuff other then our own website and blog to keep the retailers up to date with any news regarding the brands we represent.

retailcommon - Does your company have an online presence? If so, what’s your web address?

www.ultimateskateboarddist.com www.concreteskateboarding.com

retailcommon - Does your site have ecommerce capability? If so, tell us what it’s like running an ecommerce site.

Ecommerce is something we are just starting to look at. I think it’s coming but at the distribution level I think we still have some time to make sure its done properly to make sure the human connection to our retailers is not lost. Ecommerce I think has to focus on what is the most convenient for our buyers, not what’s convenient for us as I still believe personal communication is still one of the most affective ways to maintain relationships with buyers.

retailcommon - What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned in business?

These past few years the thing I have learned most is always be ready to change. Brands, retailers, staff etc are ever changing and you have to be ready to adjust your business accordingly. It’s kind of like that book, “Who Moved my Cheese”. If you do not change you become extinct!

Special Thanks to Kelly Jablonski for the interview!

Spacecraft presents a one afternoon only SPACECRAP sample sale :: Friday, Dec 4^th from 3pm to 8pm.

At the Spacecraft headquarters :: 227 9^th Ave N | Seattle, WA. 98026 || Across from Jones Soda

Get your stocking stuffers and Spacecraft gems… then go support your local Spacecraft dealer :: Details below

Spacecraft sends Jay Naylor over to instill peace and seek out surf locations.

Mother Nature has decided that El Niño will produce insane amounts of snow in the NW an left a blanket of snow on Stevens Pass that was good enough for a November 19^th opening with about 50” of the fluffy stuff.

There was work to be done, and this days work was catching up with old friends and shredding POWDER. An all staff riding day was called and we did just that…

Highlights:

Meeting up with the Mini Winni crew of Pat McCarthy, Jeremy Dubbs, Dylan Hart and Nick Ennen in the RV lot with powder eating grins.

The mad rush for fresh tracks with the Pow Gloves crew of former Spacecrafter Maxx von Marbod, with fellow hooky players Kaiser and Jeff

Seeing the stoke on Cali transplant Kyle Kennedy from Snowboarder Mag… and seeing the turmoil of him having to write up another killer opening day story and submit it to Bridges and E-tree

POWDER RUN, after powder run

Riding with the famed Skunk Apes, (Eric Brandt and Billy Summers) down fresh lines

Getting freshies with the whole staff and calling it work :

HUGE THANKS TO THE STAFF AND LOCALS AT STEVENS PASS : Go there… and stay on the groomers please.

Jeremy Dubbs and Pat McCarthy : in the Mini Winni

Kyle Kennedy and Maxx von Marbod… just after their first run

Spacecraft designer, Colby Smith and long time Northwaver Dez

Spacecraft co-founder: Stefan Hofmann with old friends Billy Summers and Eric Brandt

Colby : Bar time

Aaron “mango” Manganaro

Kevin O’Brien : Spacecraft sales Samurai

Colby, prepping for a lip smack

The red dot is Billy Summers setting up to drop in a Stevens Pass low tide shoot

Eric Brandt Kung Fu style with 30lbs of extra snow on his shred stick

Get some : Make it happen

Spacecraft will be hosting a PARTY at Havana in Seattle to celebrate all the recent snow and together with Sno Con and Vita Coffee, raise funds for TSB.

Come join Spacecraft Wed night for drinks, prizes and the famous PLWP Photo booth.

The Windells Shredcasts’ 2nd episode! Featuring Pat Milbery and Nick Visconti, this episode has some creative snowboarding with the Windells Dream Features. Stay tuned for the re-releasing of all the session videos, and next weeks Shredcast with Chaz Guldemond and Jonas Carlson. To download the videos, Subscribe to “The Shredcast” on iTunes and tune in to all the upcoming episodes.

The Windells Shredcast; EP2; Pat Milbery & Nick Visconti from Windells on Vimeo.

Thoughts Behind the Wheel

Hello All,

Thank you to everyone who came out to our last show, The Purple Razors Friends and Family Art Show, it was a huge success! We had over sixteen artists hung in the space, had the most crowded studio in the building, and even tapped the keg. For those of you who missed it click here for photos. To see the gallery minus the people click here.

For December we are proud to announce a solo exhibition by fellow Purple Razor and Electric Coffin founder, Lem Bartley. Originating from New Mexico, and graduating with a BFA in Painting from Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design, Lem Bartley has very distiungished style developed from a multitude of inspirations. A style that one cannot deny, so come join us as Lem gives us a glimpse of what is really going on inside his head with “Thoughts Behind the Wheel“.

The show will take place on First Thursday, December 3rd 2009, at The Electric Coffin Studio from 6-10pm. 212 Alaskan Way S, Seattle, WA 98104.

Duffy
www.electriccoffin.com
thepurplerazors.blogspot.com

Spacecraft Astronaut “Pat Milbery” is making moves.

Check them out:

http://www.bnqt.com/blogs/detail/Pro-Files-Pat-Milbery/5062.html

It was called… Spacecraft all staff snow day.

Stevens Pass opening day. Like a school closure back in 5^th grade for snow. It was on and the NW core met with smiles turning into powder coated grins that lasted all day.

Check out some photos at the link below:

http://fresh.snowboardermag.com/photos/stevens-pass-opening-day-photos/?pid=1800

Kelsey Brookes @ Quint Contemporary Art from Zack Nielsen on Vimeo.

Strawberry Swing from Matt Clark on Vimeo.

The MIGHTY MIDWEST SNOWBOARD CAMP TOUR will be heading into its 4th year of existence.

-2 day camp—9am - 4pm and a session for the kids on the second afternoon from 1:30-4 called the Progression session, where we give out awards in a non-traditional manner

-The awards are focused on individual achievement and not just 1st, 2nd and 3rd placing

-We award for Style, Creativity, Consistency, Difficulty, Effort, Technicality, Best (so-gnar) Crash, Best Ripper, and Future rockstar of the session

-We then get them fully hooked up with product from sponsors and see big smiles from the kids and parents!
-Which also has worked very well for the parents to feel they have received a quality coaching experience and a lot of prizes to help on their return of investment in their children’s camp experience

Check out this link below for tour dates and all the info:
http://my.so-gnar.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=46:mighty-midwest-snowboard-tour&Itemid=96

SIGN UP WITH YOUR LOCAL RESORT BEFORE THE SPOTS FILL UP !!!!

Mighty Midwest

Opening day at baker this year was so epic that it’s rumored to be one of the best opening days ever.

To read more of how it all went down, click the link below to check out the article by Blair Habenicht:

http://espn.go.com/action/snowboarding/news/story?id=4659826

Opening day at Baker 2009 photo by: Blair Habenicht

Snowboarders Joe Bosler, Austin Hironaka, Austin Sweetin, Megan Ginter, Andy Bergin-Sperry and friends hit up some early season snow at Stevens Pass.

For all of you that missed opening day at Baker… oh man, it looked
like a good one.

Astronaut’s John Laing, Jake Blauvelt, Jesse Burtner, Pat McCarthy and
pretty much the entire shred community painted powder turns on 62+ inches
and some even made it to see the Pixies that night. I’ll bet work was Zombie
like the following day, with a dirty little smile to all onlookers.

I was unable to make it but was lucky enough to hear all the details from
the 100+ people I know that did go…

Lucky me… I made it up on Saturday for redemption, and though it was not
opening day, it was Baker with over a 65″ base.

Check out the link below from Snowboarder Mag’s Cali transplant Kyle

Kennedy, honorary NW shredder.

To check out more pictures of opening day at Mt. Baker click the link below:
http://fresh.snowboardermag.com/photos/mt-baker-2009-opening-day?pid=1591

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PH6xCT2aTSo   watch me

Oh sweet Mexico…

Spacecraft’s marketing samurai Jonathan Wavis oka: Ryan Davis made the trip down to Mexico for a friends wedding and to catch some warm water waves.

Sporting a Washington tan and an office body, Wavis stayed cool in the hot sun by chillin out in the water, exploring the coast and taking care of some R&R.

You can’t beat a  Mexican sunset with my new discovery of Sangarita and top shelf tequila after some warm water waves…

Ok… back to reality… cold and rainy here in Seattle… that does mean snow in the hills, which there is… a 64” base opening at Baker today.

If you are not chasing your dreams… what the Ef are you doing??? Make it happen ||

Sunset in front of the Brisas Del Mar

Washington tan… snowboard style…

Milker

Take me back…

Canadian barrel…

More sunset action

Guess how many drinks and bug bites I have under my belt…?

Spacecraft Astronaut Scott Sullivan will be strumming his guitar at a Port Angeles coffee house, (Blackbird). If you find yourself on the Olympic Peninsula, go check it out.

Scott also loves to surf, shoots amazing photos, has a wonderful family, grows a mean mustache and catches more waves than you.

Husky Snowboard Team Presents The B Movie.

Thursday, November 19th at 7:30pm

In room EEB 125 at the UW campus

This is a Movie of epic proportions!

There will also be a rad raffle with some pretty awesome prizes.

So be there, Join, and have a blast!

Spacecraft CSR ninja Aaron Ross Manganaro just finished up with “Glamour Shots”. Here is the outcome.

Aaron also plays guitar, sings karaoke, loves dried mangoes, does not like Lil Wayne, used to wear girl jeans and Devours a mean bottle of Kombucha daily.

Aaron Ross Manganaro

This is a graphic that Spacecraft made and our good friend Reed at Ink Monster turned into a huge decal to cover virtually and board.

Court seen here in the photo sent us an e-mail because he heard lore of a magic graphic with rainbows, flying horses and walkers in unity…

If we get enough requests, maybe we’ll produce this thing for mass consumption… or do a small limited run. Only you can dictate the future.

Make it happen ::

A road trip up the 101 in Northern Cali revealed sightings of Spacecraft frontiers.