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March, 2024

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I need info about the ski industry (ski manufacturing)

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HiroProtagonist
Posts: 304 - Karma: 11
I have to research a job for school.

I need info about how much I would make owning and operating a small private ski company for a living.

I need rough estimates of overhead, materials, and profit.

If anyone is in the industry and can give me some numbers or other info that would be fantastic (feel free to pm me with info if you dont want to tell the world by posting below.)

Also, I'm not just combining skiing with school because I have nothing better to do... I actually do want to do this for a living.
Jan 27 2008 3:58AM
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pbandj
Posts: 5610 - Karma: 28
how small are you talking, small like line, or small like surface, because seriously compared to companies like k2 o salomon or atomic our core companies like line or armada, despite their presence in our community are still very very small comparatively
Jan 27 2008 4:20AM
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HiroProtagonist
Posts: 304 - Karma: 11
Small like Line at the beginning. Build up from there, and maybe get bought by K2 in 10 or so years. haha.


I dont really know about surface at all. Can you enlighten me/give me a dossier?
Jan 27 2008 4:24AM
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HiroProtagonist
Posts: 304 - Karma: 11
...Mainly high quality innovative skis and boards. Made in the USA... no overseas made in China cap construction crap.
Jan 27 2008 4:27AM
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pbandj
Posts: 5610 - Karma: 28
surface only has 3 different models, you won't be able to find em in a shop on the east coast, gotta go through jibij or something similar,  pretty good marketing scheme though, you'll catch some of their riders wearing holden and tight pants, but hey that's how they roll, http://www.surfaceskis.com they are by no means a multi million dollar company, but their shit is pretty sick, try PMing snowninja, it's jason levinthal (founder of line) he might be able to give you some answers, really nice dude
Jan 27 2008 4:45AM
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HiroProtagonist
Posts: 304 - Karma: 11
bump!

I need info!

if you guys give me enough info... i will give you a present!
Jan 27 2008 8:10PM
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HiroProtagonist
Posts: 304 - Karma: 11
bump!
Jan 28 2008 12:21AM
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SirFryanator
Posts: 11149 - Karma: 1,415
http://skibuilders.com/

I learned everything there is to know about ski building from there. Talk to iggyskier on here, too. PM some of the smaller companies too on here. I also suggest emailing Surface skis. They seem like they would be able to answer questions.
Jan 28 2008 12:23AM
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HiroProtagonist
Posts: 304 - Karma: 11
Thanks for the tips. I have been a member at skibuilders for about a year. Suuuuch a great site.
Jan 28 2008 1:54AM
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HiroProtagonist
Posts: 304 - Karma: 11
bumbling bastard! you just bumped into me!!!!
Jan 28 2008 6:01PM
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HiroProtagonist
Posts: 304 - Karma: 11
This is the "its due tomorrow!" bump.


Jan 29 2008 2:41AM
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[tightpants]
Posts: 1529 - Karma: 17
Ummm try to get ahold of someone at 4FRNT maybe... I know one of the owner's younger sister and she talked to him and he was really cool and got me some shit signed by Matt Sterbenz. I would go to every small skiing company's website and send them an email tonight if you haven't already done something like that. You might be surprised at how willing people are to bend over backwards for you when youre a skier and you have a genuine interest in their company.
Jan 29 2008 2:46AM
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jedi.Jim
Posts: 1133 - Karma: 13
I don't have any information for you, but I am thinking about the same career. Is this project for high school or college?
Jan 29 2008 12:05PM
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HiroProtagonist
Posts: 304 - Karma: 11
This was a project for high school. I'm a senior though.... So I am getting to the point where I really need to know about it.

As an aside, it was due today. However today was a snow day. We *never* have snow days here..... let alone snow....

So. instead of turning my project int, I went outside and built a drop in to 2x4 rail. Hahaha... it was sick.

Anyway... I DO still want to know as much as possible. Expect to see this bumped quite a few more times.


-Cheers
Jan 29 2008 11:43PM
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jedi.Jim
Posts: 1133 - Karma: 13
After surfing around SkiBuilders.com I've found that it's about $100 in materials for a pair of skis. A pneumatic press will run about $1500, including the compressor, after you make the molds. After that, it's all the hours that you will put in to making the skis. Are you thinking of making this an exclusive company (just you, therefore needing only one press), or going big with multiple presses running at the same time?
Jan 30 2008 12:02PM
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HiroProtagonist
Posts: 304 - Karma: 11
I know more or less what it will cost. I have a vacuum bad system and access to my dad's full shop. I'd like to start out with one or two pairs for myself by the end of this season. Over the summer I'd work up to maybe 10 pairs by the start of next season. I'd use those initial 10 or so pairs as  testing... see what people like/dislike. Then have a full (but small) line for the next season.
Jan 31 2008 2:57AM
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jedi.Jim
Posts: 1133 - Karma: 13
Haha, interesting. I have the exact same plan...
Jan 31 2008 8:04PM
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ValPow
Posts: 1049 - Karma: 10
your best off speaking to people in the industry and finding info yourself, half the answers you'll get on ns will be made by people who havent the foggiest
Jan 31 2008 11:24PM
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HiroProtagonist
Posts: 304 - Karma: 11
Yeah... Still... any little bit of info helps. And there are some people on here that know their shit. Heres to hoping they talk to me. haha.

Anyone from the industry can (and should) PM me. haha

Feb 1 2008 4:47AM
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