Integrity/Mutiny 2011

thatwasrad · Posted: Jul 03, 2011 3:38 pm Post subject:

Last year The Liquid Playground got a prototype 39tnt in, we loved it, ordered more, and a week or two later they were stocked in the shop. That was around february when we did our nor cal freeze ride. So I can't hate on what Erich is doing up there.

winch4fun · Posted: Jul 03, 2011 4:49 pm Post subject:

G.K.D. · Frontside 180 Joined: 31 Dec 2009 Posts: 404 City: Sydney

Maybe they should of had a "team day". Where instead of going filming/ridding, they all went into the factory and helped Erich & Derek make, pack, post boards & email customers Smile

.

The poor guys must have been working flat out for the last couple of months trying to catch-up on pre-orders & at the same time getting inundated with emails from anxious customers & ongoing orders.

much respect guys!!

likwidfolife · Pop Shuvit Joined: 30 Apr 2009 Posts: 228 City: DFW

Yeah I understand that Erich handcrafts these boards and it takes special technique and craftsmanship.

Not sure who he has helping him with these things but it seems like he needs he needs a few more hands on his production line to meet the ever so growing demand for his boards.

Don't get me wrong, what he is doing is great. I am just way to eager to get a new shred stick.

Jake S · Backside 180 Joined: 29 Dec 2010 Posts: 683 City: SLC

yeah a monopoly... ?

Sagittorious · Posted: Jul 05, 2011 5:16 pm Post subject:

I suck at monopoly I always end up in jail... and half the time I just end up quitting before the games over.

Slapdown · Kickflip Joined: 20 Apr 2005 Posts: 4240 City: Austin

winch4fun, Not to be rude, but do you understand what a monopoly is? And if you do, how the hell does that come even close to relating to Integrity?

mojo · Posted: Jul 05, 2011 5:59 pm Post subject:

Pressing boards for phalanx and company slowed them down I'm sure. Company is out unfortunately bc of liquid force(Tony Finn) and motion water sports so no more pressing those. The wait is ok bc the stuff is made here and with passion and is top notch, but forcing loyal customers to wait the whole summer kind of sucks. I really was interested in the j. Norman model. I'd suggest starting pre orders in September or so so he can buy materials, get them in the factory, and ship out for the coming summer on time.

winch4fun · Posted: Jul 05, 2011 6:26 pm Post subject:

Slapdown, yes i understand what a monopoly is, and i didnt say they are. i said there not quite yet but getting there. my reason for that statement is because the majority of wakeskaters ride an integrity board, and almost all new comers to wakeskating have heard of integrity and how bada55 they are, and want to find out what this cool contraption is. its that simple. i mean nothing else in it.

This is what is said best and this can sum up my long post above..

senorbueno · Backside 180 Joined: 28 Sep 2004 Posts: 1593

Schmaltz · Backside 180 Joined: 16 Sep 2003 Posts: 721 City: San Jose

I need to address this...
... i think some good will come from being up front and honest here.

First off... some of you with your wild speculation and your omnipotent business advice/solutions don't even know what your talking about!
... or how hard it really is!

I don't have investors or bank loans...
All I have is sweat equity...
a love for the sport...
that's my foundation... that's my REASON!

If i had a ton of money and threw cash at every problem I'd be so far in debt that i would intimately fail. Not only that I'd be flamed for "Selling out"... or being some big company now.

there isn't much if any of money in wakeskates!
How many companies have tried?
how many have failed?
I've been here supporting the wakeskate community longer then any other company or individual... and I'm still here supporting it when all the others have left or all the new come aboard.
i learned my lessons the HARD WAY and I'm not making the same mistakes... So sorry if that doesn't jive with some of you... or how i should run my company.

Name one company who hasn't ever had production problems?
You can't!

Would you rather have poor quality mass production made over seas?
... or a guy like me building bomb proof goods 15 at a time... sure it take time and some aren't willing to wait ... that's fine with me I'm not forcing anyone or even advertising it... why ? honestly because i can't fill the demand I'm trying my best to build my company up to do things faster and better. Ultimately I'll get there were i wont need to wear every hat imaginable... and when i can afford to... i will hire employees.

This year we had several things cause us a 4 month delay. I'm dependent on lots of suppliers and material manufactures. The war causes shortages in glass fibers, woods, you name it. The price of oil causes increases in certain materials costs and shipping. The bad economy causes some suppliers to cut the number of days they work and employees so there becomes a shortage that sometimes takes 4-5 months of planning to get at an increased cost.

This year the demise of Company Wake almost put me out of business. I had purchased items and materials in advance with Integrity money so they would be set for the 2011 season... there problems quickly became mine. I won't go into details but... Tony Finn as you say MOJO didn't cause company wake to go out of business. The binding issue wasn't what put them out of business, but it was the straw that broke that camels back. Justin is a great guy and his passion was very refreshing and contagious... It was an honor for me to CAD/CAM / design and build Randy Harris's board and Nicola Butlers. There was most certainly a huge loss to what wakeboarding could have achieved with them gone.
All of this friction put me in a bad spot and all of the combined issues i have listed above ='s me being late into the season.

Thankfully Phalanx Wake approached me and with them coming into my factory that affords me the ability to keep making wakeskates. With wakeboard production i can keep the lights on in the factory... other wise it's going back to acupuncture school and give up the dream.

I'm in it for the long haul... and have stayed true 24 years strong.

If it wasn't for my team and their belief in Integrity it most certainly would have failed by now. Everyone who rides for Integ does so expecting absolutely nothing but a board... none of them get paid they are with me on their own accord and love. MONEY has nothing to do with it! and it's that monetary sacrifice that helps keep it alive and pure. One day when it can be done they will be paid well and they would have truly earned it.

and if it wasn't for the customers who support it all... and believes in what were doing... quality over quantity... solid built boards... we definitely wouldn't have made it out the first 6 months.

thanks for reading,
erich

DaeDae · Posted: Jul 05, 2011 10:14 pm Post subject:

ive been waitin for awhile now, and yea it sucks, but ive said it multiple times before and ill say it again its cool cause i know that when i do get my board its gonna be a great product and its gonna last, im excited to see what integrity/mutiny puts out in the years to come

G.K.D. · Frontside 180 Joined: 31 Dec 2009 Posts: 404 City: Sydney

Schmaltz, hope you didn't take my comment......

Schmaltz · Backside 180 Joined: 16 Sep 2003 Posts: 721 City: San Jose

i didn't...

i actually like that idea

dirtyohioriver22 · Backside 180 Joined: 13 Mar 2006 Posts: 1705 City: cincy

Erich 4 life!!! dedication to stay with such a hard industry for 24 years,

4 months! holy shnikey didnt know yall were waiting that long damn, get depreciation reimbursement or something

poopiepantz · Pop Shuvit Joined: 05 Aug 2009 Posts: 122 City: of Roses

I have been in the same situation as Erich and believe me it is a frustrating and helpless feeling. This is the time for everyone who has "claimed" Integrity and bought in to the philosophy of the company to step up and stand behind it in a time of adversity. Believe me wakeskating is better with integrity here. So stand strong and support the sport that you, me, and everyone involved with integrity love. I guarantee the boards are worth the wait!

Ps. My buddy just ollied my integ into the butt end of a rail and guess what? that rail broke and I'm still riding my board. "Bomb proof" is no lie.

mojo · Posted: Jul 08, 2011 10:41 am Post subject:

My friend owns a fiberglass Production company right here in alabama. I can guarantee he'd be a reliable supplier. Just FYI: loans or venture Capital are used in small businesses, and large ones for a reason. We appreciate all you've done and continue to do.

likwidfolife · Pop Shuvit Joined: 30 Apr 2009 Posts: 228 City: DFW

Check out the latest facebook uploads on the integrity facebook page. These boards truly are a work of art, what Erich is doing with these things is amazing.

Im glad I ordered my board, the wait is definitely worth it. These boards are worth every bit of how much they cost.

I know when i get mine it will be a day of glory, like christmas in the middle of the summer.

Hats off to Erich Schmaltz, we know your working hard on these things. I know some of us come off as impatient and demanding, but ultimately we all know when we get our boards all the anticipation will be worth it.

Integrity has done alot for the wakeskate scene, I hope you guys don't go anywhere anytime soon. Much love and mad props

Larsen · Ollie Joined: 04 Jun 2007 Posts: 75 City: Hannover/Germany

likwidfolife, very well said!

it's been quite a while since i pre-ordered my board and patience left me every now and then and i got a little frustrated. but now i'm just excited as a little boy waiting for christmas morning, to finally unwrap his presents. Very Happy

so let me join in and say: THX Integrity and thank you, Erich Schmaltz for these awesome toys you're making!

Larsen · Ollie Joined: 04 Jun 2007 Posts: 75 City: Hannover/Germany

for all you none-facebookers...