Today, Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet toured Never Summer Industries’ manufacturing facility as a part of his statewide innovation tour. Never Summer makes snowboards, skis, and longboards and is one of only a handful of snowboard companies that manufacture in the U.S. Never Summer was founded by Colorado brothers Tim and Tracey Canaday in 1993. On an average day the company produces nearly 250 snowboards, 75 skis, and 45 longboards and employs more than 70 people.
“In an industry where few companies actually manufacture here in the U.S., Never Summer has carved out a niche by carefully making their boards, by hand, right here in Colorado. That’s homegrown Colorado jobs,” Bennet said. “ We should keep advocating for policies that create an environment that allows firms like Never Summer to continue innovating, growing, creating jobs, and building our economy.”
Never Summer holds a patent – the first of its kind – on its revolutionary “Rocker Camber” snowboard design, which provides the perfect balance between stability and edge-hold for a more aggressive free-rider and a forgiving feel for freestyle or an entry-level snowboarder. Never Summer also holds a patent for the Vario Powergrip Sidecut which gives snowboards a more effective edge through aggressive turns and helps riders avoid “catching an edge”. Having production close to home has allowed Never Summer to control every aspect of the manufacturing process and allowed them to implement these unique innovations resulting in a premium, hand crafted product.
Bennet’s tour of Never Summer is one in a series of visits he is making throughout the state this week and next to highlight Colorado’s inventive and entrepreneurial spirit. Earlier this week, Bennet visited firms in Grand Junction, Loveland, and Fort Collins. Next week he’ll continue the tour in Colorado Springs. The tour is in advance of this summer’s opening of a U.S. Patent and Trademark satellite office in Denver, which will benefit Colorado’s innovation economy through an improved and more accessible patent process. Bennet coordinated the state’s effort to bring a satellite patent office to Colorado.