Press Release:
i.e. distribution to Continue the Legacy of the Original Professional Skateboard Brand, Makaha
COSTA MESA, CALIFORNIA – (September 30, 2011) i.e. distribution announces they have reached a multi-year license agreement to produce products in the skateboard category with the iconic skateboard brand, Makaha.
i.e. distribution is set to launch their initial offering along side the Makaha documentary “Makaha, The Story of the Originator”, in Spring of 2012 with a small early offering slotted for Holiday 2011. Their initial line of longboard and cruiser skateboards will continue in the Makaha brand’s current distribution of independent skateboard and select mid-tier retailers.
John Dickinson, i.e. distribution President, “We’re pleased to be working with the Makaha people. While planning our growth in the longboard and cruiser category we felt it best to work with a brand that has roots in the culture. We feel that no other brand better accomplishes that but the original professional skateboard brand, Makaha.”
“We are very happy to bring the legendary MAKAHA brand to i.e. distribution for production and distribution of an all new skateboard line,” said Curt Stevenson, son of founder Larry Stevenson.
“Because of our history and their understanding of and dominant position in the market, we believe i.e. distribution is the perfect company to take MAKAHA back to the marketplace as the most original and classic skate icon in existence.”
About i.e. distribution/World Industries
i.e. distribution was founded in 2004 by John Dickinson, with the idea of creating a multi category distribution house. i.e. distribution got its start by obtaining the U.S. footwear license of the skateboard brand, World Industries. In 2007 i.e. distribution acquired the worldwide rights of the World Industries brand.
Now it is the owner of World Industries and is a direct seller of footwear, skateboards and snowboards as well as a licensor of the World brand globally. The company also holds licenses in: apparel, accessories, watersports, mobile content, and toys. In addition products are sold directly to action sports retailers through distributors worldwide.
About Makaha
Makaha was founded by Venice Beach lifeguard and Skateboard Hall of Fame Member Larry Stevenson in 1963. Larry took the look and style of surfing to make the first modern day skateboard with all pro components, calling it the “SURF SKATE.” Making the boards by hand in his garage in Santa Monica he soon had the top surfers riding Makaha boards. Mike Hynson, Phil Edwards, John Peck, Mike Doyle, Dave Rochlen Jr., Mike Purpus and L.J. Richards all rode Makaha.
Larry put together the first skateboard exhibition team in 1963 with Skateboard Hall of Fame Member Bruce Logan, Woody Woodward, Danny Bearer, Scott Archer, Gregg Carroll, John Fries, Joey Saenz, George Trafton Jr, and Squeek Blank. Larry’s second-generation Makaha team of Ty Page, Bruce Logan, Rusty Henderson, Mike Purpus and yet another Skateboard Hall of Fame Member Torger Johnson was put together to promote the inventions that changed skateboarding forever, the kicktail and double kicktail boards.
