Spitfire wheels logo wallpaper pro#
Spitfire wheels logo wallpaper series#

I think thatвЂ™s another reason why our wheels sell so well вЂ“ theyвЂ™re designed by skaters, not some businessmen in suits.вЂќ He says, вЂI was riding this wheel, and it was kind of sliding out, so I want to try to make a square wheel.вЂ™ WeвЂ™re always taking input from the team guys and trying to do whatever they want to do. Spitfire also makes PointechвЂ™s staff and facilities available for team members who have very specific ideas of what they want to ride: вЂњCardiel does it all the time. The other 21 wheels in the line, however, are the result of the constant feedback and testing from the team.

Spitfire wheels logo wallpaper pro#

Ruben believes that having fewer pro-model wheels adds to the prestige of the Spitfire pro series. ThatвЂ™s how we always do it, because thatвЂ™s what itвЂ™s all about вЂ“ thatвЂ™s why itвЂ™s a pro wheel.вЂќ вЂњThey came down to the warehouse and looked at all the different wheels that they liked and sketchedtuff out,вЂќ says Ruben.

Spitfire wheels logo wallpaper series#

Each wheel will have three series released in the next several months before another two pros are selected. In fact, Spitfire offers only two at a time, the current pro wheels being the Bob Burnquist (54mm, 57mm, 63mm), and the Scott Johnson (51mm 53mm, 56mm). Spitfire also offers a range of shapes, including its original Classicwheel.Дespite the tendency to attach a pro endorsement to every type of product, Deluxe has managed to build the Spitfire line without resorting to the usual slew of pro-model wheels. In its vast line of 23 wheel models, each of which come in at least three and as many as eight sizes, Ruben says that he tries to address every need, from big and soft to small and hard. WeвЂ™re always many steps ahead of everyone. вЂњEven if people try to match our wheels, by that time our wheels are gonna be that much better. вЂњWeвЂ™re always experimenting with new techniques of mixing the formulas and different additives to see what would happen,вЂќ he says. Also in San Francisco, Pointech manufactures Spitfire exclusively, and Ruben says that this arrangement allows Spitfire to protect its formulas and constantly test new ones. One technical edge that Spitfire certainly does have over some of its competition is its own wheel factory. Look at every mag вЂ“ every other photoвЂ™s a guy with a big Spitfire sticker on his board. Everyone rides the wheels, but itвЂ™s our team guys who really come through and promote.

Guys with pro wheels on other brands call us up. вЂњWe give wheels to all kinds of guys вЂ“ youвЂ™d be surprised. вЂњThe main thing is the urethane,вЂќ he says. He seems utterly convinced not only of SpitfireвЂ™s market dominance, but of his teamвЂ™s and productsвЂ™ superiority.

Ruben isnвЂ™t one to bring up business in a casual conversation, but when asked about his work, his eyes light up and his face fans out into a smile. вЂњWe were always making as many wheels as we could, but we couldnвЂ™t keep up with sales,вЂќ he says. In 1997 the company doubled its production capabilities to handle the constant log of back orders and other special manufacturing. In the four years that heвЂ™s been there, SpitfireвЂ™s line has grown from about 30 wheels to over 100, and according to Deluxe President Jeff Klindt, total wheel sales have also grown about 1,000 percent. So weвЂ™ve pretty much just stayed straight on the game, as far as that goes.вЂќ When he joined the Deluxe family, he says he saw no need to change the direction of what was already a very established and successful brand: вЂњSpitfireвЂ™s always been from the ground up just gnarly skateboarding wheels вЂ“ weвЂ™re not really trying to portray an image other than just gnarly skateboarding. With the help of friends Tommy Guerrero and Jim Thiebaud at Deluxe, he learned the urethane trade and the particulars of managing a company. Spitfire was established in 1988, and in 1994 Ruben inherited what he describes as his dream job when Steve Ruggi left the company. Married and at the helm of skateboardingвЂ™s most popular wheel company, you might think that Ruben has it made. His energy is infectious, and at a session, heвЂ™s the perfect companion вЂ“ he skates anything, he skates like mad, and if you pull something, his is the first hand to pat your back. But when prompted, heвЂ™s talkative and engaging, his speech sporadically interrupted by compulsive laughter.

ThatвЂ™s because the affable 29-year-old team and production manager for the Spitfire wheel brand comes across as an easy-going, laid-back skater. If you ever have a chance to meet him, you might not detect the motivation and determination he embodies вЂ“ characteristics that have won Spitfire the lionвЂ™s share of the wheel market, and characteristics that quite literally keep him alive. Ruben Orkin is winning, and heвЂ™s not about to give up.