Business news : Ultimate Skateboard Distributors & Wick Winder Join Forces

Photo Mike Prangnell, SBC Business

Richmond, BC, Canada – Ultimate Skateboard Distributors Inc. and Wick Winder Distribution Ltd merge to form one of Canada’s largest action sports distributors. Ultimate Skateboard Distributors, established in 1985 by Bones Brigade Pro Kevin Harris has been leading force in the distribution of skateboard hardgoods in Canada.  Wick Winder Distribution, originally founded in 2001 by Brad Richmond and Sean Johnson has become a well-established distribution business with a strong focus on pre-booking streetwear, accessory and snow brands.

The merger will see both companies unite to form a single entity,  Ultimate Distribution. With warehouses on both the East and West Coast of Canada,  Ultimate Distribution will now grow it’s year-round offering bringing many of the industries leading brands to the Canadian marketplace.  “This is something the two companies have talked about for a long time,” says Ultimate Distribution owner Kevin Harris. “I own Ultimate and I have been a part-owner of Wick Winder since 2004, Brad and I have talked openly for years on the concept of merging the two companies and we both felt that the timing was right”.

With a combined sales force of over 30 independent and in-house staff selling to over 500 assorted retail accounts across Canada,  Ultimate Distribution is committed to bringing its customers the absolute best level of customer service.  “Both companies have always strived to provide a great level of service,” says business partner, Brad Richmond “By synergizing our business operations and sales staff together we fully intend to take things to the next level”.

Ultimate Distribution will continue to focus on building both it’s hard goods and pre-book business and both companies will be officially merging as of August 1 duties and have appointed Scott Murray Burrows, currently with Wick Winder, to handle joint-operations  moving forward,” says Harris on some of the staff changes.

More details will be announced over the coming weeks and months.

An interview with Kevin Harris and Brad Richmond to discuss the merger will be in the next issue of Canada’s SBC Business Magazine (Vol.16 Issue 2). 

About Ultimate Distribution

Ultimate Distribution was started in 1985 by Powell Peralta Pro Kevin Harris with the intention of bringing the best skateboarding brands into Canada.  Now, over 25 years later, Ultimate Distribution distributes some of the most recognized names in the industry, including Bones, Powell, Toy Machine, Black Label, Think, Hubba, Venture, Birdhouse, Sector Nine and Skull Skates to name just a few. Ultimate also started and operates Canada’s first skateboard publication, Concrete Magazine as well as the skateboard wheel brand Momentum.

About Wick Winder Distribution

Wick Winder Distribution originally founded in 2001 by Brad Richmond and Sean Johnson is a lifestyle and apparel distribution company located in Richmond, British Columbia.  Currently Wick Winder distributes Neff, Arbor, Vestal, Loser Machine Co, Dark Seas, Hex, Ashbury, Howl Gloves, Gnarly, Eswic, Sandbox Helmets and StepChild Snowboards.

By press release