Launched in 1997, Landyachtz is the brainchild of Mike Perreten and Thomas Edstrand, longtime friends since elementary school who grew up skating the steep hills of the Northshore. The two were reunited while attending the University of Victoria, and it was there, amongst discussion of the latest longboards they were riding and how they could make a better product, that they formulated a plan for their future company.
Originally based in a 350-square-foot workshop rented from local brand Invasion Snowboards, Landyachtz continued to outgrow its space over the years. After taking over the entire 2,700-square-foot Invasion warehouse, the brand eventually made the move to what is now its 9,000-square-foot factory and office building in the heart of Vancouver, British Columbia. Because the building needed so much work, it had been deemed a “tear-down,” but Perreten and Edstrand had other plans. Instead of putting stress on the environment by demolishing and re-building it, the co-owners decided to renovate, and the newly remodeled building now serves as home for the company’s small staff, most of which live within skate distance.
The company prides itself on creating the most innovative and durable designs possible, according to Perreten. “Basically we make eco-friendly vehicles that promote an environmentally conscience lifestyle,” he says. “Better quality boards and equipment equals less broken gear being thrown out, which lessens our overall impact. Why buy a board that will break in a year when you can own one that will be with you forever?”
Transworld Business caught up with Perreten recently to discuss his goal to set Land Yachtz apart from the competition when it comes to protecting the environment.
What impact does your company have on the environment?
I hope our company has a positive impact on the environment. Of the more than thirty employees that work at Landyachtz we rarely have more than four people driving to work on any given day. Most of us skate or cycle to work. Basically, we promote an environmentally friendly culture where people are not reliant on automobiles and where the lines are blurred between recreation and transportation.
One of my favorite examples I use to promote our boards is explaining how after a long day of work I look often look forward to going out to buy lettuce or milk or whatever we might need for dinner because it’s just an excuse to get a nice little ride in. In densely populated cities like Vancouver or New York, a skateboard/longboard is often one of the best ways to get around - no car to park, no bike to lock up.
What, in your opinion, have been the biggest environmental developments in action sports over the last two years?
The surf industry’s continued focus on environmental awareness.
The surf industry’s continued focus on environmental awareness.
Do you think environmental ethics in manufacturing and business processes has moved forward or regressed during the recession?
I think they’ve moved forward. It seems that a lot of the bling bling culture and marketing before the recession promoted wastefulness and selfishness. After the recession things like super expensive gas guzzler vehicles declined in popularity whereas smarter, more thrifty vehicles became more ‘cool’.
I think they’ve moved forward. It seems that a lot of the bling bling culture and marketing before the recession promoted wastefulness and selfishness. After the recession things like super expensive gas guzzler vehicles declined in popularity whereas smarter, more thrifty vehicles became more ‘cool’.
What are the biggest reasons for the industry to push for more environmentally friendly products/processes?
From a business standpoint, environmentally friendlier products make sense because there is a demand for them.
A deeper reason for our industry to push for more environmentally conscience products/processes is because we have a real opportunity to set a positive trend. Although the action sports industry caters to a relatively small but very fortunate percentile of the earth’s population, a much larger percentile strives for our recreation based lifestyle. We have a real opportunity to set a good example and make a real difference.
Where do you think we are as an industry as far as actually walking the talk versus simply green washing ourselves to sell products?
I think the action sports industry is generally more environmentally aware than most industries because we cater to a demographic that can afford to make environmentally friendlier choices. Green washing happens and it’s lame.
I think the action sports industry is generally more environmentally aware than most industries because we cater to a demographic that can afford to make environmentally friendlier choices. Green washing happens and it’s lame.
What messages have been the most effective for you in marketing environmental products and initiatives?
Longboarding is an environmentally friendly thing to do whether you are using your board to get to work or for recreation. About five years ago we got an email from the Sierra Club of BC asking us if would be interested in donating a longboard to be raffled off with the proceeds going to their organization. We ended up making them a board with their logos on it and sending it off. They were super excited and used the board to promote how environmentally good decisions, like riding a longboard, can be fun. The best part of this whole experience was how the Sierra Club reached out and contacted us, this really made us feel like we are on the right track.
Longboarding is an environmentally friendly thing to do whether you are using your board to get to work or for recreation. About five years ago we got an email from the Sierra Club of BC asking us if would be interested in donating a longboard to be raffled off with the proceeds going to their organization. We ended up making them a board with their logos on it and sending it off. They were super excited and used the board to promote how environmentally good decisions, like riding a longboard, can be fun. The best part of this whole experience was how the Sierra Club reached out and contacted us, this really made us feel like we are on the right track.
How do you work with your business partners and customers (factories/retailers/manufacturers/consumers) to support the same message you’re working on?
We try to lead by example and stay true to our beliefs in building quality products that will stay out of landfills for as long as possible. Opting for quality over quantity is an excellent way to reduce one’s carbon footprint as better quality items should last longer.
We try to lead by example and stay true to our beliefs in building quality products that will stay out of landfills for as long as possible. Opting for quality over quantity is an excellent way to reduce one’s carbon footprint as better quality items should last longer.
What do you think is the single most important environmental issue facing the industry?
As an industry we need to make sure we support quality over quantity. Companies that care about their name and reputation will naturally do this.
As an industry we need to make sure we support quality over quantity. Companies that care about their name and reputation will naturally do this.
Do you think we can really succeed in making truly sustainable products?
For sure, I think we have to believe we can succeed if we decide that it is impossible to become sustainable than we might as well not even bother using garbage cans and just toss our trash out our car windows. Not a pretty picture. I just recently traded in my SUV for a Toyota hybrid, I know that it took a lot of energy to make my new hybrid but it is a step in the right direction. We can make sustainable products if we continue to embrace changes for the better and if we do that our situation will improve.
For sure, I think we have to believe we can succeed if we decide that it is impossible to become sustainable than we might as well not even bother using garbage cans and just toss our trash out our car windows. Not a pretty picture. I just recently traded in my SUV for a Toyota hybrid, I know that it took a lot of energy to make my new hybrid but it is a step in the right direction. We can make sustainable products if we continue to embrace changes for the better and if we do that our situation will improve.
No comments:
Post a Comment