aWh is a full line stocking distributor of skateboard equipment for those dealers who are interested in servicing the beginning to the serious skateboarder. aWh has been the #1 source of skateboards in mid-America for over 30 years. Our knowledgeable salespeople specialize in customer satisfaction. Our shipping is fast and 99.9% error free. See why dealers say aWh is their preferred source for their skateboard supplies. It all started in the 1960s when the surf crowd began skating on Makaha and Hobie skateboards. Skateboarding became very popular almost overnight. Over 50 million boards were sold within a three year period. And then all of a sudden skateboarding died in the fall of 1965. The first crash of skateboarding came about due to inferior product and many safety issues.
In 1973, the urethane wheel was invented. It revolutionized the way a skateboard rode and performed. This led to better truck development and a new boom was beginning. We recognized the potential of the new generation skateboard and put a large skateboard department into our retail store. We were amazed at the instant success we had. Sales exceeded our expectations, but we were constantly struggling to keep merchandise in stock.
Since our store was a hobby store, we were accustomed to ordering all our products through hobby distributors. But the skateboard industry had no such distribution channels. Everything had to be ordered direct from the manufacturers. Products were in short supply and many items took weeks to arrive after they were ordered. And we had to order from many different manufacturers to get a good selection of skate stuff.
The problem was obvious. If the skateboard industry was to service the retail dealer, a more effective way for the dealer to get product was needed. The skateboard industry needed better distribution.
aWh was started to fill this need. In 1976, aWh started distributing skateboards to dealers in Mid-America and beyond. In fact, skateboarding became so popular that a number of skateboard distributors were around by 1979. But in 1980, the industry went into its second slump. It was bad. Skateboards died overnight and caught manufacturers, distributors and dealers with lots of inventory they couldn't sell. Many went out of business.
aWh survived! We kept busy as we were taking advantage of the boom in outdoor roller skating. But we kept our focus on the skateboard industry for signs of recovery. There was a lot of grass roots activity with skaters building ramps and developing state of the art skating techniques. In the late 70s, the "ollie" or no hands aerial, was invented by Alan Gelfand. It may be the single most significant trick in the evolution of skateboarding and it contributed to skateboarding moving to the next level. As the next cycle started, we were ready. The cycle grew and grew and was huge when it peaked in the late 80s. During that period, aWh was the largest skateboard distributor in the US.
aWh has continued to be the #1 distributor for many skateboard dealers. Several have been with us from the very early days. Our focus has always been for our dealers to be successful. Since our roots are in the retail business, we understand what the retailer's needs and wants are. Our sales reps have all been involved in skating for many years and they understand skateboarding and the skateboard industry.
If you would like to be involved in this exciting and fast moving industry, give aWh a call and let us help you get started.
