Skateboarding was born in America, but the sad truth (at least for purists) is that many of the parts are now made overseas. Fortunately there are still a few companies out there that are producing products to let boarders grind it and show some American made pride.
Based in San Diego, California, Kontrol Wheels is still producing skateboard wheels in America. The company was founded by Dan Eager in 2004, after he and few other engineers came up with a new technology to mold urethane wheels.
This new urethane-molding process not only eliminated much of the physical labor, but also created a superior skateboard wheel. It even reduced the amount of waste that came with conventional manufacturing.
Video after the jump
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1n6N0kSWMo
One point that sets Kontrol Wheels apart from other manufacturers is their production process is more ’Eco Friendly.’ Remember as a child putting together plastic model cars, planes or ships? You would twist or cut the plastic part that you needed off of the plastic tree and in the end, when your model was complete, throw the plastic tree into the trash. With certain plastic and rubber manufacturing processes, this happens every day. You buy the end product all neatly packaged, but you do not see the ‘plastic tree’ thrown into the trash. The new ‘urethane-molding process’ used by Kontrol Wheels is more environmentally friendly since there is virtually zero waste during the manufacturing process – the urethane goes into the mold and not out the sides.
Kontrol Wheels are solid urethane and offer more rebound and abrasive resistance than most other skateboard wheels on the market. By not sending the manufacturing of their wheels overseas, Kontrol Wheels can have a closer eye on the entire process. Because the facility is located in California, Eager and his team can oversee and control the production through every step.
The result is more “Kontrol,” but it also means that they can improve the end product. Test wheels can be taken from every lot as well to ensure overall quality, and the company asks for and receives customer feedback.
Most of the wheels that Kontrol Wheels manufactures are either 50mm or 52mm, but sizes from 50mm up to 55mm are available with a few of the models. Along with wheels, Kontrol Wheels also produces three different Kontrol Bushings of varying durometers. Both the wheels and bushings can be ordered straight from the Kontrol Wheels store. Skateboarding may not be a crime, but passing up the opportunity to put a set of U.S. made Kontrol Wheels on your board might be criminal.