In Pictures: Canadian snowboard maker seeks fresh powder
Max Jenke is reintroducing his boards and ski wear to the most dangerous place for his company – the United States
A former professional snowboarder, Max Jenke co-founded Endeavor Snowboards in 2002. The company, which has eight full-time employees, is close to prime snowboarding terrain that includes the Whistler Blackcomb ski resort. Today, Endeavor sells its products in some 34 countries, from Australia to Japan.Rafal Gerszak/The Globe and Mail
An Endeavor snowboard at the Asahidake ski resort in Japan.Scott Serfas
In 2006, Endeavor signed a global licensing deal with Airhole Facemasks Inc., a Vancouver maker of ventilated masks for the slopes.Rafal Gerszak/The Globe and Mail
Enceavor also has a North American partnership with the Swedish clothier Colour Wear, whose offerings include snowboarding pants and jackets.Rafal Gerszak/The Globe and Mail
An employee works at Endeavor Design in Vancouver. The company used to sell its products in the United States, but after the 2008 financial crisis it pulled its snowboards out of the country. Now it’s ready to jump back in.Rafal Gerszak/The Globe and Mail
The Endeavor Design building in the Gastown neighbourhood of Vancouver. The company designs boards here and manufactures them in Asia.Scott Serfas
Burton snowboards dating back as far 1982 are displayed in a makeshift museum at Endeavor Design headquarters in Vancouver.Rafal Gerszak/The Globe and Mail
Max Jenke, president of Endeavor Design, holds the Archtype Series snowboard in the research and development lab of the Endeavor headquarters in Vancouver. Mr. Jenke is worried about going into the U.S. market. He’s concerned about marketing expenses and how to introduce a product in such a big place. “If we want to go to that market, we have to play the game,” he says.Rafal Gerszak/The Globe and Mail