Open Source Manufacturing
When K2, Black Diamond, and a host of other corporations decided to increase shareholder value by importing Chinese skis they essentially destroyed high value jobs in our country.
So here’s what we did about it.
We developed hyper efficient off grid manufacturing technology, created the profession of ski smith, and initiated Open Source Manufacturing (OSM) to challenge the corporate business model and create manufacturing jobs state side. Our approach brings to market, high performance skis, designed based on client specifications that cost less than Chinese skis.
The business structure and manufacturing platform are efficiently transferable to apprenticing ski smiths who in turn start businesses. When we achieve our threshold of one thousand smiths, supporting the OSM business model, we will be able to produce the bulk of skis purchased in the United States.
OSM spreads manufacturing capacity over community based, autonomous ski smiths that recognize the following;
- Bring to market, high performance skis sold at a working persons wage
- Supports an apprenticeship program
- Reliance on the human hand when designing/operating their manufacturing platforms ensuring we develop as artisan
- Knowledge
transfer within the OSM community to sustain a flow of innovative ideas
from one smith to the next
The corporate model controls a majority of market shares, determines by in large where and how skis are manufactured, and influences market price. This is reversible.
When you design and buy a set of skis from the OSM community, you share an experience that traverses the human landscape; creativity, relationship, knowledge transfer, the desire to compete towards excellence. You also receive custom tailored skis manufactured to exacting tolerances. Your purchase supports an apprenticeship programs that enriches community through education. This in turn allows journeymen smiths to establish state side businesses. And lastly, you support the smith and their family.
Thank you for your interest in our story.
333 skis - Open Source Manufacturing - Sustainable Manufacturing
99 percent realized on profits/wages from each ski sold.
