Mammoth Energy Group, Inc., based in Winston-Salem, NC, has signed a letter of intent to acquire Sport Technology, Inc., the maker of the alternative skateboard, Flowboard. Terms weren't disclosed.
The Flowboard is a large skateboard-style deck with two unique trucks that each hold seven wheels fixed in an arch. The result is a skateboard that turns and flows in a different way than more traditional pin trucks with two wheels each. It's often been described as being able to create the feeling of snowboarding on pavement. Sports Technology also operates the flowlab.com website.
According to a statement, the flowboard was created by Pieter Schouten and Mike Simonian, two design students attending the Art Center College of Design in Vevey, Switzerland. The first flowboards were shipped in 2000.
In 2003, Mike Kern, then the company's largest distributor, purchased the company and a new headquarters in Long Beach was established. Under Kern's leadership, the number of retail outlets in the U.S. increased including specialty skate, surf and snow shops and national/regional sporting goods retailers such as Big 5 and Chick's Sporting Goods. In 2005, Flowlab signed an exclusive distribution agreement with Kryptonics, a leader in the skate wheel industry since 1965, to further expand its presence in general sporting goods channels. Today it is estimated that there are approximately 50,000 Flowboard riders.
