Captain Fastbastard Mayhem Posted January 14, 2016 Posted January 14, 2016 I did not know this. Even more reason to support SPANK industries!!! http://www.pinkbike.com/news/gavin-michael-vos-spank-interview-2015.html http://ep1.pinkbike.org/p5pb12931251/p5pb12931251.jpghttp://lp3.pinkbike.org/p1pb6168857/p1pb6168857.jpg First things first... I'm Gavin Michael Vos, President of Spank Industries and Fratelli Industries. I'm from South Africa, and have been living in Taichung for 20 years. http://es.pinkbike.org/245/sprt/i/bigquotes.png You know where Spank comes from? It's basically when you're born and get your first slap on the butt which kick-starts your vitals and gets your heart and lungs going; that's the first sort of adrenaline rush that you get!
Josh0 Posted January 14, 2016 Posted January 14, 2016 Very interesting read, Gavin sounds like a legend. I think my Spiitie needs some Oozy Trail 295's after reading this.
Steven Knoetze (sk27) Posted January 14, 2016 Posted January 14, 2016 SPANK products have always been too "bling" for my liking.But that's just my opinion.
Barry Stuart Posted January 14, 2016 Posted January 14, 2016 I did not know this. Even more reason to support SPANK industries!!! http://www.pinkbike.com/news/gavin-michael-vos-spank-interview-2015.html http://ep1.pinkbike.org/p5pb12931251/p5pb12931251.jpghttp://lp3.pinkbike.org/p1pb6168857/p1pb6168857.jpg First things first... I'm Gavin Michael Vos, President of Spank Industries and Fratelli Industries. I'm from South Africa, and have been living in Taichung for 20 years. http://es.pinkbike.org/245/sprt/i/bigquotes.pngYou know where Spank comes from? It's basically when you're born and get your first slap on the butt which kick-starts your vitals and gets your heart and lungs going; that's the first sort of adrenaline rush that you get! What are those helmets in the background?
patches Posted January 14, 2016 Posted January 14, 2016 What are those helmets in the background?IXS Xult. Same one that CG uses. http://p.vitalmtb.com/photos/stories/2015/05/20/max_all_helmets_724423.jpg?1432133238
Barry Stuart Posted January 14, 2016 Posted January 14, 2016 IXS Xult. Same one that CG uses. http://p.vitalmtb.com/photos/stories/2015/05/20/max_all_helmets_724423.jpg?1432133238 Gosh those are nice. Is there any kind of relationship between IXS and Spank then?
patches Posted January 14, 2016 Posted January 14, 2016 Gosh those are nice. Is there any kind of relationship between IXS and Spank then? Possibly. I know the local agent for Spank is also the local agent for IXS.
Captain Fastbastard Mayhem Posted January 14, 2016 Author Posted January 14, 2016 Gosh those are nice. Is there any kind of relationship between IXS and Spank then?Yes, in that Gavin is also heavily involved in iXS. Sister companies, if anything. Have a read of the timeline posted in the article. Very, VERY impressive resume. 1975 - 1978: Raced BMX as a kid 1979: Switched to surfing 1986 - 1997: Extreme sports pioneer in South Africa (first South African bungee jumping operation called KingSwing, paragliding, power kiting, MTB racing, and in-between death defying pursuits, buyer and marketer for outdoor and adventure importer, distributor and retail chain called AST / Beachbreak) 1988: Pioneered first import and distribution of mountain bikes and components into S. Africa 1988-1990: Two years conscripted national service in the S. African Marines 1990 – 1995: Established and pioneered first SA mountain bike club (Fat Tracks), SAMBA (South African Mountain Bike Association), SA Mountain Bike Champs, management team for first SA MTB Team to participate in World Champs (France, 1993) 1997: Moved to Taiwan to pursue his interests in design and manufacturing with Zokes Suspension (Marzocchi), Wheeler, Hayes 1998: Established FUNN Components and VOG Designs 2000: Initiated iXS Sports Division with Intercycle Switzerland, leading design/development/production team 2001: Established Spank Industries with Sven Mack 2011: Established Fratelli Industries and Anvil Industries 2012: Established The Gravity Cartel (Sales/Service/Promotion for Spank and iXS) in Washington, USA 2015: Still Stoked
Skott5 Posted January 14, 2016 Posted January 14, 2016 I really rate Spank rims. Running two sets of Subrosa rims on Hope hubs at the moment, and put them through the ringer and they are still dead true and look spiffy.Best wheelset I've run in a long time
Barry Stuart Posted January 14, 2016 Posted January 14, 2016 Yes, in that Gavin is also heavily involved in iXS. Sister companies, if anything. Have a read of the timeline posted in the article. Very, VERY impressive resume. 1975 - 1978: Raced BMX as a kid 1979: Switched to surfing 1986 - 1997: Extreme sports pioneer in South Africa (first South African bungee jumping operation called KingSwing, paragliding, power kiting, MTB racing, and in-between death defying pursuits, buyer and marketer for outdoor and adventure importer, distributor and retail chain called AST / Beachbreak) 1988: Pioneered first import and distribution of mountain bikes and components into S. Africa 1988-1990: Two years conscripted national service in the S. African Marines 1990 – 1995: Established and pioneered first SA mountain bike club (Fat Tracks), SAMBA (South African Mountain Bike Association), SA Mountain Bike Champs, management team for first SA MTB Team to participate in World Champs (France, 1993) 1997: Moved to Taiwan to pursue his interests in design and manufacturing with Zokes Suspension (Marzocchi), Wheeler, Hayes 1998: Established FUNN Components and VOG Designs 2000: Initiated iXS Sports Division with Intercycle Switzerland, leading design/development/production team 2001: Established Spank Industries with Sven Mack 2011: Established Fratelli Industries and Anvil Industries 2012: Established The Gravity Cartel (Sales/Service/Promotion for Spank and iXS) in Washington, USA 2015: Still Stoked Frikken over achievers
GrumpyOldGuy Posted January 14, 2016 Posted January 14, 2016 Very inspirational story, I just think its so unfortunate that entrepreneurs like this have no choice but to take their skills and entrepreneurial spirit to other countries to achieve the success they desire. As a businessman I have always asked myself why is it that South Africa has so few entrepreneurs who are prepared to risk it all and follow their dreams, and the answer in my opinion is that the cost of failure in SA is extremely high, much higher than in most other countries perhaps, both from a socially stigmatized perspective as well as a financial perspective. The USA as an example, encourages this entrepreneurial spirit, going broke here is not frowned upon, its accepted as a normal business risk and in many instances even admired, I never hear economists here saying dont try its too hard and you may fail, they encourage those prepared to try, they have a "can do" mentality, in fact I know of a few very successful companies which are owned by guys who went broke two or three times before they became successful, this spirit, in my opinion is absent in the SA business world, at least from my experience, and, maybe not unexpectedly so, lets face it, going broke in SA is devastating, their is no social security or similar catch net, but I also think S.Africans are brought up very conservatively, as a nation we are scared of failure and we stigmatize those who have taken the risk and perhaps tried and failed. Very unfortunate that we lose this spirit to another nation, when heavens knows its so heavily needed in SA.
T-Bob Posted January 14, 2016 Posted January 14, 2016 100% awesome. I never thought i'd get much from them as I thought the colours were a bit much. Lucked in to some Spike Race's on the hub and was a convert. Now have bars, stems and a few bit more. Had an issue with the T/A convertor on my spikes and Mr Vos come to the rescue on their FB site then email. I had no idea who he was, just thought he was pretty good a customer service guy until a few weeks after. Product is tough as nails, service was world class, will always go back. "Hey, cool, a big BMX bike with gears!" - ain't that the truth Mr Vos. Keep preaching.
Eddy Gordo Posted January 14, 2016 Posted January 14, 2016 Very inspirational story, I just think its so unfortunate that entrepreneurs like this have no choice but to take their skills and entrepreneurial spirit to other countries to achieve the success they desire. As a businessman I have always asked myself why is it that South Africa has so few entrepreneurs who are prepared to risk it all and follow their dreams, and the answer in my opinion is that the cost of failure in SA is extremely high, much higher than in most other countries perhaps, both from a socially stigmatized perspective as well as a financial perspective. The USA as an example, encourages this entrepreneurial spirit, going broke here is not frowned upon, its accepted as a normal business risk and in many instances even admired, I never hear economists here saying dont try its too hard and you may fail, they encourage those prepared to try, they have a "can do" mentality, in fact I know of a few very successful companies which are owned by guys who went broke two or three times before they became successful, this spirit, in my opinion is absent in the SA business world, at least from my experience, and, maybe not unexpectedly so, lets face it, going broke in SA is devastating, their is no social security or similar catch net, but I also think S.Africans are brought up very conservatively, as a nation we are scared of failure and we stigmatize those who have taken the risk and perhaps tried and failed. Very unfortunate that we lose this spirit to another nation, when heavens knows its so heavily needed in SA. Yes exactly. Not sure how it is overseas, but as a fellow south african, I find it disgusting that one has to pay license fees to display the national flag or even table mountain on your product. At the end of the day the country should be proud of what its citizens are capable of and be proud to have these items display any national symbol.
V12man Posted January 14, 2016 Posted January 14, 2016 I did not know this. Even more reason to support SPANK industries!!! http://www.pinkbike.com/news/gavin-michael-vos-spank-interview-2015.html http://ep1.pinkbike.org/p5pb12931251/p5pb12931251.jpghttp://lp3.pinkbike.org/p1pb6168857/p1pb6168857.jpg First things first... I'm Gavin Michael Vos, President of Spank Industries and Fratelli Industries. I'm from South Africa, and have been living in Taichung for 20 years. http://es.pinkbike.org/245/sprt/i/bigquotes.pngYou know where Spank comes from? It's basically when you're born and get your first slap on the butt which kick-starts your vitals and gets your heart and lungs going; that's the first sort of adrenaline rush that you get! If you read it all you will see mention of Beachbreak surf shop - there are a few cycling notables that worked there for Neil Dorwood.. Brandon Els (ex Raleigh/Probike/Scott) , Robbie Powell, Steven Adshade (Ex Oakley SA), Victor Momsen (if I remember corectly) were all juniors there... makes you think doesn't it....
Thermophage Posted January 14, 2016 Posted January 14, 2016 So who brings the Spank stuff into South Africa...? I've always struggled to find it...ESPECIALLY in LBS :S
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