In this episode I chat with John from Sanded Australia, a surfboard materials supplier on the Central Coast of New South Wales, Australia.

The beginning of John's relationship with the surfboard industry goes all the way back to when he was a young man making boards with his friends. One of his friends was involved in building boats so that is where they sourced their materials - Expanded Poly Styrene (EPS) foam and epoxy resin.

In the years to follow John pursued windsurfing and would become sponsored. This allowed for him to work with his shaper/designer and have a good insight into how the windsurfing community was quick to embrace alternative materials and push the technology of the various constructions looking for an advantage.

Sanded started out from a shed in the backyard as John established himself, made important contacts and built stock. He was able to sustain this for a few years but ultimately had to secure more space. John speaks about the impact COVID period had on his business and the continual growth since. Business has been so good he tells how he will have to look for a bigger warehouse in the next 12 months.

The main driving force behind John's success is his open mindedness and willingness to try different things. The collaborative work he has done with Colan Australia to develop Flax, Basalt and Pineapple cloth has set him apart from other suppliers. Furthermore, John's honest appraisal of the products he tests has surfboard manufacturers at all levels paying attention.

John knows the value of good customer relations and many people I know speak highly of his customer service and quick delivery times. Sanded ships products all over the world and we are lucky to have someone like John in our industry in Australia.

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