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This is Chris Redgrave for Zions Bank Speaking on Business.
On a warm summer evening is there anything better than spending time outside with your family, especially in a state known for our great outdoors? That fun might be even better with the addition of a big trampoline. And that trampoline may have even been produced right here in Utah by a company called Skywalker Trampolines.
Company founder Mike Colling launched the business nearly 10 years ago, and Skywalker Trampolines is now one of the top recognized brands in the outdoor play industry. The name doesn't refer to anything related to George Lucas but instead goes back to Native Americans since the word means "running in the air" or "being in the air."
Mike discovered an opening in the market for trampolines with enclosures. He started the company in partnership with Mike Wilkinson and Don Standing. They decided to create a business model based on e-commerce, and it has been a critical business choice. It's no wonder with e-commerce predicted to increase by over 20 percent this year to nearly $1.5 trillion. Skywalker Trampolines has national distribution, thanks to partnerships with major retailers like Wal-Mart, Amazon, Toys R Us and Target.
Families love the e-commerce aspect of Skywalker Trampolines because they can buy the product they want online then have it delivered to their door in three to seven working days. That means no worries over figuring out how to get the trampoline from the store back to the house. Not to mention it opened the door for more retailers to stock the product. Skywalker currently has over 800,000 units in the marketplace and Mike anticipates an increase to over a million within the next year.
Customers also love being able to choose different sizes and shapes of trampolines, from square to rectangular and up to 17 feet long. Skywalker Trampolines designs the trampolines and oversees manufacturing, with 26 employees involved with the various steps of the process. They have two patents on their design, which continues to be a safe and durable top-quality product in the marketplace.
For Zions Bank, I'm Chris Redgrave, speaking on business.
Skywalker Trampolines 1006 W. Hwy. 13 Brigham City, UT 84302 435-723-8178
