NINTHWARD: Taking over the world one ski at a time
It’s 2 am in Government Camp, Oregon and Ninthward CEO Campbell Mckeogh sits behind the glow of his monitor with the same 12 seconds of a Clash song playing on nearly continuous repeat. He has a week to finish editing the Ninthward team video and has barely looked up from the screen all night. Team rider Ian Cosco and marketing manager Shane Chandlee are sitting on the couch equally absorbed in Ian's laptop. Team rider Max Peters still hasn’t returned from his walk, which probably means good things for some lucky racer girl. Visitors are welcome to a beer from the fridge or a smoke if someone happens to be lighting up, but aren’t met with much attention.
The atmosphere of the Ninthward house is a perfect exemplification of everything the company stands for: individuality, creativity and a tight-knit family feel.
"The Ninthward name comes from the area in New Orleans where I grew up,” says Campbell, with eyes still fixed to the monitor. “It's a low-income neighborhood where everyone knows everyone and it was important that we all looked after each other. That kind of community involvement is what we strive for as a company and a team."
Campbell started the Mammoth-based company in early 2003 and has already surpassed his expectations for where the company would be in 2005. After a full year of research and development, Ninthward made an appearance at the 2004 SIA show in Vegas and was met with unexpected enthusiasm.
"We had no idea what to expect but things went as well as they possibly could have,” says Campbell. “People really embraced us as a company."
He is quick to credit everyone that has lent the company a hand.
"So many friends and people that believe in Ninthward have contributed their skills, time and hard work. That kind of help and support has been invaluable."
Marketing Director Shane Chandlee has been working with the company for about six months. Though he wasn't around at the company's conception his large base of knowledge and enthusiasm for Ninthward belie a long history of shared experiences and values. Shane has been heavily involved with the ski industry for as long as he can remember and boasts a resume including Windells head coach, Director of the South Shore Soldiers ski program, as well as being a Mammoth freeride team athlete for three consecutive years.
"The whole idea behind Ninthward is that we're just doing what we love to do, says Chandlee. “We don't consider ourselves as different or better than any of our riders or the kids buying our product. That's what allows us to listen to [the market]."
In addition to five different ski models the company has three separate outerwear lines and will soon be adding more product. After completely selling out their inventory last season, they are doubling production and expanding to international distribution. New markets include France, Switzerland, Bulgaria, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Japan and Korea with more negotiations in progress.
Back in Govy, Shane, Ian and Max spend the next day slaying Palmer glacier. Campbell spends the day adding some ink to his arm, working on his art and playing with his family of three enormous Malamutes.
Ninthward clearly values quality of life, but they also exude drive, determination and a vision. As Campbell says, “We just want to take over the world.”
