brand profile
Prime8 is a premium line of skate tools launching in September. We spoke to skate industry vet Mark Heineken about the gap in the market and the need for an easy to use, long-last skate tool. With his dedication to skateboarding and years of experience, he has come up with what might just be the most innovative skate tool on the market. What was the thinking behind launching Prime8? I have been working on skateboard development for 30+ years and used (and lost) pretty much every tool in the market. Some of these tools have some great features, but most just aren’t very functional. I wanted a tool that did what I needed to do, without unnecessary bolt-ons that would actually last … Over the years I’ve spent a lot of time in different skateboard factories, and realised that the people working there, never use skate tools. There was an obvious problem here waiting to be fixed, regular skate tools just do not last! From the start, PREMIUMTOOLS@PRIME8BOARDSUPPLY.COM 78
we always wanted to create the best skate tools in the industry. It didn’t matter what the cost was or if they were “cool”. They had to work for the industry professionals, and I’m not talking riders here, but people who actually put skateboards together. If we could make a tool that a skate shop employee will choose to use, we have a great tool for every skater. We are committed to help grow skateboarding globally. Who are the key people behind the brand? Just me, Mark Heineken. I worked for many years at Rodolfo’s in Amsterdam and have been in the industry all my
life. With many different brands and distribution channels, I have learned everything NOT to do in this industry. We also have an amazing team of very talented people involved in creating and building our tools, without them none of this would have been possible. What sets Prime8 tools aside from other skate tools on the market? We only use premium materials and innovative designs which we hold patents on. We offer a lifetime warranty on our product and our global give-away program is what makes us stand out.
