User:Scotthargrave/Edge & Wax

Edge And Wax (Edge & Wax) is an independent wintersports business based in West Sussex in the United Kingdom. It was started by Scott Hargrave, a former cyclist and bicycle designer. When his employer Evans Cycles was sold in 2008 Scott set up Bliss Outdoor LTD, trading as Edge & Wax, as he had a keen interest in skiing since quitting cycling, and saw a gap in the local market and online in the UK for a quality independent Ski retailer.

History

Bliss Outdoor LTD was incorporated in July 2008 with UK Company number 0664 7299, and the trading name "Edge & Wax" was used, after a test business run from a garden shed the previous 12 months had shown the potential for a high quality ski and snowboard servicing business. Edge & Wax opened October 1st 2008, in Partridge Green, focussing on servicing skis and snowboards, selling servicing tools, and ski boot fitting. The original brands were K2 Skis, Volkl Skis, Head Skis and Nordica Skis. The business in unit 15 Huffwood Trading Estate operated from 500 Square Feet.

In 2010, additional space was taken next door, expanding the available space to 1400 square feet, to allow more space for a warehouse and the very busy workshop.

In 2011, a warehouse unit was aquired due to the rapid growth in internet sales, requiring a dedicated warehouse with goods in and goods out facilities. Citrus Lime were also appointed the providers of the IT Retail System, based around Microsoft Dynamics RMS, and a bespoke built website. The IT system integrated workshop, warehouse and retail into one live system.

In 2014, Edge & Wax appointed its 25th member of staff.

World Ski Awards

Edge & Wax has been shortlisted for the Telegraph World Ski Awards for each of the three years it has been running for the best UK Retailer award. For the 2014 awards, this category, and the Best Ski Boot Fitting Award were voted for by the general public, and Edge & Wax won both the Best Specialist Snowsports Retailer award, and the Best Specialist Bootfitter award, beating many larger businesses.

Logo

The Edge & Wax logo received trademark registration in January 2015. The logo was designed by Graphic Designer Karl Mynhardt from K&I Design. The ampersand symbolises both skiing and snowboarding - the pair of skis can clearly be seen, and the remainder of the ampersand is typical of the lines a snowboard leaves when going through powder snow.

The Little Blue Book

There have been three issues of "The Little Blue Book", volumes I, II and III. These A5 sized wintersports product guides are designed and printed in the same village that Edge & Wax are based in in by independent local printers Forest Litho. The book utilises recycled paper stock and a matt finish to achieve a look more akin to a brand brochure than a retailer catalogue.

Current Ownership

The business is owned by Managing Director Scott Hargave, and the registered office is Unit 15 Huffwood Trading Estate, Partridge Green, Horsham, UK. RH13 8AU (Bliss Outdoor LTD Company Number: 06647299)