Over a decade later, Spark R&D has come a long way; from Will couch surfing after grad school while conceiving the company, to an expansive factory with nearly 40 employees, all of whom share a true passion for splitboarding, and a dedication to making better equipment. In that time the company has placed an emphasis on moving as much of their production in-house as possible. As such, they now design, 3D scan, 3D print, CNC machine, CNC turn, bend, punch, cut, tumble, anodize, injection mold, print, laser engrave, assemble, inspect, test, package, and ship — all entirely in-house, a reality that allows for improved quality control, prototyping, and production schedule certainty. To top it all off, this do-it-all factory is still located in the heart of Bozeman and is only a 15-minute drive from the Bridger Mountains — a convenience that allows the team at Spark R&D unmatched opportunities for research and development, and as such, a true ownership of their name.
However, to discuss Spark R&D as simply a proficient factory and purveyor of bindings would be to miss the essence of the Montana company. At Spark R&D, splitboarding, community, and culture are regularly celebrated, and each employee brings a key contribution to the table for the finished project. They even have “Shred Wednesdays” where the entire office gets the opportunity to connect in the mountains and ride together mid-week. Because of this emphasis on riding and culture, there is no better way to get to know the company than through the people who fill its walls. Below you will find individual bios for five of Spark R&D’s employees, each of whom is responsible for making the company what it is today.