RZR Skate Blades has edge on the competition

Hamilton Spectator

By Nick Bontis

This year's grand prize Lion's Lair winner mixes two ingredients that Hamilton is well known for: steel and hockey. RZR Skate Blades executed a perfect quadruple axel during the competition and skated away with $63,000 in cash and prizes (www.rzrskateblades.com).

RZR designs and manufactures custom performance hockey skate blades. The product is proudly made in Hamilton, and is available for any hockey skate utilizing the existing boot and holder. RZR promises superior performance, strength and durability through two proprietary technologies: ToughEdge and G3.

ToughEdge is a process that RZR has developed for use on skate blades that provides an edge that is five times harder, and a core that can withstand three times greater impact compared to a standard blade. G3 technology uses a custom precision manufacturing process to create perfect blade geometry (i.e., pitch, radius and profile). Furthermore, there are endless custom options available to suit any individual players' needs, including colours, names and logos on the blades themselves.

The resulting product is unparalleled in the industry, and challenges to revolutionize a product that has seen very little advancement in the past 50 years. Better yet, it is happening to a sport, and in a city, that is near and dear to its founders. RZR began with a simple idea, then grew from ingenuity to reality by three entrepreneurs that possessed the right combination of skills, experience and knowledge.

Michael Verticchio has a real passion for the sport of hockey and possesses industry experience. Chris Verticchio, his older brother, brings business management, sales and marketing in the steel industry to the team. Nick Montecchia, a friend of the brothers, offers a vast knowledge of design, advanced manufacturing and mechanical engineering.

The original business idea had its genesis at a local hockey pro shop. Michael and Nick wondered why the quality of skate blades was so astonishingly bad. They figured that a potential new solution to an age-old problem could do the trick. So the team got together night after night at the local hockey arena and scrutinized the performance of blades. They would speak to scores of hockey players and examine hundreds of skates.

Ultimately, this experience led them to the development of the new RZR blade. The blade itself has no flat spots and is precision contoured to maximize stability, balance and control. Although the science behind the RZR blade is first class, the way it looks is cool, too. Every hockey player can benefit with that special edge that comes from aerospace stainless steel.

The Lion's Lair competition was a wonderful learning experience for this team of entrepreneurs. From the beginning, the contest forced them to better define, simplify and structure their organizational strategy. It also provided the founders with some great networking opportunities and a chance to collaborate with industry leaders and new venture experts.

Michael has been particularly humbled by his team's win.

"We are truly grateful to all involved for sharing this opportunity and experience with us. A special thanks goes to the Innovation Factory, Hamilton Chamber of Commerce, and the local startup community."

In the future, RZR plans to build its business through steady growth and global exports, while maintaining their Hamilton roots. A celebrity endorsement from a hockey super star would also help their cause. Ultimately, RZR is a great example of the re-purposing of our community's proud legacy of steel.

Nick Bontis is a professional speaker, management consultant, business adviser, McMaster University professor and author.

NickBontis.com | @NickBontis