Interview with Tomas Ekström

Interview with Tomas Ekström, Chief of Production and Design at LAT 64, Disc Golf Hall of Fame Inductee
August 17th 2011

L64L: How was your 'disc golf vacation' to the western United States/2011 Pro Worlds?
TE -It was great even though I didn’t play very well. We met a lot of people, both old friends from the past and new business people. 
The courses weren´t that nice to look at but I think they where fair and had some challenging holes, but also some "good luck" holes with trees in 
the middle of the fairway etc. I´ve been in the states many times before so I know that the courses can be different from that we in europe are used to. 
We had a good time and everyone from L64 is already talking about going back or even buy a house in florida there we can have our winter vacation. 

L64L: What was the crowd reaction to your products at the Worlds Flymart?
TE -Very positive, but many people haven´t heard about us still, and that is something we must change. 
We also talked to some of our competitors and they where all impressed over the feel of the plastic.

L64L: Most memorable event of your trip/Worlds?
TE -That must be driving on Highway 1. So beautiful!
Or, when I asked Climo to spoon me when I was laying in the grass on the course and he said that there wasn´t any spoon that large. 

L64L: Alot of people compare L64 Opto Plastic (favorably, I might add) to the coveted Innova CE with regard to feel, grip, and durability:
How long did it take L64 to arrive at the perfect Opto formula?
TE -It took us a few months, we tested a few other plastics and blends at that time but we all liked the feel of the opto mix, and when we compared it to 
Champion in durability we could see that we had a winner. 

L64L: There has been a fair amount of clamoring on both sides of the pond for a premium plastic putter, particularly the Pure.
Since increasing numbers of people are learning to use and rely on putters for driving, not just for 'P and A,' do you have plans to release any stable driving putter in GL or Opto?
TE -All I can say is hopefully! We have had problems with molding the putters in premium plastic, that´s why we haven´t released any. 
We will continue to work on it this fall/winter.

L64L: Will any of the Latitude 64 Baskets/Targets be available in the USA?
TE -We have had a lot of questions from the states about our targets but the problem is that the shipping is so expensive. The target it self isn´t cheap either 
compared to competitors. So I doubt it, but who knows in the future. Maybe we could set up a L64 USA, that can handle the baskets etc.

L64L: You are definitely growing more and more popular in the USA and your relationship with Westside Discs (as their manufacturer) is definitely 'productive' as well.
Will you need to expand your manufacturing capabilities to match demand?
TE -Yes, we're actually going to move to a bigger facility this fall. 

L64L: Your artwork and materials are definitely factors in sales. Though the discs perform as good as they look, some of your discs border on fine artwork.
As L64's designer and production manager, how hard is it to 'let them go' when it comes time to ship them?
TE -Not hard at all, i´ve seen the discs months before we released them so it´s just fun to see them spread out over the world. 
The artwork and the name of the disc can be quite difficult to settle. Many times we need to vote for a name, and when that is done 
I have to come up with a few artworks for the disc. And then the voting starts again 
When that is done we usually test the name and the artwork with a few selected customers so we don't make the Slitz mistake again 

L64L: Are there any plans to sponsor or support any USA players to help promote your products stateside?
TE -Yes!

L64L: Can you share any news on any future products/discs/bags etc...???
TE -Next up on the disc agenda is a new putter and more fairway drivers. We have a big gap in the line-up in the rim width 1.6-2.2cm, 
that is something we must close. I´ve had a new bag on the drawing board for over a year now and hopefully will it be ready next spring.

LINKS
http://www.latitude64.se/

http://www.latitude64.se/system/visa.asp?HID=716&FID=606&HSID=12300

http://www.discgolfhalloffame.org/dghof-members/96-2010-inductees/80-tomas-ekstrom.html

[El Kabong]

He was super nice to answer these questions when he was barely home from the 2011 Worlds out here in California.

 

Tomas is just cool...that is all

[Jox]

Yeah, thats great of him!

 

(is that even a valid sentence?)

[xians421]

No, they don't make spoons that big . . . .

[El Kabong]

Au contraire and $#it

 

[Kazuhiko Gomibuchi]

Lat64 is a company that can expect the development in the future.
I like DiamondLight very much.
Disc of 159.9g or less can be used in Japan.
DiamondLight is very good Disc in that.
I am expecting Disc that Lat64 is wonderful to be made.