Ensuring our safety during our snowmobile or quad bike excursions is the ultimate goal of every enthusiast. Using spikes on the track or tires can mean the difference between poor traction and perfect traction in difficult situations.
In Quebec, in Issoudun, we have the largest crampons manufacturer in the world, iGrip.
“Screw-on crampons have been around since 2008,” explains owner Patrick Lemay. At that time I was a distributor of a Swedish product. The problem with this product was that it penetrated the tire and caused punctures. »
After reporting the problems to the Swedish people when there was no change, he decided to try and develop his own product.
“After sharing my recommendations with the Swedish manufacturer, I found that nothing had changed. So in 2015 I developed and patented a crampons with shoulders. It took me seven years to get this patent. The principle of the shoulder crampons is simple. By adding this small part we prevent the spike from getting stuck in the tire or track. This allows you to change crampons as soon as they wear out. »
The expert explains that there are many vehicles of all types that do not have the option of having winter tires.
“It must be understood that there is nothing that provides as much traction on ice as crampons, regardless of the vehicle, including snowmobiles. »
At the iGrip factory, machinists manufacture the crampons following the rules established for the different uses. Photo provided by Karl Tremblay
SHOULDER MEANS LIGHTNESS
The use of the shoulder makes the difference. It has two small holes so it can be removed and replaced if necessary. Installation instructions are included when purchasing a product.
“The principle of the shoulder is the strength of our product. In other crampons available on the market, such as those found in snowmobiles and other devices, there is no air chamber that reduces the impact of external elements such as stones or others. Since there is no possibility of absorption, the bolt penetrates directly into the rail when it comes into contact with a stone or other obstacle. Thanks to the shoulder, the crampons do not sink into the terrain and remain effective at all times. »
The world of snowmobiles represents the company’s largest market.
“It is our largest market. Adding cleats to the track really makes a difference. Very often everyone brakes in the same place and it becomes icy. Braking on ice without crampons can result in serious accidents such as a spin or complete loss of control. Ice often forms on curves. At intersections, the hard metal runners bite into the asphalt and the rear ends up on the ice without any traction. They are trapped on the street. The traction that the crampons provide helps avoid such very dangerous situations. »
GLOBAL PRESENCE
The company’s factory is located in Issoudun, very close to Laurier station. Everything is staged here for the presence of the products all over the world.
“We are currently represented throughout Scandinavia, Lithuania, Estonia, France, Italy, Poland, Slovenia, Germany and other countries. We are literally everywhere, be it through our wholesalers or our website. We have a North American website and a European website. In addition, we will take part in 10 trade fairs in Europe and 25 in America. »
The facility is currently operating at full capacity to meet demand.
“We currently produce 10 million crampons per year. We have growth of 20% to 40% per year. I am aiming to produce 50 million crampons. These figures include the market for car tire spikes. We are the only manufacturer of this type of crampons in North America. We are also the only ones who make crampons that can be mounted on machines weighing 20,000 pounds and over, always shouldered crampons. We reach all markets such as quads, snow groomers and more. »
The cleats are packaged and sold as a set, along with the necessary instructions for installation. Photo provided by Karl Tremblay
So when you need crampons to ensure your safety, be it for a pair of boots, a snowmobile, an ATV, your car or heavy machinery, remember this name: iGrip. With this Quebec manufacturer operating all over the world, almost anything is possible to ensure your safety.