About Me
Balzout, originally birthed as S&E Printing, was started by radical skateboarders, Scott Cable and Ed Layne. The two met while attending West Virginia University and shared the same dream of starting their own business. After graduation they moved to Charleston where they began printing in the basement of Mr. Cables in-laws. With an investment of only $2,000 they started making their dream a reality.Though getting started was a rough road, Scott and Ed consulted one, up-tight banker, after another until they finally convinced a small town bank in southern West Virginia to take a chance. Soon after they were able to move out of the basement into a building purchased on the west side of Charleston. It appeared success was in the future.As business increased, they opened a chain of retail stores called, S&E Boardroom. These stores featured their own screen printed and embroidered apparel, skateboard gear, snowboards, and other name brand items.Wanting to take their business in a different direction, they began looking into the prospect of licensed apparel. After a series of meetings with Brokum International, an agreement was made to produce the apparel of several music groups. With the success of AC/DC, Guns-N-Roses and more, licenses were granted for artists such as The Greatful Dead, Jimi Hendrix, Rolling Stones, and Pink Floyd. But their pride and joy was being the first to license Bob Marley. Balzout is still recognized as the creator of some of the best known Bob Marley designs on the market. The offers began to pour in. Licensing relationships were made with Miller Brewing Co. Jim Beam Distilling Co, Jack Daniel's, Budweiser, Warner Bros, 20TH Century Fox, Taco Bell, Pepsi, etc.In 1996, Scott and Ed purchased a 90,000 square foot warehouse in Nitro, WV. This expansion gave Balzout what it needed to become one of the finest manufactures in the industry. They could now offer speedy production, stock programs, E.D.I and A.S.N. capabilities, and special shipping and handling. With these options, they could now cater to the needs of companies like Hot Topic, Spencer Gifts, JC Penny, Target, WAL-MART, and more.Being recognized as one of the top three licensees in screen printed and embroidered apparel, Balzout continues to pursue new licences. Now, carrying licenses like Corona, Army Rangers, Rockstalgia, and Headbangers Ball, Balzout is keeping up with the times as well as the trends from the past.After many years of success, Ed Layne has retired, leaving Scott as the sole owner of Balzout dba S&E Printing in 2000. Scott Cable still remains the owner to this day, showing that hard work and a large sack can and will lead to success. HAVE A HARDCORE DAY,,!
