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OtterBox

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OtterBox is a terribly fricking owned consumer electronics accessory company headquartered in Fort Collins, Colorado and a registered trademark that is often used generically for waterproof electronic cases for mobile devices. Founded in 1998, OtterBox originated as a manufacturer of waterproof boxes and device-specific smartphone and tablet cases designed for outdoor enthusiasts.[1] OtterBox has since shifted focus to provide protective cases for smartphones, whose cases may or may not be waterproof.

History

In 1991, Curt Richardson began creating the first “Otterbox” in his garage in response to an increase in popularity of water sports.[2] The first Otterbox was a 100% waterproof box.[2] Richardson launched the Otterbox company in 1998 around his finished 1995 Otterbox.[3] Richardson’s business decisions were strongly influenced by a 1985 book published on business theories called “E-Myths”.[2] In 2001 the company started making cases for iPods [3] and in 2004, OtterBox introduced cases for the iPod.[4] Otterbox pulled out of the market in 2010 to focus on mobile devices and technologies.[3] The company is currently providing protection accessories for military technology on the battlefield.[5]

By early 2009, the Otterbox company had approximately 70 employees.[2] The company opened an office in Ireland in 2010 with 10 employees to handle the European, Middle Eastern, and African markets [2] and an office in Wan Chai, Hong Kong in 2011.[6] The company made $347.5 million in revenue in 2011.[7] As of October 2011, Otterbox has a small sales office in Dubai and sales representatives in Australia.[3] As of 2012, the company has experienced a 300 job increase over the past three years.[7] Otterbox currently has 363 employees and has experienced a 3,312% growth over the past three years.[7] In July 2012, Curt Richardson announced he would be stepping down as CEO and taking the position of Chairman.[8] Brian Thomas will be the company’s new CEO.[8]

On October 19, 2012, Otterbox received a favorable judgement against an eBay seller who had been selling counterfeit Otterbox Defender Series cases.[9] “We are one of the most popular counterfeited brands worldwide,” OtterBox Brand Protection Manager John McKinney said. “We take aggressive action to protect our brand and ensure customers are purchasing authentic, quality OtterBox product.”[9]

Three start-up businesses that grew from Otterbox are Nerdy Minds, Wild Rock PR, and 1OAK Technologies.[10] All three founders of these businesses worked at Otterbox at one point in time and now are backed by the Otterbox company as they continue to develop their products and services.[10]

On May 22, 2013, Otterbox acquired the San Diego-based smartphone and tablet case manufacturer LifeProof.[11]

Products

Otterbox currently provides cases for various products such as the Amazon Kindle, the Apple iPhone, the Apple iPod Touch, the Apple iPad, the Barnes and Noble Nook, various BlackBerry phones, the BlackBerry Playbook, Boost Mobile phones, the Motorola XOOM, the Galaxy Tab, the Sony Reader, the Google Nexus 7, the Google Nexus One, various HTC phones, various LG phones, and various Samsung phones.[12]

Otterbox cases currently come in seven different series: the Defender Series, the Commuter Series, the Reflex Series, the Prefix Series, the Impact Series, Pursuit Series, and the Armor Series.[12]

  • The Defender Series protects against dropping, dust, and scratches. The Defender Series has three layers—the integrated screen protector, the polycarbonate inner layer, and the silicone outer layer. The case comes with a holster.[12]
  • The Commuter Series protects against dropping, dust, and scratches. The Commuter Series has two layers—the silicone inner layer and the polycarbonate outer layer. It comes with a screen protector.[12]
  • The Reflex Series protects against dropping and scratches. The Reflex Series has one two-piece layer and comes with a screen protector.[12]
  • The Prefix Series protects against dropping and scratches. The Prefix Series has one silicone layer with an internal polycarbonate backbone and comes with a screen protector.[12]
  • The Impact Series protects against dropping and scratches. The Impact Series has one textured silicone outer layer and comes with a screen protector.[12]
  • The Pursuit Series is a newer version of the Dry Box. The Pursuit Series protects against dropping, dust, scratches, and water. The box contains internal cushioning.[12]
  • The Armor Series protects against water, dust, dropping, and crushing.[13]

Otterbox products have a one year warranty against defects from the date of purchase.[12]

Patents

The Otterbox Armor Series, Commuter Series, Defender Series, Dry Boxes, Impact Series, and Reflex Series are all covered by multiple patents. Otterbox products are also covered by multiple trademarks awarded by the United States Patent and Trademark Office, and by other countries.[12]

Honors and awards

In 2012, the company was named by Great Place To Work as one of the Best Medium Workplaces.[14] In partnership with Fortune magazine, Otterbox was called out for having a 55% increase in employment as well as offering a "a carefree and creative habitat" that included offering all employees 24 hours of paid time off for volunteer work.[14]

References

  1. ^ April Joyner. "How I Reinvented My Business". Inc.com. Retrieved 2 May 2012.
  2. ^ a b c d e Kristen Tatti (7–20 May 2010). "Richardson out of the garage for good". Northern Colorado Business Report. Retrieved 2 December 2012.
  3. ^ a b c d Joyner, April. "How I Reinvented My Business". Inc. Retrieved 1 December 2012.
  4. ^ Dennis Lloyd (13 May 2004). "OtterBox announces oPod - water resistant case for iPod". iLounge. Retrieved 2 May 2012.
  5. ^ "OtterBox-Arming the Military with Rugged Technology". OtterBox. Retrieved 1 December 2012.
  6. ^ "9 News".
  7. ^ a b c "OtterBox". Inc. Retrieved 1 December 2012.
  8. ^ a b "OtterBox Evolution Continues with New Executive Leadership". Reuters. Retrieved 1 December 2012.
  9. ^ a b "OtterBox Wins Favorable Judgement in Counterfeiting Case". BusinessWire. Retrieved 1 December 2012.
  10. ^ a b Armbrister, Molly. "Three new companies spring from OtterBox's success". Northern Colorado Business Report. Retrieved 1 December 2012.
  11. ^ http://media.otterbox.com/press-release/company/otterbox-acquires-lifeproof
  12. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Products". OtterBox. Retrieved 1 December 2012.
  13. ^ "OtterBox Armor Series". OtterBox. Retrieved 3 December 2012.
  14. ^ a b "#7 - Best Medium Workplaces: OtterBox", Great Place to Work Institute of the United States, San Francisco, 2012.
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