OtterBox
{{Short description|American consumer electronics accessory company}}{{Infobox company
| name = Otter Products, LLC
| logo = OtterBox logo.jpeg
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| type = Private
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| foundation = {{Start date and age|1998}} in Fort Collins, Colorado, United States
| founders = Curt Richardson
David Bridge
| location_city = Fort Collins, Colorado
| location_country = United States
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| area_served = Worldwide
| key_people = {{Unbulleted list|JC Richardson (Chairman)|Trey Northrup (CEO)|Gerald Chen (CFO)}}
| products = Mobile phone accessories
iPad accessories
Apple Watch accessories
Xbox accessories
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| revenue = {{Increase}} US$923.6 million{{cite news |first=Pat |last=Ferrier |title=Out of the box: How the OtterBox empire sprang from a waterproof case |url=https://www.coloradoan.com/story/money/2018/05/03/otterbox-otter-products-iphone-cases-fort-collins-blue-ocean-enterprises/566069002/ |work=The Coloradoan |access-date=16 September 2022}}
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| num_employees = {{circa|766}}
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| homepage = {{URL|otterbox.com}}
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Otter Products, LLC, or simply OtterBox, is an American privately owned consumer electronics accessory company based in Fort Collins, Colorado, that produces cases for mobile devices. The company was founded in 1998 as a manufacturer of water-resistant boxes meant to house electronic devices, mostly catering to outdoor enthusiasts.{{cite web|title=How I Reinvented My Business|url=http://www.inc.com/inc5000/201109/otterbox-curt-richardson-how-i-reinvented-my-business.html|author=April Joyner|work=Inc.com|date=2011-09-14|access-date=2017-02-02}} Since then, OtterBox has produced both water-resistant and non-water-resistant protective phone cases for smartphones.
History
In 1991, Curt Richardson made the first “OtterBox,” a water-resistant box, in his garage after he noticed an increase in the popularity of water sports.{{cite web|title=Richardson out of the garage for good|url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=bth&AN=51691753&site=ehost-live&scope=site|author=Kristen Tatti|date=7–20 May 2010|publisher=Northern Colorado Business Report|access-date=2 December 2012}} After settling on the design of the Otterbox, Richardson started the company in 1998.{{cite web|last=Joyner|first=April|title=How I Reinvented My Business|url=http://www.inc.com/inc5000/201109/otterbox-curt-richardson-how-i-reinvented-my-business.html|publisher=Inc.|access-date=1 December 2012}} He was strongly influenced by the 1986 book about business theories, E-Myth, by Michael Gerber.
In 2001, the company began to produce iPod cases, which were introduced in 2004.{{cite web|title=OtterBox announces oPod - water resistant case for iPod|url=http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/news/comments/otterbox-announces-opod-water-resistant-case-for-ipod/|author=Dennis Lloyd|date=13 May 2004|publisher=iLounge|access-date=2 May 2012}} OtterBox ceased the production of iPod cases in 2010 to focus on mobile devices. As of 2024, the company provides military-grade accessories for protecting battlefield military technology.{{cite web|title=OtterBox-Arming the Military with Rugged Technology|url=http://www.otterbox.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-otterbox_us-Site/default/Press-ReleaseDetail?id=bdbVoiaagKEfgaaacPplZAd5jn|publisher=OtterBox|access-date=1 December 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140306044248/http://www.otterbox.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-otterbox_us-Site/default/Press-ReleaseDetail?id=bdbVoiaagKEfgaaacPplZAd5jn|archive-date=6 March 2014}}
In July 2012, Curt Richardson announced he would be stepping down as CEO and taking up the position of chairman.{{cite web|title=OtterBox Evolution Continues with New Executive Leadership|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/2012/07/20/idUS179620+20-Jul-2012+BW20120720|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130702090724/http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/07/20/idUS179620+20-Jul-2012+BW20120720|url-status=dead|archive-date=2 July 2013|publisher=Reuters|access-date=1 December 2012}} He was replaced by Brian Thomas.
In November 2014, the company announced the departure of CEO Brian Thomas. The company appointed the company's president, Peter Lindgren, to the role of CEO to replace Thomas, who served until March 2016.{{cite web|last1=Ferrier|first1=Pat|title=OtterBox announces leadership change|url=http://www.coloradoan.com/story/money/2014/11/09/otterbox-announces-leadership-change/18770233/|website=Fort Collins Coloradoan|access-date=13 November 2014}} In early 2016, Jim Parke, the CEO of Blue Ocean Enterprises, Inc, was appointed as the CEO of Otter Products, LLC.{{cite web |last1=Ferrier |first1=Pat |title=Jim Parke leads OtterBox into changing landscape |url=https://www.coloradoan.com/story/money/business/2016/08/27/jim-parke-leads-otterbox-into-changing-landscape/89199556/ |publisher=Coloradoan |access-date=22 May 2020}}
As of December 2022, JC Richardson, son of founders Curt and Nancy, took over the role of CEO of Otter Products. He took over the role, having previously sat on the board.{{cite web |last1=Ferrier |first1=Pat |title=Jim Parke leads OtterBox into changing landscape |url=https://media.otterbox.com/2022-12-13-Otter-Products-Appoints-JC-Richardson-to-CEO |publisher=Otter Products Press Release |access-date=27 June 2023}} In August 2024, Richardson announced that Trey Northrup, formerly of Lixil Group and Whirlpool Corporation, had been hired as CEO, with Richardson moving to the role of board chairman.{{cite web |title=Otter Products hires new CEO as former leader moves to chairman role |url=https://bizwest.com/2024/08/30/otter-products-hires-new-ceo-as-former-leader-moves-to-chairman-role/ |access-date=2 November 2024}}
Employees
By early 2009, OtterBox had approximately 70 employees. In 2010, the company opened an office in Cork, Ireland with ten employees to handle the European, Middle Eastern, and African markets. In 2011, it opened a Hong Kong office,{{cite web|title=9 News|url=http://www.9news.com/money/story.aspx?storyid=172338&catid=75|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120717063040/http://www.9news.com/money/story.aspx?storyid=172338&catid=75|url-status=dead|archive-date=2012-07-17}} and soon after, a smaller sales office in Dubai was set up. In 2012, OtterBox had 363 employees.{{cite web |title=OtterBox |url=http://www.inc.com/profile/otterbox |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130127005128/http://www.inc.com/profile/otterbox |archive-date=27 January 2013 |access-date=1 December 2012 |publisher=Inc.}}
Spin-offs
Three start-up businesses grew from OtterBox: Nerdy Minds, Wild Rock, and 1OAK Technologies.{{cite web|last=Armbrister|first=Molly|title=Three new companies spring from OtterBox's JEremy success|url=http://www.ncbr.com/article/20120420/EDITION07/120429930?pagenumber=2|publisher=Northern Colorado Business Report|access-date=1 December 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131230232929/http://www.ncbr.com/article/20120420/EDITION07/120429930?pagenumber=2|archive-date=30 December 2013}} All three founders of these businesses worked at OtterBox and are now backed by the company. On May 22, 2013, OtterBox acquired the San Diego–based smartphone and tablet case manufacturer LifeProof.{{cite web |url=http://media.otterbox.com/press-release/company/otterbox-acquires-lifeproof |title=OtterBox Acquires LifeProof |access-date=2013-09-12 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130609200638/http://media.otterbox.com/press-release/company/otterbox-acquires-lifeproof |archive-date=2013-06-09 }}
Products
{{As of|2024}}, OtterBox provides cases for products by Amazon, Apple, BlackBerry, Google (Pixel), HTC, LG, Microsoft, Motorola, Nokia, OnePlus, and Samsung.{{cite web|title=Products|url=http://www.otterbox.com/|publisher=OtterBox|access-date=23 May 2014}} The company has produced eleven different lines of cases while four lines are no longer in production. The company also manufactures screen protectors under its "Clearly Protected" line.{{cite web |last1=Archer |first1=Tucker |title=OtterBox vs. LifeProof: What's the Best iPhone 6 Case? |url=https://heavy.com/tech/2014/12/otterbox-vs-lifeproof-whats-the-best-iphone-6-case/ |website=heavy.com |date=25 December 2014 |access-date=22 May 2020}}
In May 2017, OtterBox announced a new product line, a line of coolers and tumblers called "Venture Coolers".{{Cite web|url=http://media.otterbox.com/2017-05-09-Unrule-the-Outdoors-with-New-OtterBox-Venture-Coolers|title=Unrule the Outdoors with New OtterBox Venture Coolers|website=OtterBox MediaRoom|access-date=2019-03-22}}
In January 2019, OtterBox announced a partnership with Corning to create a new line of screen protectors named "Amplify" for iPhone, Galaxy, and other mobile phones.{{Cite web|url=http://media.otterbox.com/2019-01-08-OtterBox-and-Corning-Partner-to-Redefine-Mobile-Device-Screen-Protection|title=OtterBox and Corning Partner to Redefine Mobile Device Screen Protection|website=OtterBox MediaRoom|access-date=2019-03-22}}
In 2020, OtterBox launched power banks, charging kits, and cables that work with both Apple and Android products.{{Cite web|title=Popular phone case brand Otterbox is selling chargers now|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/shopping/tech-gadgets/otterbox-power-banks-cables-charging-kits-n1232147|access-date=2020-06-26|website=NBC News|date=25 June 2020 |language=en}}
In 2021, OtterBox branched into gaming accessories with mobile game clips and carrying cases for Xbox controllers and iPhones.{{Cite web|last=Bouwmeester|first=Jason|date=2021-01-14|title=[CES 2021] Otterbox branches out with Xbox gaming accessories|url=https://techaeris.com/2021/01/14/ces-2021-otterbox-xbox-gaming-accessories/|access-date=2021-01-15|website=Techaeris|language=en-us}}
In 2022, OtterBox launched a program called the "OtterBox Protection Program"{{Cite web |title=New OtterBox Protection Program |url=https://media.otterbox.com/2022-08-08-New-OtterBox-Protection-Program-Launching#:~:text=OtterBox%20has%20launched%20a%20new,protection%20to%20your%20device%20screen.&text=FORT%20COLLINS%2C%20Colo.%2C%20Aug,protection%20to%20your%20device%20screen. }} for all new cases.
Honors and awards
In 2012, the company was named one of the Best Medium Workplaces by Great Place To Work.
Otter Cares
The Otter Cares Foundation primarily focuses on grants for education, non-profits, and communities.{{Cite web |title=Our Grant Program |url=https://ottercares.org/grants |access-date=2024-03-28 |website=OtterCares |language=en-US}}
References
{{reflist|30em}}
External links
- {{official website|http://otterbox.com/}}
Category:Manufacturing companies established in 1998