OtterBox Perseveres in Tough Economy

Fort Collins. COLO. – Despite current economy downturn, OtterBox, a locally owned and operated Fort Collins company, continues to grow and prosper. Built upon CEO and founder Curt Richardson’s dream of creating a company based on innovation, OtterBox offers premier protective solutions for mobile electronic devices. In the coming year, OtterBox plans to release 40 to 60 new products and increase staff by around 20 new people.

“Customer feedback has always been a key to success for OtterBox and without it we wouldn’t be where we are today,” said Curt Richardson, CEO. “By listening to requests, gathering data and conducting surveys, we can better understand the needs of our customers and have expanded our product lines. We now have a greater market reach from the casual to the most extreme user by offering the skin-like Impact Series™, drop and scratch-proof Defender Series™ and fully rugged, waterproof Armor Series™. Other case lines are in the works so we are continually evolving and changing to meet customers’ needs.”

Central to OtterBox’s continued success has also been the ability to forge and strengthen strategic business relationships. Working with large distributors like Tessco and Ingram Micro has helped the company streamline their sales process and access new markets. Partnerships with key OEMs including RIM, Palm®, HP and others have allowed OtterBox to stay on the cutting edge of innovation by offering cases for the latest devices on the market.

Collaborations with national wireless carriers such as AT&T, Verizon, Sprint and T-Mobile, as well as several international carriers including TELUS, Bell Canada, Rogers Communications and Orange have helped expand OtterBox’s customer base and provide wireless consumers convenient and reliable protection for their devices.

“OtterBox has both a national and worldwide presence. From the US to Europe, Asia, South America and Canada, we are reaching out to develop relationships with key distributors, carriers and OEMs,” explains Richardson. “Even within the first two months this year we’ve hit our anticipated revenue, a promising sign in the current economy.”

Another large area of growth for the company in 2008 was internet sales, which increased 88 percent over 2007 thanks to support from online customers, product reviews driving traffic to the site, social media outreaches as well as the implementation of a successful affiliate marketing program.

“We want our website not only to be a place where customers can go to buy our products, but also a site that people can visit to learn more about OtterBox and to interact with the company itself as well as other customers around the world,” said Director of Marketing, Mike Soderholm.

One feature of the website that encourages interaction is Planet OtterBox. Customers can submit photos and stories from around the world, sharing how OtterBox products have saved their valuables from adventures and active lifestyles. Each month, the best photo submission wins their choice of a $100 cash prize or $150 online shopping spree at www.otterbox.com.

Another way OtterBox is connecting with customers is by sharing promotions, company sponsorships, office happenings or interesting information through their blog. You can also stay informed with what OtterBox is up to by following the company on Twitter or becoming a fan of the new OtterBox page on Facebook®.

“Overall, I don’t see OtterBox slowing down in the future. We are continuing towards success by establishing systems and processes which are critical to our development and will help us build a strong foundation for growth,” Richardson said.

Looking toward the future, customer feedback and support will continue to be a key factor in the company’s success. “OtterBox is where it is today because of loyal customer support,” Richardson said. “We can attribute our continued growth to the dedication of our hardworking employees, but also to those customers who believe in OtterBox as much as we do.”

About OtterBox:

Founded in 1996, OtterBox is highly respected in the design and production of rugged and semi-rugged cases to safeguard technology and other valuables.

Built upon fundamentals of hard work, creativity and perseverance, OtterBox is the innovator of premier protective solutions for leading global handheld manufacturers, wireless carriers and distributors.