Consumer Goods

Otterbox Corporate Office

OtterBox was founded in 1991 by Curt Richardson. Working out of his garage, he made a completely waterproof box for electronics. After realizing that many electronics would need cases to protect them, he started his own company in 1998. His first products were created for iPods.

OtterBox makes cases and covers for most electronics, including cell phones and tablets. The company sells its cases in almost every electronic store, department store, as well as most online retailers, such as Amazon, Samsung, Google, and Apple. The company acquired case manufacturer LifeProof 2013.

The company has grown tremendously, going from 70 employees in 2009 to more than 550 employees in 2015 and increasing annual revenue from $347 million in2011 to $2 billion in 2015.

OtterBox

The company has grown tremendously, going from 70 employees in 2009 to more than 550 employees in 2015 and increasing annual revenue from $347 million in2011 to $2 billion in 2015.

History

Zazzle Corporate Office

Zazzle was founded in 2005 by Robert, Bobby, and Jeffrey Beaver in the family garage. The company allows clients to create or “borrow” designs and pictures, then place them on the desired items, such as coffee mugs, T-shirts, and keychains.

The company received their first cash influx of $16 million from Google investors, and an additional investment in 2007 of $30 million. The company was recognized in 2010 by Lead411 on their list of Hottest Silicon Valley Companies. Zazzle claims to have more than 300 million unique products listed on their site.

Zazzle has partnered with numerous brands and has access to digital images from such companies as Hallmark and Disney. The company also offers embroidered items and digital printing for items such as wedding or baby shower invitations.

Zazzle

History

Home South Corporate Office

Home South was founded in 2013, as an offshoot of Carolina Pottery Stores. The company operates a chain of furniture and home decor stores in the Southern part of the US.

The parent store, Carolina Pottery, wanted to create a store that focused more on outdoor furniture and patio items. There are currently 2 locations in North Carolina. The company has stated that it is looking to double the number of Home South stores in the next few years.

Carolina Pottery was founded in 1983 and has 5 locations in 2 states, which are North Carolina and Georgia. Company headquarters is located in Smithfield, North Carolina.

Home South

Home South was founded in 2013, as an offshoot of Carolina Pottery Stores. The company operates a chain of furniture and home decor stores in the Southern part of the US.

Carolina Pottery was founded in 1983 and has 5 locations in 2 states, which are North Carolina and Georgia. Company headquarters is located in Smithfield, North Carolina.

History

Simmons Bedding Company Corporate Office

Simmons Bedding was founded in 1870 when Zalmon Simmons opened his first factory. Simmons did not start off making mattresses, however, but he started with telegraph insulators and boxes for cheese. As repayment for a debt, someone gave Simmons the patent for bedsprings. By 1889, Simmons was manufacturing mattresses with built in bedsprings. Simmons is one of the oldest companies in the US.

Today, the company is best known for their Beauty Rest brand of mattresses. In 2013, the company had annual revenue of $1.228 billion, which puts Simmons in 3rd place among mattress sales. In 2012, both Serta and Simmons were acquired by the private equity group Advent International.

Simmons and Serta account for a 34 percent share of the mattress market in the US, however, there are currently no plans to combine the two companies. Advent International maintains that the companies will maintain separate research, marketing, and developing departments.

Simmons Bedding

History

Reebok Corporate Office

Reebok was founded in 1958 in Bolton, England, by the two sons of a famous shoemaker, Joe and Jeff Foster. The name Reebok comes from a South African antelope. The company designs and sells footwear, especially athletic footwear, as well as sportswear.

Adidas acquired the company in 2005. In 2010, the company formed a partnership with CrossFit, a fitness company, introducing a line of footwear and apparel in 2011. The company’s partnership with Les Mills has resulted in a popular shoe called the Z series; a dense midsole and outer sole that prevents the breakdown of foam.

The UFC announced a 6-year contract with Reebok in 2015. Reebok also provides shoes to some famous sports teams and athletes, including Las Chivas, a soccer club in Mexico, basketball great Shaquille O’Neal, and all NHL hockey teams.