A Q&A with the OtterBusiness COO on the industrial market, technology and sustainability

Otter Products, the manufacturer of OtterBox, recently created a new business unit focused exclusively on serving global commercial markets to support a significant increase in demand. Berkley Fuller joined Otter as its Chief Commercial Officer to lead the newly created organization.

ISHN asked Fuller some questions related to the new unit as well as the industrial segment.

Q: What was the mindset behind creating the new global commercial business unit?

A: This is an exciting time for OtterBusiness and I’m honored to be part of such an innovative team. OtterBusiness is the commercial division of Otter Products, the creator of OtterBox, the No. 1 most trusted smartphone case brand in the U.S. We created this new unit to allow us to open the aperture beyond protective cases to encompass full solutions that serve global enterprise and public sector markets. The creation of OtterBusiness and our investments in commercial products are a strong signal to our customers and the commercial marketplace that we've listened and we're building the team that will bring differentiated commercial solutions to scale worldwide.

Q: How has the industrial segment grown in recent years and where do you see it heading?

A: The industrial segment has been growing at a rapid pace over the past several years. This growth presents new opportunities as digital innovations continue to reshape capabilities within the energy and manufacturing industries, particularly. Implementing the right mobile technology solutions for a connected workforce has tremendous upsides in terms of safety and efficiency, but also presents potential risks. Historically, these industries were forced to remain paper-based in their operations due to the workplace's regulatory requirements. With the rapid advancement in technology, the industrial segment can now begin to incorporate different mobile tools into their workflows.

This is where OtterBusiness comes in with our industry-first Hardline Series, specifically designed to keep workers in industrial settings connected and protected on the job. The newest addition to the portfolio is Hardline Series for iPhone 14. This device-integrated protective solution is meticulously engineered to help safeguard workers and their devices, improving workplace safety and helping to ensure connectivity, even in the harshest working conditions. This expansion marks the world's first ATEX, IECEx and UL certified protective case and mobile phone solution for use in hazardous locations.¹

I’m confident that the industrial segment will only continue to grow and adapt to new technologies, and we’re listening to our customers' needs daily to make sure we continue to grow with them and create device protection that meets the needs of this crucial workforce.

Q: Where do you think the greatest need is for industrial customers? What sorts of products do they want?

A: Safe and reliable technology is one of the top considerations industrial customers are looking for as they purchase products for their businesses. When it comes to deciding on the right mobile technology for these hazardous locations, it is crucial to optimize worker safety, efficiency, and overall effectiveness in critical situations. Minimizing potential barriers to effective device use allows workers to focus on their tasks and respond successfully to any emergencies or challenges that may arise. We understand that initiating large-scale mobile tech adoption can be a big investment in time and resources, but it has proven to revolutionize leading companies by unleashing the potential of their workforce while enhancing safety.

Certifications are a crucial aspect of deploying the right mobile technology into these industries. When we began working with our partners in the industrial sector, we wanted to make sure we were doing things differently so that employee safety was at its strongest point. To do that, we knew that it was going to be about earning 3rd party certifications for those products we developed. Having this 3rd party certification is an immediate verification that these tools are ready to go for deployment in the field.

Here are a few tips on what to look for when industrial customers are deciding which mobile technology solutions are right for them:

Look for products that are certified for Hazardous environments by third party experts where safety is at the forefront.
Make sure it offers a user-friendly interface that can enhance productivity and give connected workers access to information, documents and applications quickly.
A comprehensive solution with a device-integrated case ensures the solution is designed specifically to enhance worker safety in rugged and hazardous environments. Our Hardline Series for both iPad and iPhone 14 come with a device integrated from an authorized reseller.

Learn more about our Hardline Series by visiting OtterBusiness.com.

Q: How do you plan to adapt to changes and evolving needs of your industrial customers?

A: We will continue to actively engage our customers in the field and evolve our portfolio based on their needs and unique requirements. From the start of developing our Hardline Series, our team members were on the job site of these industries understanding the intricacies and daily operations. By having this opportunity to work directly with the end users, we heard from them directly what they needed and how it could benefit them with their work. We took that data and applied it directly to the design process.

At the start of every conversation there was an understanding that safety is paramount. We took that task seriously and adopted a culture of safety internally for our organization. Embedded in every step of our process for product development, testing and deployment is a culmination of us working side by side with our industry partners to develop a tool that helped enhance worker safety, improved productivity and boosted efficiency across their operations.

Q: Otter Products has mentioned a commitment to sustainability. How do you envision incorporating sustainability practices into operations or business strategies?

A: Sustainability is always at the forefront of our minds when creating new products, and it’s engraved in our DNA as a company. We earned our reputation building reliable, long-lasting mobile accessories that can take a thrashing and last longer so that less end up in the trashcan.

Here are a few small ways we practice a commitment to sustainability:

By safeguarding technology in hazardous locations, we’re eliminating the need for paper trails and offering front-line workers a way to stay connected with mobile devices.
Our distribution centers recycle more than 80% of their scrap, diverting 500,000+ pounds from landfills last year.
Roughly 50% of the plastics used in our most popular designs are recycled.
30% cut in emissions by using recycled instead of virgin plastic.
Packaging contains nearly no plastic and is curbside-bin recyclable.

Even with these contributions, there is always room for improvement. Which is why we’re committed to continuing to explore how we can build smarter, run leaner and be a greener brand.