Crocs: Difference between revisions
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Crocs has been the title sponsor of the [[Association of Volleyball Professionals]] (AVP) Tour since [[2006]]. |
Crocs has been the title sponsor of the [[Association of Volleyball Professionals]] (AVP) Tour since [[2006]]. |
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==Manufacture and patents== |
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In June 2004, Crocs purchased Foam Creations and their manufacturing operations to secure exclusive rights to the proprietary [[foam]] [[resin]] "croslite", which is made using [[ethylene vinyl acetate]]<ref>{{cite web|last=Maniscalco |first=Michelle| title=E-shots Web-exclusive: Patent check: What's in a Croc? |publisher=Injection Molding Magazine |url=http://www.immnet.com/articles=?article=3109 |date=[[March]], [[2007]] |accessdate=2007-07-31}}</ref><ref>{{cite patent|US|6993858}}</ref>. The foam forms itself to a wearer's feet and offers purported medical benefits, according to a number of [[podiatrist]]s.<ref name="huget">{{cite news |url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/31/AR2006073100890.html |title="Not Such A Croc" |publisher=Washington Post |pages=HE01 |date=[[1 August]] [[2006]] |accessdate=2007-08-13}}</ref><ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20060629020346/http://biz.yahoo.com/e/060331/crox10-k.html Form 10-K for Crocs Inc. (archive)] Crocs 2006 Annual Report. Yahoo!Finance. March 31, 2006. accessed [[2007-04-29]].</ref> |
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Crocs holds four patents covering various utility aspects of its footwear, U.S. Patent No. [http://v3.espacenet.com/textdoc?DB=EPODOC&IDX=US6993858 6993858] B2 issued February 7, 2006, and U.S. Patent Nos. [http://v3.espacenet.com/textdoc?DB=EPODOC&IDX=USD517788 D517788,], [http://v3.espacenet.com/textdoc?DB=EPODOC&IDX=USD517789 D517789] and [http://v3.espacenet.com/textdoc?DB=EPODOC&IDX=USD517790 D517790] issued on March 28, 2006. The Company also announced that it has filed complaints with the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) and the U.S. Federal District Court against 11 companies that manufacture, import or distribute products that Crocs believes infringe its patents.<ref>[http://sec.edgar-online.com/2006/08/14/0001104659-06-054218/Section13.asp CROCS, INC. |
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Form:10-Q] Filing Date:8/14/2006.</ref> |
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==Acquisitions== |
==Acquisitions== |
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Revision as of 23:26, 3 November 2007
| File:Crocs logo.PNG | |
| Company type | Public |
|---|---|
| Industry | Wholesale Trade, Retail & Consumer Services, Clothing & Clothing Accessories |
| Founded | 2002 |
| Headquarters | Niwot, Colorado |
| Products | shoes |
| Revenue | US$354.7 (mil.) (2006) |
| US$95.6 (mil.) (2006) | |
| US$64.4 (mil.) (2006) | |
Number of employees | 1130 (2006) |
| Website | www.crocs.com |
Crocs Inc. (Nasdaq: CROX) is an American company founded by Lyndon "Duke" Hanson, Scott Seamans, and George Boedecker[1] in July 2002. Based in Boulder, Colorado, the firm was created to market a lightweight plastic shoe first developed and manufactured by Foam Creations Inc.[1] of Quebec.
Originally intended as a boating/outdoor shoe because of its slip-resistant, non-marking sole, Crocs introduced its first model, the Crocs Beach, in November 2002 at the Ft. Lauderdale Boat Show, selling out the 200 pairs produced at that time.[2]
Despite only a small marketing campaign, Crocs became popular in the United States and elsewhere because of word-of-mouth praise for their comfort, bright colors, light weight (about six ounces), and unique design.
As of 2007, the product line has remained popular, indicated by high sales growth, and has the characteristics of a sustained fad, with both ardent support[3] and disapproval.[4]
Crocs has been the title sponsor of the Association of Volleyball Professionals (AVP) Tour since 2006.
crap
Acquisitions
On October 3 2006, Crocs purchased Jibbitz, a manufacturer of accessories that snap into the holes in Crocs, for US$20 million after co-founder Hanson met the seven-year-old daughter of Jibbitz founder Sheri Schmelzer at a public swimming pool. Jibbitz retail for about US $2.50 to $3.00 per charm. They can be purchased at Dick's Sporting Goods, Macy's, Journey's, www.jibbitz.com. Many new designs can be seen on the website, viewers can also write on the Jibbitz blog with new and interesting ideas. [5]
On July 30 2007, Crocs purchased Washington-based Bite, Inc. Founded in 1996, Bite invented the golf sandal and now supplies innovative products to the golf, running, fishing, and disc golf industries. Crocs will incorporate their Croslite material into the soles of the golf shoes, running shoes, sandals,etc. This acquisition gives Crocs a direct shot at the running shoe market, targeting Nike Inc. and Adidas in the process.
Health and safety
Shoes such as Crocs and flip-flops came under scrutiny in 2006 when children suffered injuries after the shoes became caught in escalator mechanisms.[6] This was due to the softness of the shoe's material combined with the relatively smaller size of children's feet.[7]
Rapid City Regional Hospital in Rapid City, South Dakota changed its dress code in 2007 to prohibit the sandal variants, along with those with Jibbitz holes, citing safety concerns, but still allowed closed-top "Professional" and the healthcare focused "Rx" Crocs to be worn.[8] Blekinge hospital in Sweden has banned the wearing of "Foppatoffels" (Swedish nickname derived from the owner of the company that imports the shoes, Peter "Foppa" Forsberg) by hospital staff, due to the concern that the shoes may build up static electricity and thus interfere with electronic equipment.[9][10]
Fashion and media
While some regard Crocs shoes as comfortable and colorfully decorated, others see them as a fashion disaster, and a sub culture has emerged of people who vocally oppose the shoes. A Washington Post article described the phenomenon: "Nor is the fashion world enamored of Crocs. Though their maker touts their 'ultra-hip Italian styling,' lots of folks find them hideous."[11] A blog named "I Hate Crocs dot com." follows Croc opponents periodically.[4] The shoes have been targets of satire: on Real Time with Bill Maher, Maher called for a "New rule: stop wearing plastic shoes," over a photo of Crocs,[12] and The Daily Show "Senior Public Restroom Correspondant" Rob Corddry, following up on the Senator Larry Craig June 2007 lewd conduct arrest, "reported" that anyone wearing Crocs is signalling "anything goes."[13] Commentators have noted that social networking sites are collectively allowing individuals to share their distaste for Crocs[14]. Satirist Maddox has also bashed crocs on his website, stating that "the only thing that goes with Crocs is social ostracism."
Products
Crocs come in a variety of styles. They are usually manufactured in China, but they are also made in Florida (USA), Canada, Mexico, Romania and Italy.[citation needed]
The shoes are produced in a variety of colors depending on the model. The Beach and Cayman styles are available in more than 20 colors; most other styles are produced in a palette of four to six colors or two-color combinations.
References
- ^ When Crocs attack, an ugly shoe tale Diane Anderson, Business 2.0 Magazine (CNNMoney.com), November 3, 2006, accessed February 2, 2007.
- ^ Fashion Attack, Elizabeth Wellington, Philadelphia Inquirer, 2007-07-05. Retrieved 2007-08-25.
- ^ crocfans.com CrocFans website.
- ^ a b "I Hate Crocs dot com". Retrieved 2007-08-13.
- ^ Big Ideas, Big Bucks, The Birth of Jibbitz Oprah.com, Feb 2,2007, accessed Feb. 2, 2007.
- ^ Crocs can pose a danger on escalators ABC News. Kate Snow, October 5, 2006, accessed 2007-04-19.
- ^ Experts recommend caution while wearing clogs WMC-TV Memphis Tennessee. September 21, 2006, accessed 2007-04-19.
- ^ Holey Crocs get the boot at Regional Hospital Mary Garrigan, Rapid City Journal, February 1, 2007, accessed 2007-04-18.
- ^ Swedish hospital to ban 'Foppatoffels' The Local(Sweden), April 18, 2007, accessed on April 20, 2007.
- ^ Plastic clogs disrupt machinery in Swedish hospital Guardian Unlimited (AP), April 19, 2007, accessed April 19, 2007.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
hugetwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "August 24, 2007". Real Time with Bill Maher. Season 10. Episode 1. 2007-08-24. 51.5 minutes in. HBO.
{{cite episode}}: Unknown parameter|serieslink=ignored (|series-link=suggested) (help) "It was only a year ago when only pre-schoolers and mental patients wore these. But now grownups, all over America, have gone Croc crazy. The latest step in our unending quest to dress as casually as humanly possible. You know, I used to wear flip-flops, but they were a little dressy. I want clothing I can hose down! Admit it: we're a nation of slobs who won't be happy until we can go to the mall in a diaper." - ^ "September 10, 2007". The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. 2007-09-10. 10 minutes in. Comedy Central.
{{cite episode}}: Unknown parameter|serieslink=ignored (|series-link=suggested) (help) "...Oh, and Jon, anyone in those brightly colored plastic Crocs? That means anything goes. We're talking hardcore ass-[censored] stuff - scat play. And Jon, that's not just in bathrooms. Anytime you see anyone wearing crocs, be aware. ... If they're wearing Crocs, they are soliciting incredibly depraved gay sex. You can take that to the bank." - ^ Croc On; Rob Walker, New York Times Magazine, 2007-07-15
External links
