Through a recent licensing agreement, Wilmington-based DryCASE is producing a new product line that company officials say they think will open them up to new markets.
DryCASE, which produces waterproof cases for mobile phones, cameras and other equipment, is partnering with Mossy Oak, a company that develops modern camouflage patterns for hunters and other outdoorsy people. As a result, DryCASE can produce waterproof knapsacks and carryalls with Mossy Oak patterns to sell through sporting goods stores.
“We signed the license agreement and paid the licensing fee,” Roy Archambault, the company’s founder and CEO, said this week. “We can only use their patterns; they can only use us as their waterproof products manufacturer. People love their patterns.”
The two camouflage patterns included in the licensing agreement are Mississippi-based Mossy Oak’s Break Up Infinity and Shadow Grass Blades. The former pattern is popular with big game hunters; the latter is good for grassy environments such as those frequented by duck hunters.
Currently, DryCASE is producing packs and totes in the Shadow Grass Blades pattern. Archambault said that the company first produced its most popular knapsack with the camouflage material and is now producing other packs with the design. By the end of the year, the company hopes to have Break Up Infinity products available as well.
The new line allows DryCASE to get its products in front of new market segments, said company spokeswoman Colby Raker.
"Big chain outdoor retailers could be really powerful for our brand," she said.
Archambault agreed. "We're in Dick's [Sporting Goods] with our cases but not in their hunting department. We need to diversify. This is a good product and a good opportunity."
Like everything that DryCASE makes, the camouflage packs are waterproof, even if submerged for days, Archambault said.