Top iPhone and iPad accessory makers Otterbox and Mophie both conducted job cuts this week, according to a pair of tips we received from a source. The source said that Otterbox cut 80 jobs, while Mophie let go of 60 employees. Both Otterbox and Mophie confirmed the job cuts to us today, with Otterbox claiming that its number was less than the 80 our source mentioned.
From an Otterbox spokesperson:
These changes are the result of our ongoing strategic review process. Otter Products recently decided to streamline operations in a few areas of the business, some redundancies were identified and a small number of roles were eliminated. Otter Products remains committed to continued growth as well as to being an engaged member of the communities in which we operate.
Mophie did not comment on exact numbers, but its Vice President of Marketing Ross Howe confirmed the workforce changes with the following statement:
An internal audit revealed our rapid growth created redundancies between our engineering and quality control staff in Asia and the United States. As a result, we streamlined our staff on Thursday to rebalance our workforce and increase operational efficiency.
The two competitors in the Apple accessory market are not partners, so the similar cuts appear to simply be a coincidence. However, both Otterbox and Mophie reducing its staff numbers could indicate growing financial problems in the Apple accessory marketplace.
Apple’s own stores have begun reducing the number of accessories carried, and Apple has taken greater control of the accessory market by redesigning packaging, instating environmental requirements, and preventing cases from being designed based on leaks.
Prior to the cuts, Otterbox said it had 1000 employees, while over 200 employees for Mophie are listed on LinkedIn.
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Because we are so fucking overpriced and most of the customers are not stupid.
You can say that again
Exactly, Corporate a holes prefer to fire people than reduce profit margins, 149 dlls for a mophie space? I would have gotten the next iphone up if I wantet to spend that money.
You’d be on the next tier and half way to the top tier in storage by paying an extra $150!
I bought a cheap-o iPhone6 battery case (NexGen? I can’t remember), and I’m pretty sad with my purchase. My iPhone5 had a nice Mophie case where I could slide in/out the phone in seconds. The new case has to literally be peeled off my iPhone and it takes time.
Also it’s battery is weak and only lasts 1.3 charges.
Sometimes you do get what you pay for.
Both of them also put a lot of resources on Samsung’s Galaxy Line. Since we all know that they aren’t selling as before maybe the cuts are related to that group and not necesarly on the Apple accesories side.
WTF does Ottobox need 1000 staff??
Bent iPhones do not fit these cases :-)
Apple is DOOMED™
Two words: Tech21 and Anker
otterbox is the worst case company at this time…. try lithonic rugged case.
Can’t they be more competitive?
Otter’s cases suck! I have an iPhone 6 Plus and I am waiting for my THIRD defender case for it. None of the ones I have gotten have a useable screen protector. I ask had to pay for shipping for them to replace their defective case. It is coming from Denver, and shipping to Louisiana. The original delivery date has gone from 7 days to 9!!! To get from Colorado to Louisiana!!! It’s a 17 hour trip!! NINE DAYS!! They bought Lifeproof, and stopped making the Fre’ case for the 6 plus. And they are not going to offer the Fre’. I emailed them and asked. They have been living on their name for a few years, and it is starting to show.
Check out Patchworks ITG Level the first case engineered for glass and the slimmest mil-spec case available. They are #1 in Japan for glass and pioneered the industry. The bundle for glass and case is only $44.95. patchworks.us
overpriced cases that will be obsolete in 6mos anyway..
i had been in accessory business. It was already saturated market. However Otterbox and mophie was dominated the market. Otterbox protective way , Mophie with better battery life. Iphone 6plus doesn’t need extra battery anymore. Otherbox is too junkie for iphone 6plus . you can’t hold the phone with that junkie cases. Anyway. I believe mophie is in more danger bcs phones are getting better battery life and within 2 years battery issue will be obsolete.