Member Article

Snugs Earphones: The loudest player in the global audio market

In today’s smartphone dominated marketplace people have not just gone mobile but entertainment has too. The time-strapped commuters and morning joggers have all been staking their claim to the $15.05 billion head and earphones market . But what customers now want is a degree of personalisation in their products that not only gives them a fantastic listening experience but is completely tailored to their physiology. This is why custom-fit is key and with rapid advances in personalising digital technology, Snugs Earphones is leading the custom-fitted earphones technology wave.

It was while the company’s Founder Paul Jobin was working for one of Britain’s oldest audiology companies that the idea for Snugs was born. Paul realised the huge market of 3 billion smartphone users which he could tap into, with these users often demanding a premium listening experience as they go about their busy lives. Through Paul’s deep knowledge of market trends, Snugs Earphones has achieved 418% sales growth since 2013 but the success doesn’t stop there. The company now has a foothold in many international markets, including the USA and Singapore.

From its scenic base in Exmoor National Park and with a team of eight direct employees and 43 outsourced staff people behind it, Snugs Earphones has impressively cemented itself within the customs-fit earphones market. Its non-invasive, biometric 3D scans have crafted a completely personalised product.

Technology first approach

For the unknowing customer, custom fit usually means long appointments with an audiologist who would mould putty into your ears. However, after investing in market research, product testing and product development for five years Snugs Earphones understands where the market is going and more importantly how to navigate it.

Paul Jobin said, “Consumers want access to the latest and greatest technology. With our custom-fit earphones we have cornered the market.

“We have ensured that digital technology is applied through every stage of the process, with customers’ ears being scanned using the very latest biometric scanning techniques. This is then downloaded to a laptop in real time and then uploaded so manufacturing can begin immediately. We then manufacture it by a scaled-up version of 3D printing”, he continues.

Making the impersonal personal

The fact that Snugs Earphones physically interacts with the customer from the very start of their transaction is key to its success.

“Even though we’re based in the middle of nowhere, we understand the importance of having a connected presence. This is why we’re very active in London and can gain 3D scanned impressions of the customer’s ear there as well as through audiologists outside the London Area - we’re effectively making ‘Savile Row’ suits for the ears”.

Tuning in to a global market

Naturally, customers always want their goods to arrive quickly and safely which is why Snugs enlisted the expertise of global transportation provider, FedEx. Paul Jobin continued, “Every business has its fair share of challenges when it first starts out; whether that’s poor infrastructure or difficulties in shipping to important markets, it’s vital to get the right transportation provider. FedEx has undoubtedly helped us grow our company and helped us tap into markets which are picking up on the trend of custom-fit earphones”. We manufacture on three continents and ship to 43 countries all with FedEx.

When Snugs first started out, the delivery process for their products usually involved waiting in a long line at the post office before sending out the packages. Now they have a solid level of support from FedEx to ship their products overseas, allowing them to invest more time in the day-to-day running of the business and further capitalise on the market for custom-fit earphones.

For small businesses who want to expand globally, labelling has become an integral part of their supply chain management. To ensure uniformity and compliance with customer and regulatory demands, Snugs has benefited from FedEx streamlining the printing of their labels. They are also continuously looking at ways to streamline their deliveries by using their automated tools such as FedEx Ship Manager®.

“Sometimes all it takes is one ‘yes’ to catapult a business to success and that ‘yes’ came from FedEx. From day one, we recognised Snugs Earphones as a truly entrepreneurial business and wanted to help it grow. The fact that Snugs Earphones invested in a truly global player to build a global brand proved to be a huge asset to them”, says Gillian Abram, Senior Account Executive at FedEx Express.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by FedEx .