Osprey Packs, Inc. is highly effective at driving alignment between its operating and business models. The company designs and produces packs for the outdoors. The company is known for its innovative design; high-quality, custom-fit products; and love for adventure. It successfully drives alignment under the leadership of its founder and by prioritizing those values of innovation, quality, and devotion.<\/p>\n
The Operating Model<\/u><\/p>\n
Close collaboration between the design and production teams<\/em><\/p>\n Since its inception, founder and current head designer Mike Pfotenhauer has emphasized the importance of keeping the design team and production team working in close collaboration. He identifies that Osprey secures a competitive advantage by having the design team and production team interact directly: oftentimes, pack designs modeled by the design team are practical, but simple alteration found by people building the pack make the packs easier and faster to sew [1]. The greater simplicity can lead to fewer defects while the increased speed can lead to higher capacity in production.<\/p>\n Maintaining this operating model was not always easy. The company was originally headquartered in Colorado. However, they moved manufacturing overseas in 2001 after facing extreme industry pressures to lower sourcing and production costs [2]. The company valued maintaining this operating model so heavily that Mike moved his family to Vietnam and lived there for 4 years in order to establish the new product development office. His goal was to keep the design and production teams in close proximity\u00a0and collaboration.<\/p>\n Iterative product development and tight quality controls<\/em><\/p>\n The office in Vietnam now employs 30 people who are responsible for everything \u201cthat is needed to get the products produced and shipped from the factories\u201d [3]. They work in three specific areas. First, the Design and Sampling team works with Mike to develop new concepts that are iteratively prototypes and tested in a dedicated sample room. Samples can be remade in as little as one day, and the designs are continuously improved until they are ready for market. Second, the Industrializing team prepares the design for mass production. They specify materials and construction techniques and they test for production efficiency and product durability. Lastly, the Quality Control team includes five inspectors who test production within the factories on a daily basis. They check the products as well as the systems in the factors that monitor and control standards.<\/p>\n Strong relationships with dealers<\/em><\/p>\n Osprey sells packs to its end consumers only through certified Osprey dealers. Osprey maintains this network of dealers, and provides them with tools to add more value to the end customer. For example, a special tier of dealers, or Custom Fit Specialist dealers, staff an Osprey Certified Fit Specialist who can help customers find and adjust the right pack. The dealers may also own Osprey ovens, which allow customers to mold the pack belt specifically to their body shapes. Moreover, 90% of Osprey packs come in multiple sizes in order to fit various torso lengths [4]. Women\u2019s packs are also designed to be narrower and to push the load of the pack to the hips. All certified Osprey dealers have Osprey Pack Sizers, or fit tools, that help customers find the best size for them.<\/p>\n Osprey further develops its relationships with its dealers by bringing a group of them to visit its factory facilities in Vietnam every few years. The goals of the visits are to give the retailers a chance to see how the packs are made and to understand the challenges of the process. During the trip, the dealers complete tasks at three stations in the production process and sew a pack together.<\/p>\n Compelling sponsorships of remarkable outdoor athletes<\/em><\/p>\n Osprey is well-known for having an authentic devotion to the outdoors and adventure. This positive brand equity serves as another competitive advantage, and it is maintained in large part through Osprey\u2019s sponsored athletes. Osprey showcases each athlete on its official website and reports on their impressive outdoor adventures on its official blog. For example, one Osprey athlete is Ben Clark, who summited Mount Everest when he was 23 to become the second youngest American to do so [5].<\/p>\n By maintaining this positive brand equity, Osprey attracts employees who are also devoted to the outdoors and adventure. Attracting passionate people is essential in Osprey\u2019s ability to keep creating innovative products for the outdoors. Moreover, due to its strong branding, Osprey can rely on word-of-mouth marketing over the more expensive mass marketing channels.<\/p>\n The Business Model<\/u><\/p>\n Wholesale model through certified Osprey dealers<\/em><\/p>\n As mentioned above, Osprey sells packs wholesale to its certified Osprey dealers. The dealers then sell the packs to the end consumers. Osprey packs fall into five categories: backpacks, everyday packs, hydration packs, child carriers, and kids\u2019 packs. On the lower end, the Daylight hiking pack is priced at $50 [6]. On the higher end, the Xenith 105 mountaineering pack is priced at $390 [6].<\/p>\n Lifetime \u201cAll Mighty Guarantee\u201d warranty for all customers<\/em><\/p>\n Osprey upholds its values of quality and devotion by offering a unique All Mighty Guarantee. The warranty states that \u201cwhether your pack was purchased in 1974 or yesterday, Osprey will repair any damage or defect for any reason free of charge.\u201d It is a life-time guarantee through which Osprey stands by its customers and communicates an appreciation for adventure and the outdoors.<\/p>\n Conclusion<\/u><\/p>\n In summary, Osprey Packs, Inc. is highly effective at driving alignment between its operating and business models, because both models adhere to the same set of core values. The company prioritizes innovative design; high-quality, custom-fit products; and love for adventure and the outdoors. The companies competitive advantages include efficient production<\/em> from a close collaboration between the design and production teams; strong brand equity <\/em>from compelling sponsorships of remarkable outdoor athletes and a unique lifetime warranty; and continuous innovation<\/em> from a dedicated founder and leader, an iterative concept development process, and the company\u2019s ability to attract talent that shares its devotion to the outdoors and adventure.<\/p>\n Sources<\/u><\/p>\n Osprey Packs, Inc. is highly effective at driving alignment between its operating and business models. The company designs and produces packs for the outdoors. The company is known for its innovative design; high-quality, custom-fit products; and love for adventure. 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