Celebrating 15 Years, SeaSucker Dons Its Party Hat

Published: Friday, June 18, 2021

In 15 short years, SeaSucker has gone from launching as a single-product startup to becoming a leading accessory manufacturer posting record earnings and 100% growth figures. Thriving in a wide range of industries, its products use an innovative vacuum-mount technology that secures everything from beverages, fishing rods, and electronics onto boats to bicycles onto the tops of cars.

Like many businesses, SeaSucker was born of necessity. Founder and CEO Chuck Casagrande has a history of starting companies focused on new product design. When a portable deck chair wouldn't stay put, he got to work modifying it with industrial vacuum mounts. Seeing their incredible holding power sparked the idea of using them on a wider range of accessories, such as what would become the first SeaSucker product, the Cup Holder. Later, he adapted this vacuum-mount technology to a line of automotive bicycle racks so successful, they're used in the Tour de France.

"SeaSucker began as a hobby that grew into a company that many people now rely on," Casagrande said. "I'm the luckiest guy in the world to create a business out of my favorite pastimes: boating, fishing and cycling." The success results from a family effort; Casagrande's wife, Joyce, daughter, Genevieve, and brother, Gregg, all play vital roles in SeaSucker's finance, operations, and systems departments.

After reaching sales volume goals that gave it sound financial footing in 2018, SeaSucker entered a scaling phase. This included implementing lean manufacturing methodology, adding operational software, and expanding manufacturing space and workforce to parallel its exceptional growth. This same year, the company became ISO 9001:2015-certified.

"With more than 100% growth over the past year, our challenge now is keeping up with our success," said Genevieve Casagrande, President and COO. "The larger companies we work with like GM and Audi require a different level of organization and professionalism than we had 15 years ago. New OEM business in other industries will provide further opportunities to scale in the next few years." Genevieve moved from operations director to her current role in 2019.

Internally, SeaSucker is a highly efficient corporation. But what really resonates with its loyal and enthusiastic customer base is its irreverently fun side, most evident in its entertaining videos posted at www.youtube.com/SeaSuckerVideos.

"It's not work," said Chuck Casagrande. "It's just a hell of a lot of fun every day! We're avid boaters and cyclists; we can become giddy when one of our new products is well-received and becomes a success. And, we make it in the USA, baby!"

SeaSucker manufactures a broad array of freedom-inducing vacuum-mounted accessories that don't require drilling holes, using glue, or performing costly professional installation. Incredibly powerful, mounts hold up to an astounding 210 lbs. each. Built for continuous outdoor use, they're made from UV-stabilized materials and use only stainless steel hardware.

SeaSucker, LLC
1912 44th Ave E.
Bradenton, FL 34203
941-900-1850
[email protected]
www.seasucker.com
@SeaSucker | @seasucker | @SeaSuckerVideos