Shock Doctor, Inc.

Company History

Shock Doctor, Inc., headquartered in Plymouth, Minnesota, is a widely recognized brand leader that uses innovative design and superior technology to provide greater protection and enhanced performance for people who are passionate about their sports. In addition to a full line of patented, technologically-advanced mouthguards, Shock Doctor offers a comprehensive line of innovative performance products, including core protective gear for hockey, football and baseball, lacrosse equipment, and bio-mechanic insoles.

Originally established as E-Z GARD Industries, Inc., the company was the first to significantly redesign the conventional, single layer mouthguard used in America since the 1940's. From the start, the company's products were designed with extensive research, design and development. Working directly with dentists, orthodontists, oral surgeons, professional athletes, parents and kids helped determine how to improve both the safety benefits and comfort features needed in a mouthguard.

The result, in 1993, was the introduction of the company's signature product -- the Shock Doctor mouthguard. Billed as the "first engineered mouthguard," the product quickly became an essential piece of equipment for thousands of amateur and professional athletes. Its revolutionary, five-way protection system and patented shock absorbing Kraton® pads offered improved protection against teeth, jaw, TM joint and concussions, while providing more comfort and convenient features than conventional mouthguards.

Investing in extensive product testing and grass-roots education positioned the company at the forefront of the growing mouthguard revolution. Their innovative design technology helped them redefine the industry. The Shock Doctor mouthguard was the first to use a multi-layer design with an integrated shock-absorbing framework. Shock Doctor mouthguards were also the first mouthguards to utilize an over-molding manufacturing process. The brand was also the first to offer a dental warranty, as well as three different sizes for a more precise fit.

The Shock Doctor brand became so well recognized that, in 2000, the company officially changed its name to Shock Doctor, Inc. The company continued to drive the mouthguard marketplace, rapidly becoming the dominant player with 10 years of consistent sales and profitability growth, and establishing a technology leadership position with over 14 patents.

With their established reputation as a leader in shock protection in the sporting goods industry, Shock Doctor, in 2001, began development of two new product lines – bio-mechanic insoles and core protective gear. Directed by their business model of focusing on underdeveloped product categories, the company first applied their design, technology and branding strength to the footbed marketplace. Their multi-layer, shock absorption design incorporated lightweight, durable EVA foam with strategically located rubber shock pads in an exo-skeletal frame. This patent-pending design completely supports the foot and enhances the natural shock absorption qualities of the bones, muscles and tissues -- far surpassing existing "single function" insoles.

Turning next to a category that had lacked technological design advances for more than 50 years, Shock Doctor designed an innovative, high-impact protective flex athletic cup. Featuring a multi-stage impact design that compresses and flexes to disperse impact force, the product combines a floating impact shield within a flexible TPR rubber frame. Going one step further to enhance comfort and protection, the company created a line of specially-designed core protective wear to ensure precise fit and improved performance.

Continuing to build on their legacy of developing premium innovative performance products, in July of 2005, Shock Doctor introduced a unique line of lacrosse protective gear featuring anatomical, super ventilated, shoulder pads, arm pads, gloves, and compression shorts designed with a unique patent-pending internal X-fit brief cup retention system for maximum protection and comfort.

In 2003, the company attracted the attention of Hillcrest Capital Partners, a Minneapolis-based a private equity investment firm. In a search for Minnesota-based companies with growth potential, they singled out Shock Doctor and, in June of that year, acquired the company as the second acquisition in their portfolio.

Shock Doctor products are offered through sporting goods dealers, catalogs and health care professionals throughout the U.S., Canada, Europe and Australia.