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Manufactures functional and solid constructed bags, apparel and footwear that looks good and lasts a lifetime
Focuses on community through the sponsorship of various events: Alleycat races, fundraisers for various causes, art shows and huge parties
The beginnings of Chrome Industries™, an ACCTivate! user and manufacturer of bags, shoes and apparel built to last for life, began in 1994 from a Boulder, Colorado garage.
A couple of guys were in need of tough, durable messenger bags, but couldn't find anything that met their standards, so they got the toughest materials they could find, went to their garage and began sewing.
The result — fully-functional, reliable messenger bags with liners made of tough vinyl fabric salvaged from old furniture, straps fashioned from functional seatbelts collected from used car lots and other rugged, industrial materials.
A business was born from that day and from the garage Chrome brought with them a valuable ethic for their business — "build functional products that people can rely on and do it well."
So to adhere to this ethic, their products are always built with the most rugged assembly of industrial materials and hardware available, and are guaranteed for life.
Just like the seat belt buckle found on all Chrome messenger bags, all parts of their products and the products themselves are anti-nonsense. Their products must have purpose and if they don't, they get rid of it.
The seat belt buckle came from the need for a tough quick release system on the front of the bag, so the bag wouldn't have to be pulled over the head and it has become their signature, branded piece.
After their success in Boulder in 1994, Chrome shortly opened a warehouse in Denver.
Now, Chrome Industries is headquartered in San Francisco, has a retail store there too, manufactures in Chico, California and has over 300 dealers nationally and internationally.
Their bag products currently include messenger bags, laptop bags, utility bags and backpacks. They also sell apparel and recently added footwear to their product line.
Chrome products are a big hit with bike messengers, urban cyclists and the urban community in general, especially those who commute on buses, trains, motorcycles, foot and bike, since the products are designed for getting around town.
Being that their target market is the community, Chrome finds it important to get out into the community and be there for the people who have helped them become a success and who continue to support them.
Chrome sponsors many events, from local Alleycat (bike) races all over the country, in which they've already sponsored about 50 this month, to various events in their San Francisco store – all open to the community.
Many of their events raise money for causes, such as the recent art show, ARTCRANK San Francisco 2009 held at the Chrome retail store. From the bike inspired artwork sales, Chrome donated money to Bikes to Rwanda, a program that provides cargo bicycles to co-operative coffee farmers in Rwanda.
A successful business grew out of necessity and Chrome takes to heart what mattered in the garage — "Building products that work and standing behind everything we make."
Read how Chrome utilizes online and mobile channels to manage their business with the help of ACCTivate! inventory management software for QuickBooks.
For more information about Chrome Industries visit their website.
