Skullcandy

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Skullcandy Inc.
Company typeSubsidiary
Industry Audio
Founded2003
FoundersRick Alden and Cris Williams
Headquarters Park City, Utah, U.S.
Key people
  • Brian Garofalow (CEO)
Products Headphones
Audio equipment, audio accessories
RevenueIncrease2.svg$266.3 million (2015) [1]
Owner Mill Road Capital [2]
Website www.skullcandy.com

Skullcandy Inc. is an American company based in Park City, Utah, that markets technology such as headphones, earphones, Bluetooth speakers and other products. [3]

Contents

The company was founded in 2003 and went public in 2011. It was acquired by Mill Road Capital for $196.9 million and the deal was finalized on October 3, 2016, making Skullcandy a wholly owned private subsidiary of that company. [2]

Products

A black Bluetooth budget headset known as Uproar Wireless by Skull Candy Uproar Wireless by Skull Candy.jpg
A black Bluetooth budget headset known as Uproar Wireless by Skull Candy

Skullcandy's products are primarily targeted at the outdoor action sports demographic (snowboarders, skateboarders, etc.) and the general consumer market, but they have expanded in recent years into the premium audio market with products such as the Crusher headphones. [4]

Over recent years, Skullcandy has launched a range of partnerships and collaborations that span audio and lifestyle brands, and influential individuals. The company has established technology partnerships with leading audio companies such as Bose and THX to integrate advanced sound features into its products. [5] [6] Additionally, the brand has launched limited-edition collections and collaborations, including with Burton, and Doritos. [7] [8]

Skullcandy products are sold through retailers, specialty outlets, corporate incentive programs and the company's online store. [9]

Company history

Rick Alden donating to Boarding for Breast Cancer charity in 2007 B4BC 2007 Donation.jpg
Rick Alden donating to Boarding for Breast Cancer charity in 2007

Skullcandy was founded by Rick Alden and Cris Williams in 2003. The first Skullcandy product, the Skullcandy Portable Link, was introduced at the 2003 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Nevada. The LINK system combines headphones with hands-free cellular technology, allowing users to listen to music from a portable audio device, while making and receiving calls through their cellphone. Skullcandy holds a patent for the wireless version of LINK technology. [10]

In December 2008, Skullcandy products were described as "the world's coolest ear buds" by Fortune magazine. [11]

In April 2011, Skullcandy purchased headphones manufacturer Astro Gaming from Astro Studios for an unknown amount of cash.

On January 28, 2011, Skullcandy filed for an initial public offering with the Securities and Exchange Commission. [12] This announcement was met with some criticism from the financial press. [13] [14]

On June 24, 2016, Incipio, a maker of phone cases, wireless speakers, and other accessories, announced plans to acquire Skullcandy for $177 million; however, the deal later fell through as Incipio refused to submit a proposed amendment to the merger agreement and Skullcandy terminated the agreement. [15] Skullcandy considered numerous other offers, eventually agreeing to be acquired by Mill Road Capital for $196.9 million at $6.35 per share. The deal was finalized and completed on October 3, 2016, and the company became a private business again. [2]

References

  1. ↑ "Skullcandy, Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter and 2015 Results (NASDAQ:SKUL)". Archived from the original on January 10, 2017. Retrieved January 9, 2017.
  2. 1 2 3 Berman, Laura (August 24, 2016). "Mill Road Capital victorious in Skullcandy bidding war". TheStreet. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
  3. ↑ Gardiner, Bryan (August 24, 2010). "The Secret Scam of Cheap Earbuds". Gizmodo. Retrieved August 27, 2015.
  4. ↑ "Skullcandy adds Scot Carlson as vice president of finance". Globalsurfnews.com. April 1, 2008. Retrieved April 5, 2008.
  5. ↑ Ware, Tony (April 18, 2025). "Skullcandy's new Method 360 ANC earbuds feel like a steal". Popular Science. Retrieved November 12, 2025.
  6. ↑ businesswire (December 5, 2024). "Skullcandy and THX Partner to Bring THX Spatial Audio to Music Lovers and Gamers on the Go". Silicon UK. Retrieved November 12, 2025.{{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  7. ↑ Ready, Adam (March 2, 2023). "SKULLCANDY AND BURTON REVEAL LIMITED-EDITION "THE WILD SIDE" COLLABORATION". insideKENT. Retrieved November 12, 2025.
  8. ↑ "Skullcandy and Doritos Announce New Collaboration | License Global". Archived from the original on December 8, 2024. Retrieved November 12, 2025.
  9. ↑ "Rymax Marketing Partners with Skullcandy for Incentive Products". ChiefMarketer. February 20, 2008. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
  10. ↑ Sorice, Cory (March 13, 2007). "Patent Monkey: Skullcandy Patents LINK between Cell Phone and iPod". TechCrunch. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
  11. ↑ Copeland, Michael (December 30, 2008). "The world's coolest ear buds". CNN. Retrieved May 23, 2010.
  12. ↑ "Form S1 for Skullcandy, Inc". SEC.gov. January 28, 2011. Retrieved February 15, 2011.
  13. ↑ Berman, Dennis (February 1, 2011). "Skullcandy IPO? Check Your Head". The Wall Street Journal . Retrieved February 15, 2011.
  14. ↑ "The Game: Skullcandy IPO is a Headscratcher". The Wall Street Journal. February 1, 2011.
  15. ↑ O'Kane, Sean (June 24, 2016). "Incipio is buying Skullcandy to expand its accessory empire" . Retrieved June 24, 2016.
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