Historically, a downturn in the economy leads to an upswing in crime. That trend is helping Huntington Beach-based Mesa Safe Co. grow.
The designer and seller of safes used to store valuables is looking to hit $10 million in sales this year, up from $2.8 million last year.
Cuban-born owner George L. Vicente said the market as a whole has been benefiting from an increase in theft and burglary.
Less trust in banks from customers has been another factor, he said, as some of his customers opt to keep more cash at home.
Beyond a recessionary boost, the company grew sales when it transitioned from selling exclusively online to selling the safes in big-box stores, including Costco, Sam’s Club, OfficeMax and Staples, among others. Mesa Safe has no stores of its own.
“Once our sales were proven online, we started shipping to stores,” Vicente said.
Mesa Safe has about 40 different models that range in price from $250 to $5,000, with fireproof safes pushing the price up.
Vicente cut his teeth as a locksmith early in his career and then turned that knowledge into a business when he started Mesa Safe in 2003.
“At first I thought I’d make an extra $2,000 a month online as a side business,” he said. “To my amazement it took off.”
Initially, he sold established brands and then later began designing his own.
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| Four Door Media’s computer mouse: Chevy Camaro one of most popular sellers |
Mesa safes are manufactured in China and South Korea.
Vicente is looking to move out of his 25,000-square-foot warehouse into a place twice as big, he said.
The company has about 25 workers and will hire more as sales rise, Vicente said.
“It’s been a challenge keeping up with inventory,” he said.
Landscape Cos. Adapting
Tustin-based Mission Landscape Co. has been changing gears to deal with the economy.
The 39-year-old landscaping design and maintenance company saw about 10% of its sales disappear last year as corporate clients cut back on services.
Mission Landscape’s core business has changed from architectural sales to maintenance of properties, where it counts retail buildings, apartments, offices and homeowners associations as customers.
It’s expecting another 10% drop this year with sales of about $30 million. It’s laid off about 100 to bring its total to 500.
New projects are focused on saving water as customers scale back on extravagant landscapes.
To do this means re-designing properties with smaller lawns and plants that don’t need much water.
“This is what people are looking for nowadays,” said Chief Executive Dave DuBois.
Last year the company also bought the landscape architecture company Landarcwest of Irvine for an undisclosed amount.
The 28-person landscape architecture firm, which has about $4 million in yearly revenue, also has been challenged in the economy.
DuBois said the deal benefited both companies by expanding their networks to tap potential sales.
Another acquisition is likely to happen this year as the company looks for other ways to grow, he said.
The company wants to expand into San Diego and grow its current base of customers in Orange County and Los Angeles.
Some of its better-known customers include Irvine Company, for which it worked on the entry for its Resort at Pelican Hill project, Lyon Properties Inc. of Bethesda, Md., and Shea Properties, a unit of J.F. Shea Co. of Walnut.
Mission Landscape was founded by Charles Wayne DuBois, Dave’s fath-er. Dave took over in 1992, when half of the company’s shares were sold to the employees.
Novelty Mice
General Motors Corp. may have gone under, but sales of computer mice fashioned after its brands have been booming for Dana Point-based Four Door Media Inc.
Since launching at the beginning of last year, business for the car-shaped computer mice maker has doubled each quarter, according to Chief Executive Dan Cwieka.
Last year it did $3.5 million in sales, he said.
The idea for the company came after Cwieka, a former car salesman, was working with a partner who developed a computer that looked like a car.
“I thought we’d be better off making the mice,” he said. “They carry a larger profit margin.”
The realistic designs modeled after dozens of brands are sketched locally and sent off to China for production.
Chevy Camaros and Corvettes, Ford Mus-tangs and a Dodge police car have been the biggest sellers.
Wireless versions cost about $45 on average and wired ones run about $35, he said.
“The more details, the more expensive,” Cwieka said.
Licenses for each model are negotiated with the makers.
The company hasn’t spent much on advertising, and instead it’s letting things grow by word of mouth, Cwieka said.
The products are being sold mostly online at sites such as Amazon.com.
About 70% of the sales are in the U.S., with about 60% of the buyers being men, he said.
The company was launched with a $500,000 investment from family and friends.
