Always on the lookout for new adventures, Hypergear has grown beyond just waterproof bags into a popular lifestyle brand.
Homegrown Hypergear delivers stylish, high-quality gear for adventure seekers
STARTING out by producing and selling waterproof bags in Malaysia over a decade ago, Hypergear has become a pioneer in adventure gear, toted by scuba divers to off-road cyclists.
“We started out in 2009 after observing a gap in the market for travellers – a lack of protective bags for one’s gadgets and belongings that can withstand the elements.
This was how Hypergear came to life, by introducing waterproof phone pouches, bags and more recently, accessories such as hats and jackets,” shares Managing Director Jack Lee.
“I was travelling in Thailand when I first laid eyes on waterproof bags and this sparked the idea to bring it into the Malaysian market!”
Lee started from scratch – developing product Research & Development (R&D) to designing and creating the perfect waterproof bag.
Lee says that customer experience is the centre of Hypergear’s product innovation.
The idea was to create products that can protect valuables against harsh weather conditions, so that one can have peace of mind whether kayaking, hiking or travelling through rough terrain.
The Ark Team, a group of Sabah-based adventure enthusiasts are part of a growing community of Hypergear’s brand ambassadors
Their slogan "Get Out There" is a call to action for outdoor enthusiasts and adventure travellers. However, their products aren’t for just the wilderness.
Hypergear also caters to those looking for a durable everyday bag that is both stylish and functional, added Lee.
While Hypergear has become synonymous with adventure gear amongst Malaysians, Lee shared that the brand’s success did not come easy:
“Market education was initially very challenging, but customers began to trust us because of our product quality.”
In 2018, to expand its business presence online, Hypergear set up its social media channels.
As customers began sharing positive feedback, sales also increased in tandem.
The company beefed up digital marketing through its website, featuring blogs on scenic cycling trails in the Klang Valley, the best diving spots in Sabah and must-visit camping sites across Malaysia.
The brand also collaborated with influencers, which resonated with its consumers.
Brand ambassadors include passionate mountaineer Ravichandran Tharumalingam, freediver and professional mermaid trainer Dolphin Lee, and nemophilist Fitry Yusoff.
Lee says: “Our ambassadors embody the ethos of our brand.
They love the outdoors, have positive vibes and align with our company’s “Healthier People,
Better World” mission statement. I believe they help us inspire more people to stay active, and celebrate the beauty of nature.”
Via ambassador @Raymondwec’s Instagram: Feels great to be back to the nature after almost 18 months since the pandemic outbreak! Kickstarting this journey today exploring Penang Hill & Air Itam Dam together with Hypergear Smokey Black & Yellow 10L Dry bag & waterproof phone pouch. It’s durable, waterproof and convenient to carry around.
Moving forward in a lockdown
2020 was a tough year for retail businesses, but Hypergear put its best foot forward.
“During the lockdown, with customers stuck indoors, there was naturally limited use for our products.
” Lee shared. “We decided to take this opportunity to improve on our existing processes in logistics, inventory management and customer service, and spent more time on product development.”
Lee also cited that being an early adopter of digital tools, the team was able to collaborate, access and share data throughout the nation’s extended Movement Control Order.
Levelling up with Xero
Hypergear started out on a traditional trading model, selling limited stock to retailers.
Inventory management, bookkeeping and order sheets were all done on a desktop based system, and data entry was done manually.
Over time, as the brand expanded its retail channels to brick and mortar stores and B2C ecommerce sites, it realised it needed a more streamlined approach to its workflow.
It was around this time the brand turned to cloud accounting software Xero. “Xero is easy to use and the simplicity of the platform gives business owners like myself a clear picture of finances,” Lee says.
“Its secure platform lets us work from any location, share tasks with different team members and collaborate with our advisors in real-time.”
Lee shares that one of the best things about Xero is its built-in app integrations, which allows the platform to connect its point of sale (POS) and ecommerce systems with its inventory and warehouse management solutions all on one platform.
This has helped the company track stock movements more accurately and run their business more efficiently.
“On average, we probably save about half a month’s worth of time thanks to these workflow automations.”
In the long term, Lee aspires for Hypergear to be known as a homegrown Malaysian brand that has made it big on the international front. “In the outdoors, being prepared and equipped with the right gear is key, and it’s no different for SMEs. Tools like Xero keep our business ready to weather any storm.”
For more information about Xero, click here.
