Running head: CHROME INDUSTRIES 1

Chrome Industries

Caroline Tade

Arizona State University

OGL 260: Resource Allocation, Module 1

March 25th, 2022

CHROME INDUSTRIES 2

Chrome Industries

In 1995, Chrome industries was introduced to the world by launching their first product,

the chrome bag. The chrome bag was made with a Juki sewing machine, industrial-grade nylon,

and military-grade tarpaulin. When the bag was first released, Chrome did not have the funds to

make a buckle for their bags, so; instead, they took salvaged seat buckles out of junkyard cars

and added them to their bag. The release of the first chrome bag made was and to this day, is

known as the messenger bag (Chrome, 2022). Chrome Industries was started as a partnership

between the founder Bart Kyzar and Mark Falvai. What is a partnership? Our readings define a

partnership as an association of two or more persons coming together as owners to operate a

business for profit (Keown, Martin, & Petty, 2020). Kyzar and Falvai started Chrome Industries

because they were both looking for bags and were unable to find anything this was suitable for

their needs. So, in 1995 they created Chrome Industries and focused on creating a valuable,

durable, and reliable product. With this, they took that idea and watched their business grow.

I decided to research Chrome Industries because I am in the process of looking for a

durable backpack for when I ride my motorcycle. I have tried various types of backpacks, and

while some do well, I hope to find something that lasts longer than six months to a year. I had

previously heard of Chrome years ago when I lived in Chicago. Chrome was trendy when I lived

in Chicago ten years ago because of the versatility of the bags, and the reliability of the bags is

still very popular today. While Chrome bags and apparel are mainly focused on the bicycling

community in city areas, the product can benefit everyone, not just bicycle riders. The Chrome

bags are made of industrial-grade nylon and military-grade tarpaulin with a seat belt buckle for

quick release; they can be an excellent choice for anyone looking for a bag that will last them a
CHROME INDUSTRIES 3

long time. Chrome bags to this day stand by their reliability and durability and even have a

lifetime guarantee that the bag is meant to be repaired, not replaced (Chrome, 2020).

In chapter one of our reading, Foundations of Finance, we learned that the goal of the

business is one of the essential steps when a business is established. This is because the goal of

the business is to create value for the company's owners and create wealth for the company's

shareholders (Keown, Martin, & Petty, 2020). While Chrome Industries does not have

shareholders due to them being a partnership, they have stakeholders to consider when they

determine their business goal and how they will create wealth for their business. So, what is

Chrome's goal? Chrome Industries has dedicated the company to making helpful gear for the

city. Chrome called this Urban Utility. Where Chrome is not about fashion, they are about

making the tools to help people live and play in the city. When creating their product, they ask

these simple questions: "Is it helpful? Is it durable? Is it simple? Is it versatile? If yes to all these

questions, it is Chrome (Ireland, 2020). Chrome Industries first started with the release of the

messenger bag and has since grown to offer various types of retail: shirts, hoodies, shoes, fanny

packs, and of course, messenger bags. Offering multiple types of retail helps to reach out to

different kinds of consumers to continue to create wealth for the business.

When researching more about Chrome Industries, I was interested in learning more about

the struggles and obstacles that the company faces. At first, I found it challenging to discover any

challenges or obstacles the company may be facing—given how the company gives back, makes

reliable and durable products, how could the company face any difficulty or obstacle? After

researching a little more, I discovered that Chrome Industries faces a challenge with its e-

commerce presence. The company found that to grab the attention of the modern commuter, the

company must transform its website and mobile platforms to create a more hyper-personalized
CHROME INDUSTRIES 4

shopping experience (Chrome, n.d.). An eCommerce presence is significant in today's world. A

lot of shopping is now conducted online and contributes to the company's success. Having a

solid e-commerce store allows a business to broaden their brand, create convenience for all

people from all over the world to purchase products, provides for marketing opportunities, and

helps to scale your Business (Seymour, 2016). With Chrome focusing on updating their

eCommerce presence, it will enable the company to focus on the goal of the business, to

maximize wealth.

As I continued to conduct my research on Chrome industries, what surprised me about

the company was how Chrome Industries focuses on giving back to the community, focuses on

sustainability, and on how to stand by its commitment to making functional and durable products

(Chrome, 2022). Before discovering more about Chrome Industries, I had a basic understanding

of Chrome. I was aware that the company makes bags and that the bags made are durable and

reliable. I did not know how they focus on community, commitment, and sustainability. These

are essential factors in today's world and are exceptional qualities that help gain additional

supporters and customers. The way Chrome gives back is through every purchase of a specific

Chrome messenger bag gives back 2% to the individuals working to make the city a better place.

Chrome aims to improve cities by providing better access to parks and trails, photography,

playgrounds, and even creative energy centers. Also, Chrome focuses on sustainability and

makes its product with a conscience. This means that when making their product, Chrome

focuses on the people who make them, the planet we're on, and the cities we love (Chrome,

2020). Chrome also uses various recycled products to help create their product and focus on

products that will last, so the material stays out of landfills and oceans.
CHROME INDUSTRIES 5

To conclude, in 1995, Bart Kyzar and Mark Falvai came together with one thing in mind,

to create a bag that was reliable, durable, and versatile. The partnership they formed created what

is known today as Chrome Industries. While Chrome Industries first started making bags, the

company eventually began making a variety of retail products that focus on precisely what Kyzar

and Falvai were looking for in 1995—reliability, durability, and versatility. With this, Chrome

began to expand and opened in major cities with retail stores and eventually made its way to

eCommerce. Kyzar and Falvai both understood their business's goal and continued to stay with

that goal. The goal of creating reliable products also flourished into the focus of commitment,

sustainability, and the ability to give back. With Kyzar and Falvai having a solid goal within

focus helped, Chrome developed into a fantastic company located in large cities worldwide.
CHROME INDUSTRIES 6

References

Chrome industries (2020). Chrome Industries online, retrieved from,

https://www.chromeindustries.com/our-story.html

Chrome Industries, (N.D.). The Basic Brand, retrieved from,

https://www.basicagency.com/case-studies/chrome-industries-ecommerce-web-design

Ireland, D. (2020 July 2). Industry Focus- Chrome Industries Turns 25. Magnetic Magazine,

retrieved from, https://www.magneticmag.com/2020/06/industry-focus-chrome-

industries-turns-25/.

Keown, A., Martin, J., & Petty, W. Foundations of Finance. Pearson, 10th Edition.

Seymour, S. (2016 November, 18). 5 Reasons Why Ecommerce is Important for your Business.

Discovery Design, retrieved from, https://discoverydesign.co.uk/blog/post/5-reasons-

why-ecommerce-is-so-important-for-your business/#:~:text=Ecommerce%20offers

%20business%20a%20whole,convenient%20service%2C%20that%20can%20boost.