Mouthguard maker OPRO gets its teeth into UFC
BRITISH mouth guards manufacturer OPRO has struck a major licensing deal with UFC, the global mixed martial arts giant, to supply its athletes and events with branded oral protection.
The deal will help OPRO reach key Asian and US markets
The four-year agreement, which includes distribution rights to stores and websites of retail giants such as Tesco, Amazon and Asda owner Walmart, brings OPRO into contact with UFC’s 56 million-plus followers and key US and Asian markets.
Mixed martial arts’ fast growth made it a prime target for the company, chief executive David Allen, a former UFC and Nike executive, explained.
“This is a year round sport and the partnership allows OPRO to enter new markets and countries. There are seven million people playing rugby, but 500 million participating in combat sports,” he said.
The fast growth of MMA made it the perfect target for OPRO
This is a year round sport and the partnership allows OPRO to enter new markets and countries
OPRO will supply Las Vegas-based UFC with a full range of its products from the standard model to customised, build-your-own shields.
The firm already has partnerships with England Rugby and New Zealand’s All Blacks as well as hockey and boxing organisations, and also supplies mouth guards for Tae Kwon Do.
“I started up the conversation with UFC to grow our reach in line with our strategic approach to focus on ball, stick and combat sports rather than just hockey and rugby as in the past,” added Allen.
OPRO will be the only British-based organisation supplying UFC
“We are the first and only British-made products company supplying the organisation.”
The 20-year-old family business in Hertfordshire, founded by dentist Dr Anthony Lovat to prevent athletes suffering trauma rather than settling for repair, has sold over 10 million guards.
OPRO has turnover of £6.75 million and is growing at 10 per cent a year, with design and manufacture carried out in its own, purpose-built laboratory and factory.
OPRO is a prime supplier to a wide range of sports, including women's hockey
In January OPRO will unveil its new Power Fit mouthguard at international sports trade show ISPO in Munich.