Importivity Case Study
Frawgs Floating Mats Product Sourcing Case Study
See how Importivity helped Frawgs source, develop, and launch marine-grade floating mats with enhanced features, reliable production, and nationwide reach.
Hear It Directly from Sam Edelman, Founder of FRAWGS
Sam Edelman needed more than a factory. He needed a partner who could source marine-grade materials, refine product design, and build a supply chain capable of reaching retailers nationwide. In his own words, he shares how Importivity's product sourcing team helped FRAWGS go from concept to over $5M in sales.
Why FRAWGS Needed a Sourcing Partner
Scaling a marine-grade consumer product from idea to nationwide distribution required overcoming three critical obstacles that made professional product sourcing essential.
Quality and Consistency at Scale
FRAWGS needed a manufacturer capable of producing floating mats that met both performance and safety standards: marine-grade foam, slip resistance, and reinforced hardware, without sacrificing consistency as volumes increased. Supplier vetting was critical.
Design Differentiation
To stand out in a crowded market, FRAWGS required enhancements like roll-up design, vibrant branding, optional carry accessories, and easy storage features that demanded specialized prototyping capabilities.
Efficient Logistics and Distribution
Getting the product from factory to retailer while maintaining cost efficiency and meeting delivery timelines across the U.S. required transparent shipping and logistics and packaging optimization.
Importivity's Product Sourcing Approach
Our work with FRAWGS was more than just finding a factory. It was about creating a full system that turned an idea into a market-ready product through structured product sourcing and supply chain management.
Factory Sourcing and Vetting
We identified and audited Chinese factories with proven marine-grade foam capabilities, ensuring FRAWGS could launch with dependable quality and capacity. Every potential partner went through our rigorous supplier vetting process.
Design and R&D
Our team refined foam density, slip resistance, and UV protection while adding practical features like integrated carry handles to enhance usability. This prototyping phase ensured the product met both performance and market expectations.
Custom Accessories and Upsell Strategy
We developed a branded storage and carry bag that doubled as both a protective case and a profitable upsell item, reinforcing FRAWGS' brand presence and increasing average order value through smart packaging design.
Logistics and Packaging
We designed cost-efficient packaging that reduced freight costs while safeguarding mats during long-haul shipping, directly impacting margins and customer experience.
Compliance and Quality Control
Strict QC protocols and compliance checks safeguarded consistency from prototype to full production, minimizing risk across the supply chain.
Innovation and Upsell Opportunities
At Importivity, product sourcing is more than connecting brands with factories. It is about creating opportunities to innovate, differentiate, and maximize revenue.
Custom Storage Bag Design
We developed a branded storage and carry bag that made transporting large mats simple while elevating the perceived value of the product. Customers saw it as a premium add-on, not just packaging.
Built-In Cross-Sales
By positioning the bag as a natural companion product, FRAWGS unlocked a powerful upsell. Most buyers of the floating mats opted to purchase the bag as well, increasing average order value and creating a new revenue stream.
Stronger Brand Recognition
The bag became a walking advertisement with bold logos, bright colors, and professional finishing that reinforced FRAWGS' brand identity in retail stores and on social media.
Enhanced Customer Experience
By making storage easier and protecting the mats from damage, the bag extended product lifespan and improved customer satisfaction, driving repeat purchases and positive reviews.
What This Product Sourcing Case Study Achieved
Faster time to market, lower landed costs, and durable products gave FRAWGS a competitive edge, powered by Importivity's end-to-end sourcing and supply chain management.
Consistent Quality
Through rigorous factory vetting and multiple rounds of sampling, the final product was UV-resistant, slip-resistant, and designed to withstand repeated outdoor use, giving customers confidence and minimizing warranty issues.
Competitive Advantage
The branded carrying bag created a new upsell opportunity, positioning FRAWGS as more than a commodity brand. Smart packaging innovation helped them stand out in a competitive market.
Expanded Distribution
With reliable suppliers and streamlined logistics, FRAWGS achieved nationwide distribution. Faster restocking cycles reduced stock-outs during peak summer months, keeping retailers and consumers satisfied.
Healthier Margins
By optimizing packaging dimensions for freight efficiency and negotiating improved supplier terms, Importivity helped FRAWGS significantly improve landed cost structures, boosting margins while reinvesting in growth.
Rapid Prototyping
Specialty foams, coatings, and hardware sourced in days rather than weeks
All Under One Roof
CNC cutting, lamination, branding, and packaging from a single facility
Competitive Costs
Economies of scale keep per-unit costs competitive even after tariffs
Speed to Market
Mature logistics infrastructure gets products to U.S. shelves faster
In sales generated by FRAWGS through China-based manufacturing and Importivity's sourcing strategy
Why China Still Makes Strategic Sense for Product Sourcing
Even with Section 301 tariffs, China remains the global hub for rapid prototyping and product sourcing. Its dense supplier networks allow specialty foams, coatings, and hardware to be sourced in days rather than weeks.
These efficiencies, combined with economies of scale, keep per-unit costs competitive even after tariffs, protecting margins for businesses producing at scale. See how China compares to Vietnam or Mexico for your specific needs.
Related Resources for Product Sourcing
To help your business follow the same playbook used in this case study, we have created a library of free product sourcing resources.
BOM Template
A must-have for product sourcing projects. Organize every component and gain visibility into prototype and production costs from day one.
Download BOM TemplateRFQ Template
Standardize supplier outreach and ensure accurate comparisons when sourcing, helping you make faster and more confident decisions across multiple factories.
Download RFQ TemplateFactory Vetting Checklist
When sourcing overseas, this checklist ensures suppliers meet compliance, quality, and capacity standards before you commit to production.
Download ChecklistSupplier Onboarding Checklist
Streamline compliance documentation, QC standards, and payment terms when bringing a new factory into your supply chain.
Download ChecklistProduct Sourcing Guide
A step-by-step framework to de-risk global trade, covering supplier vetting, prototyping, and cost management for entrepreneurs at every stage.
Download GuideTariff Mitigation Strategies
Navigate trade policy changes with actionable strategies to protect your margins when sourcing from China and other manufacturing regions.
View StrategiesManufacturing Connections Worldwide
Importivity maintains vetted factory relationships across key manufacturing regions, giving you flexibility to source where it makes the most sense for your product.
Frequently Asked Questions
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