A US Startup Achieves Rapid Business Growth by Purchasing Toptrue Insulated Water Bottles
From Garage Startup to Nationwide Bestseller: EcoKeep Partners with Toptrue to Achieve Explosive Business Growth with a Constant Temperature Solution
In the fiercely competitive US consumer market, countless startups are searching for the “key to success”—a product that meets user needs and a reliable supply chain. In 2021, EcoKeep, a startup that began in a California garage, achieved a remarkable turnaround with a precise choice: by purchasing Toptrue insulated water bottles, it grew from a niche regional brand to a nationally renowned lifestyle brand in just two years, achieving a compound annual growth rate of over 200%, becoming a prime example of “leveraging the supply chain for growth” in the startup world.
Startup Motivation: Targeting Market Pain Points, But Stuck at the “Life or Death” Threshold of the Supply Chain
EcoKeep’s founder, Alex, was once an outdoor enthusiast and part-time office worker. His extensive commuting and camping experience led him to discover a common pain point: Insulated water bottles on the market were either “flashy but impractical”—exquisitely designed but failing to keep drinks hot for more than 3 hours—or “heavy but subpar”—made of thick materials with a slight odor, and some low-priced products even lacked basic food-grade safety certifications. “Americans have very clear core demands for everyday products: safety, practicality, and suitability for different lifestyles,” Alex said in an interview. “I wanted to create a brand that truly solves the needs for ‘constant temperature + peace of mind,’ covering different groups such as office workers, athletes, and stay-at-home mothers.”
In the early stages of their venture, Alex and his team spent six months screening suppliers. They contacted three overseas factories, but repeatedly encountered setbacks: some products failed to meet the promised 8-hour insulation standard, some materials did not meet FDA (Food and Drug Administration) requirements, and some factories could not flexibly adjust order quantities, resulting in excessive inventory pressure for a startup brand. “We almost gave up during that period,” Alex recalled. “We knew there was market demand, but without reliable products to support it, it was all just empty talk.”
Encountering Toptrue: A Sample Test Leads to a Mutually Beneficial Collaboration
The turning point came at an international home furnishings exhibition in early 2022. Alex stumbled upon Toptrue’s product line and was immediately drawn to its diverse designs—from wide-mouth stainless steel water bottles suitable for sports to portable insulated mugs for commuting, and rhinestone-decorated Tumblers for female users, covering almost all the application scenarios he envisioned. What surprised him even more was the testing reports shown to him on the spot by Toptrue staff: all products had passed FDA, LFGB (German food contact material standards), and EU safety tests, were made of 100% food-grade safe materials, and fully complied with the stringent standards of the US market.
With a try-it-out mentality, Alex requested samples. After two weeks of real-world testing, the Toptrue insulated water bottle exceeded expectations: 95°C hot water remained above 55°C after 24 hours; 0°C ice water stayed cool for 12 hours in outdoor temperatures of 38°C. More importantly, the bottle was odorless and had excellent sealing, preventing leaks even when placed in a backpack – these details perfectly addressed the core needs of American consumers.
“We didn’t hesitate long before deciding to partner with them,” said Alex. “Toptrue not only solved our biggest concerns about safety and quality, but their ODM/OEM one-stop service also allowed us to quickly launch customized models that fit our brand image. For example, our large-capacity insulated lunchbox designed for campers was simply an adjustment of Toptrue’s existing food containers in terms of size and color, completed from design to mass production in just 45 days.”
Product Empowerment: From “Single Bestseller” to “Full-Scenario Coverage,” Igniting the Market
Following the partnership, EcoKeep’s growth curve rapidly increased. EcoKeep’s first product, a 20oz sports vacuum insulated mug, quickly rose to the top 20 in its category on Amazon within just one month of its launch, boasting the core selling point of “12-hour hot + 12-hour cold.” It garnered thousands of positive reviews. One user commented, “I carry it with me when I go to work for coffee, and it’s still hot when I get home; I carry it with me when I go camping on the weekend, and it stays ice-cold even after a long afternoon in the sun. The material feels high-quality, unlike what you’d expect from a product at this price point.”
Following this, EcoKeep leveraged Toptrue’s product matrix to rapidly expand its product line: launching a food-grade stainless steel insulated mug with a straw for mothers, featuring a drop-resistant design and smooth edges, and passing US children’s product safety certification; creating a minimalist tumbler for working professionals, complete with a detachable tea infuser to meet their tea and coffee needs; and even collaborating with fashion bloggers to launch a limited-edition rhinestone-decorated insulated mug, which became a social media sensation thanks to its stylish design, selling out 5,000 units in just three days.
“Toptrue’s product advantages allow us to focus on brand operation and marketing,” Alex explained. “Their 8 years of export experience and 15 years of professional manufacturing background ensure a stable supply cycle of within 30 days, and we’ve never experienced stockouts, even during peak holiday seasons when orders surge. This stability allows us to increase our marketing investment, such as collaborating with outdoor KOLs on camping trials and setting up experience zones in supermarkets, without worrying about our products falling behind market trends.”
Business Explosion: From Online to Offline, Achieving a “Three-Stage Leap” in Two Years
Leveraging Toptrue’s reliable product quality and diverse product categories, EcoKeep achieved an astonishing “three-stage leap” in two years:
The first stage saw an online breakthrough through Amazon and its own brand website (not Toptrue’s own website), achieving sales exceeding 100,000 units in the first year with a repurchase rate as high as 42%—far exceeding the industry average of 25%;
The second stage saw entry into offline channels, successfully entering well-known American chain supermarkets such as Target and Dick’s Sporting Goods, reaching a wider range of offline consumers;
The third stage saw expansion into B2B… Through partnerships with various companies, EcoKeep has become a supplier of customized employee benefits for numerous businesses, and even provides customized insulated water bottles for US professional sports teams, extending its brand influence from the consumer (C-end) to the business (B-end).
As of 2024, EcoKeep’s annual revenue had exceeded $8 million, with over 200 sales outlets across the US, making it a “dark horse” brand in the insulated water bottle market. Alex, reflecting on the reasons for this growth, emphasized: “Choosing Toptrue was one of our best decisions. They not only provided high-quality products that met the needs of the US market, but also offered professional service and flexible supply chain support, allowing us to respond quickly to market changes. This is key for a startup brand to achieve a ‘leapfrog development’.”
Future Outlook: Deepening Focus on Niche Markets and Continuing to Co-create Growth
Looking to the future, Alex and his team have a clear plan: to continue leveraging Toptrue’s R&D and manufacturing capabilities to deepen their focus on more niche markets—such as easy-open insulated water bottles designed for the elderly, protein shaker cups customized for fitness enthusiasts, and extra-large capacity Insulated Flasks designed for outdoor workers. “Toptrue’s product innovation capabilities give us great confidence,” Alex said. “They launch 30+ new products every year and can quickly optimize their products based on our market feedback. This ‘agile response’ collaboration model allows us to always stay ahead of the market.”
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