Ann Arbor Basement Start Up, SISU Mouth Guard, Expands in Michigan in 2014

News provided by

Jan 02, 2015, 11:18 ET

ANN ARBOR, Mich., Jan. 2, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Looking at a SISU Mouth Guard, you might wonder what the fuss is all about. Seemingly unimpressive, this flat piece of plastic with holes has gained worldwide recognition as higher standard for dental protection. Athletes and night grinders have realized that bigger and bulkier isn't better. On the contrary, the 1.6 mm thin guard protects better, while allowing athletes to talk, breathe and drink.

A Michigan top 50 Company to Watch, SISU Guard wins Advanced Materials Award from Accelerate Michigan Innovation Competition and expands operations to Saline Michigan.

The story of SISU Guard begins at the dining room table on the night Sassa Akervall, CEO of Akervall Technologies (makers of SISU Guard) realized that her daughter needed a mouth guard the next morning. After inspecting it, Dr. Jan Akervall, MD, PhD suggested to use the guard he was using in the OR while performing endoscopic procedures.

"My husband already knew that this mouth guard would protect much better than standard EVA mouth guards, so we decided to let our daughter and her team mates use it, and they all loved it immediately," Sassa Akervall says.

SISU set up shop in the basement of the Akervall household, where it remained for the next 5 years. It was a time of learning and aggressive growth. "There is something about getting a product out on the market, that is helping people. The feeling is not really measured in monetary achievements," Sassa adds humbly.

In January of 2014, the basement hosted 6 staff members."It got to be a little hectic, and at times out of control, with people being on the phone. We needed to move, there was just no way around it," added Akervall.

In March, the company moved into a 15,000 sqf. Saline, Michigan space with an office, R&D, manufacturing and fulfillment. "My personal satisfaction in 2014 lays in the fact that we are now 13 people and counting. It is fantastic to employ great talent. This is what the American Dream is about," says Swedish born and raised Akervall.

In 2015 SISU Guard is looking to add 5 more team members to continue growth. "Our sales have grwon 35-50% each year and the 2015 prognosis is even better", she says, smiling widely. "We are in a good place, with sales and production in place. Along with the many new exciting products we will roll out, and the hard work my talented staff is putting in every day, I have no doubt we will see lots of good things coming soon."

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20141231/166577

CONTACT: Rita Shelley-Smith, 1-734-3897398, [email protected]

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ann-arbor-basement-start-up-sisu-mouth-guard-expands-in-michigan-in-2014-300014937.html

SOURCE SISU Guard