Iconic tough Spigen phones have become second bestsellers on the Amazon phone accessory category, turning into a global name as overseas sales for Korean designer and manufacturer Spigen Korea Co. now make up 90 percent of the company’s total sales.

More than 60 percent of total sales come from the United States and Canada, and the company is expecting sales to top 100 billion won ($87.9 million) soon from North American consumers.

Its debut in 2011 in the North America had been humble with American consumers preferring bulky and strong protection over sleek design for their cases. That was exactly what the maker delivered - an armor case strong enough to earn military certification from the U.S. Defense Department.

Word got out through the online grapevine on the durability and protection of its cases, and the Armor series sold like hot cakes. Over the last four years, more than 6.6 million units of Slim Amor, Tough Amor and Tough Amor Tech have been sold in North American region and another 4 million in Europe and elsewhere.

“We try to customize products for each market and our global strategy has worked,” said Kook Bong-hwan, an executive of the company. “Foreign sales have accounted for more than half of total sales since 2012 and, recently, overseas sales have taken up 90 percent.”

Spigen is a Korean venture company established in 2009. The company moved up to first place in an instant in the Korean market by developing premium screen protector crystals and cases of smartphones. Its sales exceeded 20 billion won in 2010 and 50 billion won in 2012.

The company has developed screen film not only to protect the glass, but the entire phone front and has over 30 patents including air cushion and other products or technologies enhancing protective function,” said the executive.

The company has now ventured into car accessory business.

Spigen launched about 20 car accessories including car mounts, chargers and cables last year. Its core product Stealth, a car mount, features a reusable gel pad that securely adheres to the car dashboard and mounts the phone at an efficient viewing angle, has become instant hit upon release in just a year, selling 150,000 units at home and abroad. Sales of car accessories increased 20 percent thanks to the product. The company plans to diversify businesses by releasing camping products and pet supplies and expand brick-and-mortar stores in the second half.

By Jin Young-tae

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