Protocase

How does an entrepreneur who has worked in the deserts of Egypt, swam in the Red Sea, and who admits to wander-lust coupled with a thirst for knowledge, find himself as CEO of a technologically innovative company in Cape Breton, helping raise five children embracing the lifestyle and culture of Nova Scotia?

 
Stephen Lilley, the proud president of Protocase, in Sydney River, a burgeoning suburb of Sydney, puts it this way:
 
“I operate a successful internet company, not only because we have hundreds of clients in Canada and abroad, but because of the expertise and attitude of my staff and the lifestyle afforded to my family. Could I relocate to San Jose, Colorado or Toronto and run a similarly successful business? Of course I could, but here in Cape Breton I can go hiking with my kids on Sunday afternoons, visit the Highlands in and around Ingonish, be within a half-hour or less of expansive beaches, and be within five minutes of my workplace - devoid of long lines of traffic and anxiety ridden motorists. Add to that my wife and children are happy, her parents are close-by, and at least two of my kids would like to return to Cape Breton when they finish their university education.”
 
That’s a ringing endorsement from a man who is originally from Dartmouth and ran an engineering company for three years. Protocase evolved from that company, now offering a unique service that flows from a sound business model and process. The company was born from customer experience and inspired by the printed circuit board industry and the revolution that has transformed both purchase and efficient delivery of low-volume circuit boards.
Currently, a low-volume buyer of metal products has limited choices:

• Purchase an off-the-shelf box which approximates the required dimensions, then machine the required cut-outs and paint it.
• Purchase a complete and finished custom enclosure from one of many existing high volume manufacturers and experience time delays and high prices.
• Purchase a customized enclosure from a specialty box manufacturer with long lead times.

Protocase offers its customers electronic enclosures made to their precise design specifications and sold directly via the Internet, with short delivery times and competitive pricing. These electronic enclosures are available in any custom configuration, with any width, length, and height up to a predefined maximum. The customer can specify the thickness of steel and the color and texture of the finish. There is no limit to the shape and/or size of cut-outs. 
The founders are engineers who themselves experienced over a decade of difficulty sourcing a cost-effective, quality solution to their enclosure needs. The management team has a long history in product development, project management, manufacturing, marketing and administration. They have developed Protocase Designer™; a 3D enclosure design tool that is intuitive and quick to learn. Based on templates as a starting point for designing an enclosure, it allows users to build cut-outs, studs, stand-offs and incorporate silk-screens.
 
“We cater to a specific clientele,” says Lilley. “We offer services online, focus on low volume, and specialize in full customization and speedy delivery.”
Protocase boasts an impressive client list including Apple Computers, Boeing, IBM, GM, NASA ~ Goddard/Johnson Space Center, Langley, Jet Propulsion Lab, Microsoft, GE, Intel, Stanford University, and Hewlett Packard.
 
Lilley speaks confidently in a language that may be unfamiliar to the uninitiated, but nevertheless communicates easily his pride in the company, its employees and the quality service they provide.
The quality seems to speak for itself. “For the most part, customers approach us; we don’t do any cold calling. About 85 percent of our business is in the United States and we are very much an export-oriented business,” says Lilley. “In fact, we are looking at expanding into the United Kingdom. There is a stable market there and it would not be impacted by the weak US dollar. That has had a major impact on our sales south of the border over the last five years.”
 
Lilley is also quick to point out that being located in Nova Scotia is not an impediment. But business with clients in California, for example, can be complicated by the significant time differential. Protocase deals with this by scheduling their employees on a flexible basis and developing deals with Purolator and DHL that allow shipping overnight to the continental United States.
Lilley’s vision extends beyond the immediate success of his business. It’s refreshing to hear him speak of reaching out to high school students in terms of career opportunities here in Nova Scotia.
 
“My dream has always been to create an environment - whether it’s through my company or within my community - so that we can stimulate our bright and ambitious young people to get their education and pursue careers here on the island or elsewhere in Nova Scotia,” he says. “I open my doors to any local youth to visit Protocase and see what is available to them here. Hopefully, what we do, they will see as innovative, future oriented and personally challenging, so that they will be enticed to stay here and contribute to the economy.”
 
Perhaps this statement summarizes what Stephen Lilley and Protocase are all about:
 
“Entrepreneurship, small business, innovation, unique business models – these are the future. I personally don’t necessarily have a great vision but partnering with those who do, and bringing one’s talents to the table will make a difference.”
When one looks at the list of high profile clients, sees his dedicated staff at work, and listens to this man who has succeeded here in Cape Breton and brought worldwide recognition to the expertise of Protocase, one can only marvel at this entrepreneur who is Stephen Lilley and the pride of the community where he and his company have made a difference.