A Case for Excellence

The Negrini case company has revolutionized the process of traveling with firearms. This sounds like a bold statement, but in an era in which traveling with shotguns is getting increasingly complicated, the Italian company’s ultralight airline-rated ABS cases have been game changers when it comes to taking the stress out of firearms transportation. Shooting Sportsman recently interviewed Stephen Lamboy, founder of International Case Company, which is the American importer of Negrini. Following are some of the insights Lamboy shared about the company and its products.

1. Shooting Sportsman: What made you decide to get involved with Negrini, and how did International Case Company come to be?

Stephen Lamboy: After tenures with several hunting and shooting companies, including a stint as the owner of a fine-gun company, I was looking for a new project. I had previously become familiar with Negrini cases, which, in spite of being uniquely superior products, had practically no representation in the US market. My wife, Elena, was and still is a translator and consultant for Italian sporting companies, and through her contacts we reached out to Franco Negrini. He was originally a bit skeptical of my plan, which he considered unorthodox due to the fact that Negrini had operated by selling to manufacturers, whereas I wanted to sell directly to the consumer. He gave us the nod, however, and Elena and I founded International Case Company in Arkansas. Now 16 years later we sell more units of cases than any other Negrini associate.

2. SSM: Which product most epitomizes the best of Negrini casemaking?

SL: I think the #16407 Compact series case would be my pick. It features Negrini’s proprietary thermoformed double-walled ABS design, TSA-approved locks with recessed mechanisms, a thoughtful interior configuration, luxurious upholstery and very handsome lines. The case is ultralight, durable, airline-approved and about as aesthetically pleasing as a gun case can be. When people encounter this case for the first time, it completely changes their perspective on how great a gun case can be. And it’s worth pointing out that all the features that make the #16407 such a wonderful case are incorporated into the vast majority of other Negrini models.

3. SSM: Describe the timeline for the growth of the Negrini product line in the US.

SL: It started with the marketing of the core Negrini gun case models that were being produced at the time. Later we started selling barrel-tube-set cases as well as choke-tube and ammo cases. In the past five to six years we’ve expanded our compact series to include two-barrel sets and two-gun models. We also started selling “Car, Club and Home” cases, which offer shooters who don’t fly a lower-cost option. Our Universal case line—single- or two-gun cases that can be reconfigured at home so that the same case can accommodate autoloaders, pumps, over/unders and side-by-sides—was also introduced during this period. And perhaps the most exciting development is our entry into the fly-fishing space with our Sea Run brand, which includes our latest product: a Cast & Blast case that houses both a shotgun and fly rods.

4. SSM: The list of industry gunmakers, pros and dealers that ship with or use Negrini cases is impressive. Can you provide a current rundown?

SL: There are too many to name off the top of my head! Krieghoff, Holland & Holland, Blaser and Kolar are among the makers that use our cases. Cole Guns & Gunsmithing, Kevin’s and Orvis ship guns in Negrini cases too. Negrini is also the case of choice for the majority of competitive clays shooters, like Brad Kidd, who frequently travel to tournaments. Shooting instructors like Chris Batha and Gil and Vicki Ash can be counted in the mix as well.

5. SSM: What has been the greatest challenge you have had to overcome in achieving the success that Negrini and International Case enjoy today?

SL: I know this is a broad answer, but I’ll say that the international-trade component of the business has been the greatest and most persistent challenge. Things like fluctuating exchange rates, duties, tariffs, shipping costs and container availability are all periodically problematic, but those things are par for the course for just about every international business. We overcome these challenges by being savvy and flexible in how we handle them. It’s just a matter of rolling with the punches and winning the next round.

6. SSM: What is some of the most rewarding feedback you have received from Negrini customers, pros and business partners?

SL: This is my favorite question! Although we are fortunate to have accumulated hundreds of relationships and experiences with both our business partners and consumers, my hands-down favorite is the thank-you cards we receive from first-time Negrini customers. I’m talking about people who take delivery of their new case and are so amazed with the ultralight weight and design that they feel compelled to send us a note of appreciation. Elena and I started this whole thing because we felt we could provide a product that would significantly improve the lives of traveling gun owners, and those notes serve as regular reminders that we were 100% right. We've also made a conscious decision to double our efforts to provide individual personal service via phone, email and text. Different generations prefer different ways of communication—and our customers' response to this has been positive.

For more info on Negrini Cases and International Case Company, visit negrinicases.com.