Willow Grove's 'Puck Ups' Selling like Rubber Hotcakes

Joe Mottola spends a lot of time on the water. 

The Willow Grove native is a tugboat captain in the New York Harbor where he spends his days guiding cruise liners and container ships to the docks. Between ships, Mottola and his crew have a lot of time to dream up ideas.

“In our down time, we sit around and invent things,” Mottola said.

Their latest creation is one of those ideas that will make everyone say, “Why didn’t I think of that?”

“Puck Ups” is simple. It’s a hockey puck converted into a cell phone holder. A rectangular piece is cut out of a regulation size 6-oz. hockey puck, and the rubber material makes for a non-slip surface for your phone to sit in.

“Puck Ups” began on January 1 and a little over eight weeks later, it has turned into a bit of a cult following. Mottola said he made thousands of pucks in a matter of days as orders are coming in.

“We have been absolutely swamped,” said Mottola, who ships all the orders out of Willow Grove. “We're doing so many custom orders for sports teams.”

Orders have come in from all over the country. They sell for $2.99 apiece and can be purchased by clicking here.

The pucks can be used virtually anywhere. But the businessman in Mottola has him eyeing sports bars as a prime buyer. Many people can’t go five minutes without looking at their phones, regardless if they are in their home or out for a bite to eat. ‘Puck Ups’ allows people to view their phone in the up-right position, and also prevents dirt and liquid from getting on your phone at the bar.

People who are interested in the pucks can now start to order custom designs with their favorite sports team or company logo.

“I have vendors all over the country,” Mottola said. “I have decal people in Arizona, a Puck supplier in California. I bring everything together and ship out of Willow Grove.”

Mottola said he is currently working on a franchise deal with the East Coast Hockey League and was contacted by the Trenton Titans.

Mottola also said that he and his crew also have a few more products coming down the line. They are in development for a football and a baseball-type design.

The success is no surprise for the guys who invited “Puck Ups.” They also created the “0G Soccer Trainer,” which is an in-home, non-electronic training device so kids can practice juggling and their handling skills on their own.

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From Puck Ups

Don't let your expensive cell phone get ruined by a wet, sticky, beer-soaked bar! With PuckUps, you can keep your phone out and easily accessible without worrying about that rowdy guy next to you knocking his drink onto your phone Get it up and off that dirty bar with PuckUps! We start with official 6oz hockey pucks made of solid rubber and turn them into unique holders that can be used anywhere - at your favorite bar or restaurant, home, office, poolside, wherever you want to prop up your phone.