This SMART 100 profile and the information it contains is a duplication of content submitted by the applicant during the entry process. As a function of entry, applicants were required to declare that all details are factually correct, do not infringe on another’s intellectual property and are not unlawful, threatening, defamatory, invasive of privacy, obscene, or otherwise objectionable. Some profiles have been edited for reasons of space and clarity.
1. THE BEGINNING
This innovation came to life when…
We recognized the rising cost of exterior cladding and wall finishes in the building industry. The cost of specialist trades installation was high. The cost of ongoing maintenance was high. Energy efficient properties and thermal insulation were lacking or non-existent.
Many products were big carbon polluters, heavy weight and difficult to handle, adding to labour costs. Also, many products could not be installed by non-skilled or semi-skilled personnel.
2. WHAT & HOW
The purpose of this innovation is to…
Allow the average new home builder/renovation consumer access to a beautiful zero-maintenance, energy efficient, natural, lightweight cladding product that is actually affordable.
It is also to make installation easy and fast enough for DIY and semi-skilled workers.
It does this by…
A one-product-does-it-all approach, using the beauty of natural stone, that’s super lightweight, thermally insulated for energy efficiency, and very easy to handle.
Married to a simple patented fixing system, EcoSmart Stone delivers exceptional beauty with real cost and energy savings from build day one, through the complete life of a building.
3. PURPOSE & BENEFITS
This innovation improves on what came before because…
Many other cladding products have no insulation qualities, are heavy and require costly messy specialist trades and/or they required multiple trades as well as ongoing maintenance costs.
Lightweight product saves money/time/resources from logistics/freight through to faster onsite handling and installation. EcoSmart Stone is attractive and negates the need for other thermal insulation installation and costs.
Its various benefits to the customer/end-user include…
Stunning natural street appeal, zero ongoing maintenance, faster build times, reduced power costs,noise reduction,thermal comfort and affordability.
4. COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
In the past, this problem was solved by…
Multiple products with multiple installation trades/labour/time involving onsite material logistics, comprehensive planning and project co-ordination/management with predominantly costly specialist trades for example 1) insulation lining 2) cladding installation 3) render application and 4) painting.
Heavy stone blocks were cut down to a thinner tile which whilst cheaper was still multiple trades, costly and messy.
Its predecessors/competitors include…
Natural dimension stone blocks, clay bricks and concrete blocks. Others include artificial stone, natural cladding tiles and cement/acrylic render/paint systems which firstly require a wall lining substrate to fix to in addition to extra thermal insulation material.
5. TARGET MARKET
It is made for…
- All buildings, domestic homes and commercial high-rise developers and owners
- Builders who wish to add value using their existing onsite labour for installation instead of specialists
- Professional installers that contract product and/or services to construction companies and developers
- Retro fit consumers looking to upgrade tired older home/buildings both aesthetically and for thermal energy efficiency
- The DIY home builder/renovator/handy person wishing to participate in upgrades and save money
- Energy efficient building/construction of dwellings in developing countries with semi and unskilled labour
- Anyone who wants a beautiful home exterior that’s affordable… without future maintenance and costs
It is available for sale through…
Direct sales via internet/commissioned industry sales agents, appointed preferred installers and selected retail construction supply outlets, direct sales to group home builders and internationally through selected construction industry importers/distributors/installers.
Our marketing strategy is to…
Establish selected preferred installers using some of the many licensed carpenters to quote from provided leads. To advise and provide consumers the fixing service for the balance of 70 per cent of projects where self-installation is not desired.
Leads will be generated through targeting architects, builders and renovators through internet, personal visits, home shows and trade fairs.
Your Turn — VOTE!
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FINE PRINT
This SMART 100 profile and the information it contains is a duplication of content submitted by the applicant during the entry process. As a function of entry, applicants were required to declare that all details are factually correct, do not infringe on another’s intellectual property and are not unlawful, threatening, defamatory, invasive of privacy, obscene, or otherwise objectionable. Some profiles have been edited for reasons of space and clarity.
