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.
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1. THE BEGINNING
This innovation initially came to life when…
Whilst managing an existing conventional walling cladding business. Clearly things needed to change. The industry was also then demanding ecological products with very high thermal insulation efficiencies. Existing products and installation methods could not deliver these benefits. Secondly, traditional stone required specialist tradespeople. Stonemasons are dying and very costly breed these days. The only way to allow affordability to mainstream customers was to create a system that fulfilled modern requirements, and allowed semi and unskilled trades to easily install it. This resulted in a system based approach. Intro SmartStone Systems.
2. WHAT & HOW
The purpose of this innovation is to…
…bring stone cladding to the middle masses, with innovation creating affordability. Thin stone laminated to high density wall insulation results in a very strong, long life eco-friendly stone cladding material with a thermal rating well above BCA standards.
It does this by…
…a simple 1 step process, eliminating 5 steps in what is, or was 6 steps with traditional stone installations. Eliminating other time consuming conventional installation steps we have a system delivering significant material cost and labour savings. Super lightweight for fast easy handling by semi-skilled workers.
3. PURPOSE & BENEFITS
This innovation improves on what came before because…
Our system improves on traditional ways because it is a one system/product, capable of installation by semi-skilled trades and DIY. Compared to conventional stone installations the mechanical system supplies many benefits:
- No additional insulation material/costs.
- No F/C sheet lining board material./costs.
- No jointing/sealing F/C material/costs.
- No site wet concrete mortar mess.
- 3 time faster installations.
- Lightweight handling (weighs +50% less)
Its various benefits to the customer/end-user include…
The customer enjoys a prestige zero maintenance wall finish at an affordable price, achieved by our system efficiencies over traditional 7 step processes. Labour is reduced by > 50% without needs for specialists. Jobs are completed quicker reducing construction time.
4. COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
In the past, this problem was solved by…
In the past predecessors have not fully solved the problems, of fixings, nor thermal insulation, particularly with stone and porcelain finishes. Honeycomb backed stone is available, but expensive for commercial projects only. Metal sheet wall companies have incorporated insulation for good sales in the market. Metal requires ongoing maintenance costs compared to stone which lasts the lifetime of a building.
We compete with conventional costly ways requiring experienced trades. Traditional stone is heavy, dirty, time consuming. Stonemasons becoming extinct. Simpler solution apparent. Consumers want beauty of stone, but needs accessibility and affordability. Our system reduces labour 50% without specialist trades.
5. TARGET MARKET
It is made for…
New home building, retrofit and additions. The target audience is the influencer i.e. architects, project home builders, local builders, owner builders, end consumer, the home owner. There are around 220,000 new residential homes built in Australia per annum value of $15Billion. Home additions another $2Billion, commercial $10Billion per year. The external cladding value is around 6 >10% of the build value. This represents a market segment of over $1.6Billion per year.
It is available for sale through…
We have a global audience which can increase sales outside of Australia. North America is attractive due to the cold weather extremes product benefits.
Our marketing strategy is to…
We will actively market our products to influencers, architects, specifiers, group home and local builders. They are potential lifetime ambassadors, with ongoing consumers through their offices. We will invest in quality marketing collateral and sample boards for permanent use in their office as sales aids to clients. Owner builders, landscaping, DIYers will be targeted with Google and Facebook internet adverts.
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.
Maven Judge Vote: SmartStone Systems – Smart 100 2018
(Please note – The form below is for judging purposes only and is restricted to the public)
