what’s different? what’s new? and what’s next in …
TRANSCRIPT
WHAT’S DIFFERENT? WHAT’S NEW? AND WHAT’S NEXT IN PLUMBING?
In association with
Sponsored by
THIS ONE’S FOR YOU
REGISTER NOW FOR YOUR FREE TICKETS AT www.installershow.com
Scottish plumbing and heating engineers now have their own national trade show. InstallerSCOTLAND – brought to you by Installer magazine – comes to the SEC, Glasgow, September 6 and 7.
“Scottish installers should come along. It’s a good day out. Having so many manufacturers under one roof is the best part – you can see and speak to them all, and get a feel for new products coming to the market.”
Kyle SpittalK Spittal Plumbing & HeatingHelensburgh@spittalPlumbing
“I think it’s going to be the best industry exhibition to come to Scotland in a long time. Come see what’s going on and bring your staff, it’s well worth it. It’s not just about seeing the products, it’s also about enjoying yourself.”
Shaun ScottUK Plumber of the Year 2016Derek Scott Plumbing and HeatingAberdeenshire@Plumbershaun
“All the manufacturers you want to speak to are under one roof. There’s no better way to chat to everyone. Having this show in Glasgow is a game-changer. There’s no excuse not to go. It’s definitely worth it.”
Ryan MillsG.D Mills Plumbing & HeatingEdinburgh@rdmills88
“This show brings everyone together, and it’s brilliant that it’s going to be in Scotland. My message to other Scottish installers is to come along, see and experience it for yourself. You’ll enjoy the day.”
Lluis DalmauLCD Heating & Gas ServicesClydebank@gassafeglasgow
MADE BY INSTALLERSFOR INSTALLERS
FIND PLUMBASE AT STAND SB40
In association with InstallerINVENT, Plumbase brings you the brightest, smartest new ideas for the plumbing and heating trade.They could be real game-changers, clever short cuts or hi-tech ways of using the very latest innovative technology to make your working week easier and more profitable.
It’s all part of the service we’re proud to offer the trade; showcasing whatever it takes to keep you one step ahead of the game and help you save time, save money, work more safely and achieve brilliant results for every job.
What is InstallerINVENT?Originally created by Installer magazine, and as part of the annual InstallerSHOW, the InstallerINVENT initiative provides a one-off platform for the industry’s inventors to showcase their products to their target audience of heating engineers and plumbers. InstallerINVENT has gone from strength to strength and now provides an ongoing support service where installers who have potentially invented a new product can benefit from valuable insight, support and assistance to get their product in the marketplace.
Plumbase is proud to be supporting this year’s INVENT initiative. From advice on product positioning to marketing support to linking up budding Inventors with industry leaders, between our staff and suppliers, Plumbase has a lot of knowledge and expertise to offer anyone who wants it.
PipesnugSNUG SOLUTIONS LTD
Alex Lever01727 226102
www.pipesnug.co.uk
Sponsored bySponsoredby
Sponsored by
TapMedicTAPMEDIC LTD
David Newton07803 136613
John Coldwell07703 257925
www.tapmedic.co.uk
Sponsored bySponsoredby
Sponsored by
Platinumpie LtdBATH FRAME FIXING KIT
Laurence Beeke07703 188 788
www.platinumpie.co.uk
Sponsored bySponsoredby
Sponsored by
Project SoterQUANTIC CORPORATION LIMITED
Ben Kuchta07547 506753
www.quantic-corporation.co.uk
Sponsored bySponsoredby
Sponsored by
2 3
Quicker, cheaper and cleaner than any other method of sealing a hole where a pipe exits the wall.No more messy mortar, expanding foam or silicone. The PipeSnug concept was imagined by builder and brick layer Chris Burdett and offers a quicker, more cost-effective, more energy efficient (and better looking!) solution when sealing holes around a pipe.
Chris and his Business Partner, Alex Lever, have developed a product suitable for any plumbing or construction project; from new builds to extensions to loft conversions to kitchen or bathroom installations, there’s no point pointing with PipeSnug.
For more information visit
pipesnug.co.uk Find PipeSnug in stock at selected Plumbase branches now or order from your local branch for next day delivery. Also available online at plumbase.co.uk
Installed in seconds in any weather
Safe solution when working at height from a ladder
Increases ease of installation by securing pipework prior to fixing
Covers brick damage caused by core drilling
Prevents water entering and heat escaping buildings
Fits all makes of solvent weld waste
•
•
•
•
•
•
QUICKLY FINISHAROUND PIPES
PIPESNUG 32mm
PIPESNUG 40mm
BLACK P035781 | GREY P035782 | WHITE P035783
BLACK P035778 | GREY P035779 | WHITE P035780
Quicker, cheaper and cleanerthan any other method ofsealing a hole where a pipeexits the wall.
BLACK
WHITE
GREY
1¼”32mm
1½”40mm
Available in
52mm PLUS....Covers brickworkdamaged bycore drilling
Holds pipeworkin place duringinstallation
Can be installedin any weather
Easily �ts the elbowbend of all solventweld waste pipes
Prevents waterentering thebuilding
Stops heat escapingfrom the building
UV resistant
www.pipesnug.co.ukCheck out our video at
ONLY
£4.95EX. VAT
4 5
ONLY
£4.95EX. VAT
Wooden bath frames, and all the hassle of constructing them, are now a thing of the past.Getting the correct heights for your bath framework as well as securing the frame under the lip of modern bath designs has always been one of those frustrating and time consuming jobs when installing a bath.
But these issues are no more as forward-thinking Inventor Laurence Beeke presents Tubfix Bath Frame Fixing Kits, an innovative way of frame construction that is set to revolutionise bath frames and finishes.
AN EARLY BATHFOR WOODEN FRAMES
END PANEL FIXING KIT
Cost effective, time saving and simple to assemble, Tubfix also provides space for a bath panel or tile backer board for the perfect finish.
For more information visit
tubfix.bizFind TubFix in stock at selected Plumbase branches now or order from your local branch for next day delivery. Also available online at plumbase.co.uk
ONLY
£22.95EX. VAT
FRONT PANEL FIXING KIT
ONLY
£39.95EX. VAT
B076403
B076404
Fast and efficient, just 30 minutes to install
Flexible - height adjustable 460-570mm, length adjustable 1400-1800mm, width 700-800mm
Strong and secure – galvanised and spray coated, 10 year guarantee
Cost effective – cheaper than labour and materials for wooden frame
Ideal for use with bath panels or tiled finishes
•
•
•
•
•
If, like most plumbers we know, you say you need three hands to get some jobs done, then Len Da Hand is just the tool you need. Created by Installer and Inventor Adam Lowe, Len Da Hand is the handy plumber’s mate you should never be without. Len Da Hand’s strong flexible arm allows it to properly support a pipe, not only horizontally and vertically, but at any number of awkward angles. While the attached steel hand supports pipes incredibly close to the joint for hassle-free soldering.
The super strong clamp enables the unit to be fixed to pipes up to a diameter of 1½” and is also ideal for solvent weld products. The clamp has been cleverly designed with two slots, so Len Da Hand can be securely fastened to a ceiling, wall or any other surface.
For more information visit
shoestringtools.co.uk Find Len Da Hand in stock at selected Plumbase branches now or order from your local branch for next day delivery. Also available online at plumbase.co.uk
Strong clamp enables the unit to be fixed to pipes up to diameter up to 40mm.
2 slots to allow Len Da Hand to securely fasten to a ceiling, wall or any surface.
Strong flexible arm supports a pipe at any angle whilst you work on it.
The steel hand supports pipes incredibly close to the joint whilst soldering.
THE EXTRA HANDYOU’VE BEEN MISSING
FLUESHOE
DEBURRING TOOL
ONLY
£49.95EX. VAT
ONLY
£29.95EX. VAT
Gone are the days of awkwardly cutting your boiler flue. Ensure a cleaner, quicker, safer cut with FlueShoe.Devised by Inventor and installer Simon Brown, FlueShoe is a unique cutting tool that ensures a secure hold to cut your boiler flue.
Not only does it prevent injury and improve health and safety on the job, FlueShoe also offers a unique inner flue trimmer that ensures the inner flue is never cut too short.
FLUESHOETM
NO.1 TOOLFOR CUTTING BOILER FLUES
Lightweight and easily transported from job to job in the back of your van, Flueshoe is the tool you should never be without!
For more information visit
flueshoe.co.ukFind Flueshoe in stock at selected Plumbase branches now or order from your local branch for next day delivery. Also available online at plumbase.co.uk
Secure hold for the flue whilst cutting
Improved health and safety
Ensures straight cut to give accurate, safe flue connections
Inner flue trimmer ensures correct cutting length
Lightweight and portable
•
•
•
•
•
LEN DA HAND
ONLY
£23.95EX. VAT
P035608
P035841
P035842
6 7
To find out more about project SOTER and the CO Interlock device, visit:
quantic-corporation.co.uk/project-soter
Driven by a strong desire to raise awareness of the dangers of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning, Registered Gas Engineer, Ben Kuchta has developed a lifesaving product.
Astonished by the number of dangerous appliances he came across as a Gas Engineer, Ben Kuchta was propelled to do more to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. And over a number of years Ben taught himself how to program software and build electronic circuits, which has then lead to the invention that is the CO Interlock under Project SOTER.
The CO Interlock is a breakthrough safety device that’s designed to automatically turn off faulty gas appliances by using internationally patented, intelligent sensors to learn, store and act upon the alarm signal of a CO detector. With plans to have a finished product by the end of 2017, the device has been a labour of love for Ben – but the process hasn’t been easy.
Dripping taps are a pain – but with Installer David Newton’s little kit, the frustration of repairing them is behind us. A customer needing a repair on a dripping tap is always a job you want to avoid as you never know what you are going to find. For David Newton, Inventor of TapMedic, these types of jobs were happening all too often.
“The bottom line was that trying to help people always lost me money. I didn’t feel able to charge for all my time for such an apparently simple job. I carried on because I enjoy helping people out and I’m stubborn; I refuse to replace otherwise perfectly serviceable kit!
“When I had to admit defeat and tell the customer they needed new taps, I felt it made me look daft and… I always felt I’d lost a customer at that point because I was sure they’d think, “Blimey, if he can’t mend a tap, we’re definitely not asking about a new bathroom!”
PROJECT SOTER
TAPMEDICCOMING SOON...
Photo: Ben Kuchta
Photo: David Newton
And so, TapMedic was born. Two years of research, product development and rigorous testing by fellow plumbers and customers have resulted in a universal replacement tap cartridge that will allow you to fix approximately 90% of all the separate hot and cold ¼ turn (ceramic disc) taps you come across – all manner of ages, makes and models are compatible.
“From learning how to program a microcontroller to building electronic circuits, writing international patents, defending those patents, creating the right network with the right people, and at the same time working all hours as a gas engineer installing and servicing boilers to pay the bills.”
The project has taken over three years to develop with patents granted in both the USA and UK, but it doesn’t stop there for Ben. “I don’t intend to stop [after the first product launch] either because it’s important to build, measure and learn from every prototype. That’s what makes the product range so unique, powerful and versatile.”
8 9
David is passionate about British Manufacturing, and has spent a long time ensuring that Tap Medic’s components are made as close to home as possible to guarantee quality.
“Our cartridges are European but we were fortunate enough to find a precision engineering company in Rotherham who realise our potential so they manufacture all of our other brassware.” Workable prototypes will be available this summer with the finalised TapMedic kit available to purchase by the end of 2017.
To find out more about TapMedic, visit:
www.tapmedic.co.uk
Photo: TapMedic Kit Mk1
PROUD TO BACK YOU WITH THE LATEST INNOVATIONS
Join us at an Innovation Night near you, launching this Autumn
LEADING SUPPLIERS, NEW PRODUCT DEVELOPMENTS, TRAINING COURSES, INDUSTRY KNOWLEDGE, REFRESHMENTS, GIVEAWAYS
“I think it’s easy to start doubting yourself and your product. I truly believe that with a lot of work, effort and the ability of endurance (along with a little luck it has to be said) is worth it in the end. So never give up.”
Laurence Beeke, TubFix
“I have found the whole experience very helpful. It gave me honest feedback from installers and gave the suppliers a chance see my product in full demonstration.”
Adam Lowe, Len Da Hand
“I can honestly say that this event has been the best thing for our product to raise awareness that it actually exists and to potentially get it seen by the guys who make the decisions. It was the best thing that has happened this year.”
Laurence Beeke, TubFix
“On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being awesome? 20. Off the scale helpful - genuinely. I confess to being very sceptical about participating, but I’m happily relieved to admit, I could not have been more wrong.
“We have been overwhelmed, positively overwhelmed, by the quality of organisation, the attention to detail from everyone on the Installer staff, the genuine interest and support from Plumbase as sponsors and, most of all, the sheer quality of experience, knowledge and understanding demonstrated by attendees.
“For our embryonic business and humble product, it was an exhausting but positively transformative experience. Some things were confirmed but vitally entirely new avenues opened up – I even lost weight; I simply didn’t have time to eat! So, thank you to everyone involved, attendees, exhibitors, sponsors and organiser, we feel privileged to have played a tiny part in it.”
David Newton, TapMedic
“To be able to acquire feedback from such a wide variety of visitors that came to InstallerINVENT has been invaluable. After the first day, I went so far as to rebuild the exhibition stand based on that feedback, and the following days were very positive indeed. It was the first ever event I had exhibited the CO Interlock at under Project SOTER, and I personally learnt and developed a lot too.”
Ben Kuchta, Project SOTER
“InstallerInvent has been crucial for us. All the inventors at the show were at different stages, but it gave us a real focus to launch PipeSnug. We had already been working on the marketing, being active on social media and getting articles in the trade press, but this was the first time that the trade could actually get their hands on the product and see it in action.
“We launched with two sizes of PipeSnug (32 and 40mm) and the show gave us the opportunity to ask the trade what they wanted us to work on next. Finally, having Plumbase not only sponsor the INVENT stand but also really wanting to help move us on to the next stage has been invaluable.”
Alex Lever, PipeSnug
“Participating at Installer2016 gave me the opportunity to showcase my prototype and make contact with installers from across the UK. It also gave me the extra confidence in my product to get home and finish the job I had started. Although the idea for the Flueshoe was conceived in 2013, the product was born on the InstallerINVENT stand in 2016.
“Following the event, I immediately set about having the necessary tooling made to form the component parts of the Flueshoe. By August 2016, the first 50 units were assembled and in September I sent seven Flueshoes out to some of the installers that had given me the flues for the show.
“They tested the Flueshoe for me and came back to me with ways the product could be improved and, in one case, identified a design fault in one component. The identified problems were all rectified and full production commenced in October 2016. I am very grateful to this group of installers who tested the product and gave invaluable feedback before it went out for sale.”
Simon Brown, Flueshoe
“If you have an idea research it first to ensure there is nothing out there like it, research if there is a demand for your idea and then go for it and believe in it.”
Adam Lowe, Len Da Hand
ESSENTIAL TIPS TO LAUNCH YOUR PRODUCT
HOW HAS INSTALLERINVENT BENEFITED YOU?
Find out how the InstallerINVENT initiative has help these Inventors to get their products known.
“You need to consider several aspects when starting off. Firstly, it is important to make sure that there is a market for your product by speaking with people in the trade - not just friends and family. You also need to take the time to investigate a patent, it’s really important to protect your ideas - they are too precious to lose! Taking the time to investigate funding will allow you to develop your ideas. There are a number of funding schemes out there if you look for them. And finally, having a strong brand from the beginning is important.”
Alex Lever, PipeSnug
“If there is full confidence in the concept and the inventor is determined to proceed, a good place to start would be online at The British Library. Research the UK Patent Office archives to see if anything similar to the idea already exists. Ask if there is a genuine need for the product or is it an improvement to what is already known? If the answer is yes, this may provide the basis to move forward.”
Simon Brown, Flueshoe
“As an inventor, feedback is… well, everything really. Beyond vital! Whenever I introduced TapMedic to anyone my first question was always, “What’s wrong with it?” Then I listen to what feedback they have, but listen with an open mind. Hidden deep among the responses will be true nuggets of insight which you’re often initially unaware of – but they are there. Learn to find them. It may seem an odd thing to suggest, but as an inventor you have two major roles; getting the product out there and being it’s worst critic too. The fact is if you don’t do it someone else will. Make sure you listen to your instincts, so your product is the best it can possibly be.”
David Newton, TapMedic
10 11
Sponsored by
Are you looking for help and support with your invention?
Whether you have a finished product ready to market or still researching your concept - InstallerINVENT offers the perfect platform to gain valuable insight, feedback and support. Plus, you’ll get extra support from the team at Plumbase.
Get in touch on [email protected]
GOT AN IDEA?