3D Laminates Recycled from Water Bottles

Feel good with B2L. As a manufacturer or designer, you have more influence than you realize. Simply by offering B2L to your clients and giving them the green 3D surfacing option you are doing your part to help the planet.

B2L or Bottle to Laminate recycles 2 PET water bottles for every square foot of laminate produced. In the US, approximately 50 billion water bottles are consumed yearly which consumes 35 to 50 million barrels of oil. World wide, the consumption of water bottles is approximately 200 billion bottles of water per year. A large portion of every water bottle consumed ends up in land fills where it can take over 1000 years to decompose.

www.bottle2laminate.com

More and more companies are finding ways to recycle water bottles. Products such as pens, chairs and clothes can now be made from water bottles. At B2L, we bring to you a 3D Forming Laminate which can be made from up to 100% recycled directly from post consumer water bottles.

Although we technically have the capability to make any solid pantone color into a 3D Forming laminate, we have chosen to focus on 4 colors which are Black, White, Antique and Folkstone Grey for manufacturing and supply efficiencies. The next time you specify or use one of these solid colors in a project, we hope that you will consider B2L as a viable surfacing alternative.

B2L is great for

- Office Desk tops
- Store Fixtures
- Wall Panels
- Door and Drawer fronts for Kitchens, Closets and Hospital


Feel good with B2L.

Finally an affordable Glossy White

For this article I'd like to re-introduce to your company our Semi Gloss White. Normally I try to make articles that are not so blatant in their efforts to sell product however this is a color that I think is a slam dunk for getting new business for many of you and I'll explain how.

When you introduce a new color or finish what makes that design sell? There are three types of demands in the market:

1. Demands that are unknown: For example, when you introduce a new color your customer has never seen before they may develop an interest for that color. Previously, since they did not know that color existed there was no real demand. By showing new and exciting things demands can often be created. If you are a trend setter with colors often customers will switch to buying from you or buy from you when they spot a customer who may be interested in your color offering. (This isn't the demand I'm discussing)

2. Demands that are known but are met: Imagine that you are targeting a new customer who is happy with his current component supplier. You show him or her your color offering but they are items that everyone has. The customer's demand is already being met so the only way you then can compete is by price. (This isn't the demand I'm discussing)

3. Demands that are known but unmet: This is the most important segment. Often markets have demands for products but the perfect solution is not available so companies compromise. A customer's demand for quality service and fair pricing may also be unmet so this creates opportunities to win over your competitor's customers. In other cases companies say things like "Why doesn't somebody come up with a so and so or why doesn't somebody improve this match?" Often you explain the manufacturing process of your foil supplier or the minimums needed to create a better match for example. ( I think this is the demand)

We believe that the Frosty White Semi Gloss fall under #3. We have heard "Why do High Gloss Doors cost so much" As a result we have created the perfect solution.

Our Frosty White Semi Gloss is:

1. Less than half the square foot cost of most typical High Gloss 3D Laminates
2. Hides telegraphing and scratching better due to the surface finish and therefore reduces in-house rejects and returns.
3. Does not wrinkle when pressing like High Glosses do. High Glosses are typically extruded instead of calendered and this may cause them to react poorly to typical press settings. By reducing wrinkles it should reduce manufacturing cost.
4. Comes with a peel coat just like High Glosses do however once removed our product WILL NOT show fingerprints as easily.
5. Will not show orange peel or spots like High Gloss after pressing.

We have found that nationwide High Gloss doors are typically marketed between $10 to $20 per square foot. With the combination of lower material cost and lower manufacturing cost we estimate that most companies will market our Semi Gloss at $6 to $9 per square foot. At this price it will make this product the first truly Affordable Glossy White.

The gloss level is still very high however it is not a mirror finish.When going around the market we have found that there is a demand for glossy but not too glossy product. A very common application for this product would be for Bathroom vanities. It gives a clean and crisp look without being to Euro modern or Miami-vice inspired.

Another way to look at White thermofoil doors are that they are essentially mimicking a painted white door. As we are aware paint comes in Matte, Semi Gloss and Gloss so it only makes since that there is a demand for Semi Gloss.

If you would like a pressable sample of our Frosty White Semi Gloss be sure to give us a call ! Also, I hope that this article was informative over all...

INTRODUCTION OF MATERIAL INTELLIGENCE:

• I'd like to mention that my colleague Kenn Busch has just started a company called Material Intelligence. As many of you are aware, Kenn is the editor for Surface & Panel Magazine. He now has created Material Intelligence to market directly to the design community. His site will not be limited to 3D Laminates alone but most decorative surfaces. I encourage you to visit his site at http://www.materialintelligence.com/ or to email Kenn at kenn@kennbusch.com or call (608) 213-9662. Dackor has decided that this is a valid tool and so we have chosen to advertise with Material Intelligence.

IWF 2008

I am back in the office and back from the IWF show in Atlanta. The attendance was way down but the quality of people who attended the booth was higher over all.

At the show we displayed our Brown Leather. This is a new stock design and it is great for head boards, night stands, end tables and for crown molding in the closet. We featured an ottoman with inlayed buttons and a few people stopped by and ordered a small roll or full roll on the spot. I don't think this leather will be a huge mover but I'm certain that many people will use it as an accent piece. We have plans to introduce it in the future with grey, black, tan and white as well.

We also showed our Wenge Island and displayed doors. This design is still doing very well for us. As I've mentioned they seem to like the ticking and emboss on this design. As you can see from the picture below it looks more like furniture and less like thermofoil.

We also showed our Frosty White with Interlam panels as you can see in the pictures above. The panels looked so great that even our standard white stood out. This really drew people in the booth and got people interested.

If you have not received a sample of the Leather or Cioccolato be sure to email or call me. Also hope to see you at the next show !

Stop by and say "Hi" at IWF

IWF is here again ! The show is being held from Wed, August 20th to Sat, August 23rd at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta. The show's website is http://www.iwfatlanta.com/ and our booth number will be 1716 in Hall A.

OUR BOOTH: This year we will be promoting our NEW Leather, Wenge for Condos and our striking Modo Semi Gloss Colors. The booth will feature a Kitchen Island made from DACKOR Wenge. Inside of the Island you will find doors featuring matching backs. In addition we will have an ottoman made out of our Leather. It is routered out in design to show buttons similiar to a leather sofa. Great for head boards, insert door panels, bar tops, table tops and closet parts.

L-MA MEETING: As you are aware, we have recently created a testing organization that is dedicated to the adhesion testing of thermoformed components. We are having a meeting at our booth #1716 at 4pm on Thursday August 21st. This will be an informal meeting whereby I will give a very brief introduction to L-MA and answer any questions or concerns that anyone may have. You may also visit http://www.l-ma.org/

BE OUR GUEST AT IWF: If you have not booked your room yet for the IWF show why not stay for free? We have one room available for multiple nights at the Hyatt Place in Buckhead. The room has a 42" HDTV and is typically $170 per night. Simply place an order before the show for at least 20LY of DACKOR Brown Leather, Wenge, or a Semi Gloss Modo color and your stay will be free ! Most people have already booked for the show so if you haven't simply give me a call to inquire today !

The room is available any time from the Monday the 18th to the Sunday the 24th. Only on new orders placed from today until the show starts for the colors listed above. You may also visit: http://atlantabuckhead.place.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/place/index.jsp

DINNER OUT WITH DACKOR: What do you do after the show? Do you go back to your hotel and simply rest your feet? This year why not go out to dinner for some good food and laughs with us? Simply visit Roseburg at booth #2500 and ask Rick Troxel what new color they have out matching Dackor. Be the first to bring that color name and code # to us at booth #1716. For those that are not the first, still stop by to let us know that design name and number for a special show promotion.

(must not be the IWF Guest and you must be a company that has a press)

Tradeshows are not only for business; they can be fun too. We are looking forward to seeing you at the show !

The beginning...

Its the beginning of a new year and I have decided to create a blog about the industry I love so much, the 3D Laminate Industry. I'd like to tell you my history as it’s relative to what I'm about... I grew up in a small town called Marion, VA, population 8,000 or so. I graduated in 1989 and I struggled in my first year in college. I joined the Air Force at the beginning of 1990.

On my way to basic, an Air Force Captain came up to me and asked where I was being stationed. Now mind you, its rare for an officer to really go out of their way to speak to a young enlisted guy. He recommended that I put in for Japan. He went on and on about how great Japan was and so I did; I put Japan at the top of the list. I was stationed in Japan for four years and worked with Petroleums and on my pool game. I had a lot of great experiences in Japan, I studied the Japanese language, taught English, took night classes and managed to explore Japan and learn more about the culture.

I decided to get out of the Air Force after four years and to go back to college. I decided on the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Yes I can hear you chuckling here.... It wasn't all surfing and scuba diving, although I did my share. In high school I was a C/D student but somehow I graduated with a 3.5 grade average with a degree in International Marketing with a minor in Japanese Language. In my marketing classes I did a few case studies on the Decorative Surfacing Industry. At the time I didn't really connect how the International Marketing, Japanese and Decorative Surfacing would somehow all join together in my future...

Next I started a company called Holdings in Malaysia with some college friends. What an experience! Doing business in a foreign country and dealing with Italy, China, India, Brazil and other countries. The market timing was perfect in the start and we imported granite and marble for flooring and countertops in Hotel and other multi-family projects. I loved the business but decided that I didn't want to live in Malaysia anymore.

I then set my sights for moving back to the US. When I moved back to the US, I relocated to Raleigh, NC (Cary). I saw an ad looking for someone with sales, marketing and Japanese language. When I went to the interview, imagine my surprise when I discovered that they were in the Decorative Surfacing Industry ! Needless to say, I landed the job and I started as a Sales Person for to North America. While working at Ambtra, I was able to combine everything I enjoyed doing. I loved dealing with other countries, loved Japan, loved marketing and thought the Decorative Surfacing Industry was so cool. The idea of adding value to an ordinary surface excites my marketing sensibilities. During my time there I was one of the first guys to target the Store Fixture Industry, was the first to develop a cut roll program and the first to use the term 3D Laminates. (that I know of) At th NeoCon Office show people didn't know what our product was. I cut chips to be sized like Wilsonart’s and put 3D Laminates on the display. Many people remarked "Wow they make 3D Laminates now". Working at Ambtra was such a positive experience. I strongly recommend doing business with them as they are some of the nicest and most sincere group of people you would ever want to meet.

In late 2003' I took the challenge of starting up DACKOR for North America. We physically got inventory in late 2004 so I've been marketing the product for four years as of the start of this blog. Its been a real challenge developing new colors for the market and establishing the initial client base. I won't bore you with the details but we've managed to grow consistently even in a declining market. We've created some hits that have flourished and I do have some more things coming up that I think will do well.

I must admit that I have had support from some key people to get to this point. But imagine the affect that other’s had in my life. If that Captain had never approached me in the airport my life would probably have been so different. Its interesting how small chance circumstances can alter your life.

At the beginning of this year I decided to create a blog discussing the 3D Laminate industry. I feel like I have a unique and international perspective on our business. Over the past years I have been apart of selling over $100 million in Decorative Surfaces, lived in various countries and upstarted several foreign Decorative Surface factories entrace into the US market. I have also done independent consulting to some nationally known Decorative Surfacing brands. In addition, I've helped numerous companies with their press settings and with improving their high gloss components by elleviating or reducing orange peel and wrinkles. Over the past ten years I have also worked with various national Office Component manufacturers to create new lines or with Store Fixture chains, restaurant chains and multi family housing developers.

Throughout our days we are flooded with news and information (mostly useless). I don't proclaim that these blog posts will change your life but I think it would be easy for you to gain something of value. And please be sure to give me support by emailing me if you see something useful. Your feedback is important.