CONTACT: John Bauer
Vice President
SelectAFlush
(616) 836-6971
Tim Mroz
Senior Director of Communications
Right Place, Inc.
(616) 301-6791
Green tech firm first to commercialize invention with InnovationWorks
Grand Rapids, Michigan (October 30, 2008) – Entrepreneurs launching a new green tech startup firm will for the first time publicly introduce an innovative, Michigan-made product designed to conserve water, slash energy use, and save water customers money.
The principals of SelectAFlush, a firm based in Mattawan, MI, will unveil their breakthrough technology at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 30 in the offices of the Right Place, Inc., West Michigan’s leading economic development agency. The Right Place, Inc. is located at 161 Ottawa Avenue NW, Suite 400, in downtown Grand Rapids.
SelectAFlush is the first company to bring their idea to market with the assistance of InnovationWorks, a regional program developed in part by the Right Place, Inc., to accelerate the commercialization of original products, processes and services in West Michigan.
After ten months of research and development, SelectAFlush has successfully commercialized a pioneering plastic flush valve that cuts by more than half the amount of water used in traditional toilets. The company already has sold 500 units; maintains a growing list of back orders; and will start shipping on Nov. 1.
“We took an idea on a napkin and turned it into a promising new product for the marketplace,” said John Bauer, vice president of SelectAFlush. “Our research suggests there is between 180 and 300 million toilets in the U.S. alone that are candidates for this device. This will be a home run for Michigan.”
The product comes amidst an expanding global market for new water technologies. Population growth, climate change, and decaying infrastructure like sewers and water supply lines have raised uncertainty about the availability of future supplies. So inventing new ways to better manage, conserve, clean and recycle fresh water is becoming big business.
In fact, the worldwide water industry revenues were estimated at $300 billion, according to a 2003 report prepared by the Battelle Memorial Institute, a scientific and technological consulting firm based in Ohio. Investment in water tech-related R&D exceeded $1.5 billion in the U.S. alone in 2006, according to some estimates. And demand for water-saving systems is growing 10 percent each year.
SelectAFlush is setting out to capture a significant share of that growing market. In addition to support from the Right Place, Inc, the company relied heavily on West Michigan’s manufacturing expertise to successfully commercialize its idea. Zeeland-based Eagle Design and Technology, Inc., for example, generated the computer models of the prototype. And Holland-based LS Mold cut the plastic injection tools to manufacture the final product.“Innovation is the key to solving not only our environmental challenges but our economic challenges as well,” said Birgit Klohs, president and CEO of the Right Place, Inc. “Innovation throughout history has propelled world-changing business activity in Michigan. SelectAFlush is the latest in a long line of a real world examples that demonstrate how, even in these tough economic times, creative inventions can be dreamed, designed, patented and produced right here in Michigan.”
“We’re happy to support and celebrate the public launch of their new product,” Klohs said.
About SelectAFlush
SelectAFlush is a family-owned and operated company based in Mattawan, MI. The firm is simultaneously dedicated to promoting water conservation and strengthening the manufacturing industry in Michigan. Find SelectAFlush on the web at www.selectaflush.com.
About The Right Place, Inc.
The Right Place, Inc., organized in 1985, is a private/public partnership for economic development dedicated to job retention and job creation in the greater Grand Rapids area. Its strategic priorities include: leading business retention, expansion and attraction; identifying and developing emerging growth opportunities; strengthening manufacturing leadership and innovation; leading urban redevelopment vital to business retention and attraction; and leading regional initiatives in economic development. Find the Right Place on the web at www.rightplace.org.
