MAS Helps Washroom Wizard to Fragrant Success
12/11/2014 Manufacturing Advisory Service North West (MAS)
Washroom Wizard is the brain child of South Africa-born entrepreneur, Kathleen Porter (pictured). Now based in St Albans, Hertfordshire Kathleen established her business in 2007 and has been committed ever since to developing her innovative product ECOBreezeTM, an air filtration and room fragrance system for the commercial sector.Kathleen has a 20 year background in the service industry gained both in South Africa and the UK. She came to the UK in 2000 and knew how to spot a gap in the market but didn't know much about manufacturing, design and marketing. She initially contacted Business Link in 2007 and was eventually signposted to the MAS. Since then MAS has provided funding and advice to help her develop her innovative product. Her specialist advisor is Ian Pateman.
Kathleen explains: "ECOBreezeTM is unique in that it has triple action; first drawing air through a dust filter to remove all airborne dust particulate, secondly the air is then directed through a sophisticated carbon filter to extract organic molecules and finally the clean air passes over a system that releases a fragrance; leaving the air in the room clean and fresh. Its attractive, ergonomic design means that it is suitable for all areas in commercial buildings. The brand is now a registered trademark and it has secured a British patent thanks to MAS."
Over a number of years MAS has assisted with funding towards design, tooling, costing a business plan and financial review for ECOBreezeTM. Ian has also introduced Kathleen to UKTI and Growth Accelerator.
Kathleen was insistent that the manufacturing was kept in the UK and she switched from a previous tooling company because they were outsourcing offshore and is now with a UK manufacturer based in Wales.
ECOBreezeTM has just been launched to the commercial sector this year. The design of the product has been improved and major blue chip companies in the UK and Europe currently use the units. Kathleen has a number of distributors for the product and is also confident about exporting overseas. Washroom Wizard plans to launch a domestic unit in 2015.
Currently she employs one person but next year predicts to have a staff of ten with a forecast turnover of £810K nearly doubling by 2016 to £1.5 million.
Kathleen continues:
"As a single parent it has taken me a long time to get EcoBreeze to market - but I never gave up. I knew I had an innovative idea and was spurred on by the support and encouragement from major UK businesses. However I still needed specialist advice and support from the Manufacturing Advisory Service. I am very proud of the product and would also like to thank the support of British organisations and their management, (Sue Smithies from Asda, Cecil Weintrop and Michelle Borra from Sainsbury's/Interserve, Carole Cicutti of City Cruises plc. and the international procurement team from Rentokil Initial) as I would not have been able to accomplish it without them."
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