Blackwood Labs - Motivation for Innovation

Get to Know Us

2006-02-03T13:00:00.000-05:00

I know you'd like to see what we've done so below is one example:
Cluttered I know but we can't control what the client chooses to do with their equipment. I've seen worse :-)

This is a prototype rotary laminating press which was used to prove the concept, develop the product, and then was pressed into service as an Alpha production unit used to produce limited quantities of a revolutionary new irrigation device and process for an outside client in cooperation with their executives and engineering team. Container Tender � uses a thin film laminate with vacuum formed passages to channel water flow, controlling flow rate, distribution, evaporative loss and many other factors. This allowed the exact tree watering requirements to be determined for the first time, cutting water usage by approximately 90% (as determined by testing conducted by Ohio State University) and opened up a diversity of collateral applications. We worked with an outside Houston IP firm to obtain patent protection, and I advised the client to help them obtain other IP protections. This start-up is rapidly approaching IPO status. The client had very limited funding which meant we had to cut development costs to the bone, but in this case because we recognized the value of the product we accepted an equity position as partial payment for our services, an exception to our normal practices. The finished product appears below.

The product Development Cycle

2006-02-03T12:13:00.000-05:00

"If I have been of service, if I have glimpsed more of the nature and essence of ultimate good, if I am inspired to reach wider horizons of thought and action, if I am at peace with myself, it has been a successful day." ~ Alex Noble

The Development Cycle
Identify the need: Who needs it? Why? Will it sell? For how long and how often?...
Conceptualize a product to fill that need: Best solution to the need. Why is it better? Will the market recognize that it is better?...
Feasibility of manufacture: Can we make it? Is it complex or simple? Does it require new capital investment or can it be produced on existing equipment?...
Determine the market: Will it achieve rapid acceptance? Who will buy it? What percentage of the market can it be expected to garner?...
Determine price point: How much can we sell it for? What do competing products sell for? Does it provide additional value that justifies additional cost?...
ROI calculations: Will the demand support the costs?...
Funding: Are adequate funds available to cover the entire development/production/market penetration period?...
Production: Will this be internal, outsourced or both? Will conventional, Lean Manufacturing, or some other method be used?...
Distribution: How much warehousing space is needed and of what type? Is it currently available? At what cost?...
Marketing: Is a comprehensive marketing plan in place? Who are the buyers? What channels can they be accessed through?...
Sales: Is a sales force available? Are they familiar with the market? The product? The competition? How much training will be required?...
Patents, Trademarks, and Copyrights:
Which type of protection fits the need?
Patent: Is the pendency, scope, and duration well matched to the production and sales objectives?...
Trademark: Are there marks either in use by the company or those that the company anticipates using which should be protected as corporate trademarks?...
Copyright: Is it to the company’s advantage to register copyrightable materials?...
Trade Dress: Are there specific packaging schemes or templates which are readily recognizable as the company’s products?...
Trade Secrets: Are there confidential processes or business methods, client lists, etc which could be harmful to the company if allowed to pass into the possession of a competitor or into the public domain?...
Knowledge of the Prior Art: Does the company maintain a prior art library in its engineering or legal departments?...
Documentation: Does the R&D staff maintain Inventor’s Notebooks, keep them up to date and regularly have them reviewed and witnessed?...
Costs and lead time: Is management aware of the costs?...

Our Services

2006-02-02T08:26:00.000-05:00

We offer consulting services designed to streamline your product development and Intellectual Property protection process by the use of a multi-disciplinary approach. A consultant will spend some time at your facility becoming familiarized with your company, its products and its needs, following which you will be given a proposal stating what we think can be done and how we can best assist in doing it. We will then negotiate the cost to you of those services with you and upon reaching a satisfactory agreement will then begin a more in-depth analysis. But at no stage will our actions be limited to analysis, because the best time to make a useful suggestion is usually when it can first be used. So we will conduct the process in accordance with your wishes and if you prefer suggestions be immediately implemented we will assist you in doing so.

We are now offering a retainer based consultancy agreement in which a monthly fee is negotiated in exchange for your unlimited ability to call upon us for assistance. In terms of your benefit this is a front end loaded agreement in which as much time as is needed will be used to serve your needs. Eventually the need will most likely taper off, but for your business it represents an opportunity for anyone who needs to, being able to call us without concern for hourly billing and phone call charges.

About Us

2006-02-02T08:22:00.000-05:00

Please visit our website at: BlackwoodLabs.com