MAKO Client Sells Out Product with Major Retailer

We often say to our clients it’s the simplest inventions that see the most success. It’s the products that make you ask yourself, “Why didn’t I think of that?” that often fly off the shelves. With our inventor help, our latest client success story brought his idea to life and is now selling out his product with major retailers.

The Tri-Plunger: Where there’s a problem, there’s an invention to solve it

Working as a plumber for nearly a decade, Robert discovered a real problem in the industry. Newer toilets are now made with a triangular-shaped hole at the bottom, while the older ones are circle-shaped. However, plungers haven’t evolved to fit the new design, and they are still functioning with a circular head, which wouldn’t fit the hole, resulting in poor suction. Until now.

MAKO’s inventor’s help allowed this plumber-turned-inventor to solve a problem he’d been battling for years. Now, there’s a triangular plunger that perfectly fits modern toilet bowls: the Tri-Plunger.

The Success of the Tri-Plunger

Being his own salesman, the first stores Robert approached bought several boxes of this product. Retailing for $14.99, Robert has sold his product to Co-Op Home Centres in western Canada. They were so excited about Robert’s product that they also included signs on it that said “Proudly Made in Canada” and offered to put up signs that said, “Support Your Local Inventor!”

After their original order, the Co-Op Home Centre ordered more from Robert and almost sold out of their second shipment. With MAKO’s inventor’s help, Robert was able to achieve the inventing dream.

Second-Generation Tri-Plunger

The Tri-Plunger has received such great feedback that a second generation is already planned for production. The newest version will be made of a harder material able to withstand extreme force and provide superior suction.

“The Project Managers and Designers have been really great to work with,” says Robert. “Throughout the process, from start to finish, they’ve been collaborative and attentive, suggesting excellent ideas and listening to my feedback. The inventor help they provided made the whole process an amazing experience!”

About: MAKO Design + Invent is the original firm providing world-class consumer product development services tailored to startups, small manufacturers, and inventors. Simply put, we are the leading one-stop-shop for developing your physical product from idea to store shelves, all in a high-quality, cost-effective, and timely manner. We operate as one powerhouse 30-person product design team spread across 4 offices to serve you (Austin, Miami, San Francisco, & Toronto). We have full-stack in-house industrial design, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, patent referral, prototyping, and manufacturing services. To assist our startup and inventor clients, in addition to above, we help with business strategy, product strategy, marketing, and sales/distribution for all consumer product categories. Also, our founder Kevin Mako hosts The Product Startup Podcast, the industry's leading hardware podcast. Check it out for tips, interviews, and best practices for hardware startups, inventors, and product developers. Click HERE to learn more about MAKO Design + Invent!