New invention is on a roll
A Wolverhampton firm has developed a revolutionary new device for cleaning paint rollers that saves up to 85 per cent on water and 70 per cent on time compared with conventional methods.
The Rolla Washa has been produced by Washa Ltd with the aid of the Polymer Cluster, part of the Wolverhampton Telford Technology Corridor and the result has been a company now valued at around £2.5 million.
Rollers have become the tool of choice for painters and decorators and the new Rolla Washa is designed to help them save time and money on the chore of regularly washing them.
Multiple-sized paint rollers are quickly cleaned and dried in a lightweight, portable, self-cleaning and environmentally-friendly device, powered solely by mains water pressure.
"Rolla Washa is sure to have a big impact on professional painters and decorators", said Brett Smart, Washa's managing director, "with spin-off opportunities into the domestic DIY market.
"It's designed to save users time, effort and water; the ideal solution to one of the worst aspects of a rewarding job! The product will also attract enhanced capital allowances, offering further cost savings to end users."
Together with Rolla Washa's inventor, research and development director John Ford, Brett sought help from the Polymer Cluster, using its expertise in advanced tooling techniques at the University of Wolverhampton's Innovative Product Development Centre to develop and test a working prototype.
Following modifications and trials on a first set of components, a final sample product was made ready for demonstrations to potential customers and possible partners in the USA and Europe.
Now in its final stage of development and a patent applied for, the company has a unique product in the Rolla Washa, which is attracting interest from both potential investors and end users.
Tests are currently underway in conjunction with two of Europe's leading paint manufacturers and Washa Ltd is set to expand operations by developing a further two products aimed at the painting and decorating sector.
"This is a scaleable business opportunity with global environmental implications", said Brett. There isn't another product on the market like the Rolla Washa and it will be manufactured in the West Midlands. We are in the final stages of receiving water regulation compliance and, thanks to the Polymer Cluster and its associate, the Manufacturing Advisory Service, we have been able to take the product from concept through to production – none of this would have been possible without their support.
"We are delighted to say that we are now in a position to value the business at £2.5 million."
