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HP: Your company is fairly new to the market and with a new product for hurricane protection, and yet there are only four of you involved. Tell us about that.
Paul Kelley: Quick Shutter Clamping System was started in 2006 by myself, Shawn Kelley, Jack Mclaughlin and Mike Custer. We are located in Tampa, FL.
I came up with the design of the clamping system in 2005 after that year’s active hurricane season. The design was for personal use only and I had no intention of marketing it to the public. Due to the great response to the product, Shawn and I decided to see if the public would be interested in something like this and decided to see where it would take us.
We still have four employees, the founding four, and are a home-based business working out of Shawn Kelley’s garage. We are four blue-collar workers. Jack and I are skycaps at Tampa International Airport, Shawn is a computer technician and Mike is a graphic designer for a local printing company.
HP: What best describes your niche in the marketplace?
Kelley: We offer an inexpensive alternative, which is especially important in today’s trying economic times. Our product answers one major complaint from the homeowner: They do not like to put holes in their homes’ exteriors.
The Quick Shutter Clamping system is reusable, cost effective and easy to install with no exterior damage to the home. It has been tested and passed the requirements that satisfy Florida Building Code ASTM E 330 and ASTM E 1886/1996 to withstand hurricane force winds.
Also, our product is fast when it comes to installation or removal and one person can do it. The consumer does not need to board up two days before a storm; they can wait a bit and get a better understanding of where it is going.
HP: Who are your customers? What parts of the country do you service?
Kelley: Our customers are the individuals who cannot afford the other different types of shutter systems that are available, and the consumer that will not board up because they do not want to put holes in their homes. This product is best used in hurricane-prone regions and northern states that want to close up and protect cottages and cabins from winter storms.
HP: Is your business computerized? Do you have a company Web site, and how is it used to communicate with customers?
Kelley: Our Web site is www.shutterclamp.com. There consumers can find our test results, a two-minute instructional video and can purchase the clamping system through the site or at retail locations where they are available.
HP: Where do you see yourself and your company five years from now? Are there additional areas within the industry that you would like to get involved in?
Kelley: We are currently speaking with Home Depot about placement of our clamping system in their stores and our hope is to be in every retail outlet in the United States, Mexico, Canada and Caribbean.
We are currently working on different products to expand our line. Our new products can be incorporated with materials already available, other than plywood.
HP: What other products, if any, do you offer?
Kelley: We are currently working on a system that will work for flush mounted windows and doors. We hope to have something available in 2009. |
