MAKO’s Inventor Help Landed Our Client into This Major Retailer

Client Spotlight: Inventor 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.

With MAKO's inventor help, our client sold his first products to a major retailer.

Our client proudly showcasing his invention at major west coat retailer, Co-Op Home Centre.

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 were circle shaped. However, plungers haven’t evolved to fit the new design still functioning with a circular head, which wouldn’t fit the hole, resulting in poor suction. Until now. MAKO’s inventor help allowed this plumber turned inventor to solve a problem he’d been battling for years. Now there’s a triangular plunger which perfectly fits modern toilet bowls, called the Tri-Plunger.

With our inventor help, the Tri-Plunger gets front and centre in Saskatoon.

The Tri-Plunger on display at Co-Op Home Centre in Saskatoon.

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 have almost sold out of their second shipment. With MAKO’s inventor help, Robert was able to achieve the inventing dream.

The Second-Generation Tri-Plunger

The Tri-Plunger has received such great feedback that there is already a second generation planned for production. The newest version will be made of a harder material able to withstand the 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, suggest excellent ideas and listening to my feedback. Th 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 designmechanical engineeringelectrical engineeringpatent referralprototyping, 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!

5 Comments

  1. Rey Juan

    February 18, 2018 at 9:14 pm

    Please publish more success stories of your inventor clients and assisted entrepreneurs.

    Reply
    • Tracey

      August 14, 2019 at 9:37 pm

      Please add a tray or holder for the plunger like toilet bowl brushes so that the liuids dont drip on floor and can store in bathroom.

      Reply
      • MAKO Design + Invent

        August 23, 2019 at 2:24 pm

        Hi Tracey,

        Thanks so much for your comment. We think that’s a great idea! Please get in touch with us at info@makodesign.com if you’d like to continue pursuing this idea. Cheers!

        Reply
  2. Brandon

    August 15, 2019 at 6:15 pm

    Hello,

    How do I contact to buy these plungers wholesale?

    Thank you,

    Reply
    • MAKO Design + Invent

      August 23, 2019 at 2:23 pm

      Hi Brandon,

      Thanks so much for your comment! The Tri-plungers will be available in Canadian Tire in less than a month, and Co-Op stores in west Canada by the end of the year. If you’d like to order yours directly, you can reach out to the inventor at: rginther@me.com. Cheers!

      Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *