Join us for a special episode recorded live from the InstallerShow, featuring an insightful conversation with Clifford, the visionary inventor behind Space Plug. A former handyman, Cliff shares his remarkable 12-year journey into invention, culminating in the creation of his "little orange widget". Discover how he organically built his business from the ground up, achieving impressive sales of over 14 million Space Plugs, consistently earning 5-star reviews from fitters worldwide.
Cliff recounts his experience at the show, describing it as "exciting" and one of the "maddest" and most "vibrant" he's ever attended, complete with unique mascots. A highlight of the episode is Clifford's proud announcement of
Space Plug's victory over Samsung in the prestigious KBB Innovation Awards 2024, a testament to the product's ingenuity and impact on the kitchen industry.
Dive deep into the problem Space Plug solves: eliminating the traditional "service void" in kitchen units that leads to material waste and installation headaches. Clifford explains how Space Plug allows manufacturers to save significant material (up to a kilo per standard install, potentially 1 million square meters globally). For kitchen fitters, Space Plug offers a revolutionary solution, making unit installation up to six times faster and using 10% less material, while ensuring screw accessibility for future maintenance.
Cliff shares the "light bulb moment" that sparked the invention, rooted in his own frustrations with traditional L-brackets as a young carpenter. Learn about the practical steps he took, from securing a patent with his father's support to finding plastics development consultants and manufacturers. He also reveals how early engagement with online forums provided crucial "proof of concept" and confidence from experienced professionals.
Looking ahead, Cliff teases the future of Space Plug, including its evolution into a "leg for the wall" and other product extensions, with the goal of making "datum pegs" and "Space Plug evolution" an industry standard. He embraces new competition, believing it will ultimately expand the market for innovative kitchen fitting solutions.
Relevant Keywords: Space Plug, kitchen innovation, kitchen fitting
The KBB Unstoppable Business Owner podcast is sponsored by KBN - Kitchens & Bathrooms NewsTHE business magazine for kitchen and bathroom professionals.
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