DoorButler® Partnerships
Update: A dedicated OEM has proposed exclusiveness as of 02-16-06.
Our company is seeking partnership opportunities including dedicated licensing of our inventions to a dedicated OEM/ODM for further development, and seeking investors for developing the DoorButler® Premier™ closer and related hardware line. A current test market of Premier™ closer continues to sell similar to the market leaders.
Please evaluate our Executive Summary and contact us for more information.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Updated 14-JUL-2007
The Company
R.A. Products Co., Inc. (RAPCO™) is a Colorado based, currently C Corporation est. 1996. All company stock is currently held by Ricardo Alonso (President), issued as common w/ 100,000 shares @ par value of $100.00/ share. Principal address: 111 So. Perry St., Denver, CO 80219 USA; phone: 303-742-9551; email: rapco@netzero.net.
Company Mission
To develop intellectual property including inventions and trademarks principally owned by Ricardo Alonso. Several patented & patent pending inventions have led to components that substantially improved the common closer for residential screen and storm doors, and add very little cost to the device. At this time the company is seeking combined: A) licensing of these inventions to either one or all OEM/ODM for further development; B) investors for developing the DoorButler® Premier™ door closer and related hardware line; C) further expansion of RAPCO™ for continued research and development of other inventive concepts including the solicitation for such.
Products and Services
Only two components are required for creating a preferred door closer: the REDThing™ hold tab, and a neodymium magnet molded into a plastic cup. Several door closer products derive which are currently test marketed under DoorButler®: A) a closer repair kit featuring the REDThing™ hold tab to universally replace worn or missing tabs on existing closers; B) Premier™ magnetic door closer which is the first in history capable of two hold option: basic hold & immediate hold; C) PremierPlus™ door closer which includes a jamb bracket plate. Other related products are possible including a multi-pivot slide bracket, and an improved caulking gun. Non-related products are numerous and show even greater potential then door closers... truly!
Marketing and Sales Strategy
RAPCO™ suggests continued retail sales of the REDThing™ replacement hold tab kit. A small test market has yielded nearly 25,000 stamped units since 1999, selling mostly in hardware stores for approx. $3.89 retail. Customers identify their closer by the tab’s reddish color which positions them for the Premier™ closer. The Premier™ closer offers substantially improved performance by adding very little cost and minimal effort to replace. Thus, door company markets can purchase the improved closer at near the same cost of a standard closer. Niche marketing via television ads could offer the closer such as two for $19.99 plus S&H, or available at participating stores. Numerous strategies could quickly drive and control the steadfast market.
Target Market
Worldwide markets for door closers comprises between 10-12MM (million/yr) for US, Canadian, and Australian markets. Consumers of closers are familiar with the problems that our superior components resolve. Many consumers do not readily replace closers due to worn or missing parts, therefore the REDThing™ kit ultimately positions for the closer sale. In this respect, closers equipped with these components might dictate future sales especially beneficial for a single OEM.
Market Readiness
A U.S. regional survey indicates that 89% of single-family residences comprised at least one storm or screen door equipped with a closer. Realizing there are over 100,000,000 homes in America alone, new markets for our patented products could be exceptional. Again, international markets primarily include US, Canada, and Australia. Ready wholesale markets could include small door companies, independent hardware stores, etc… It is important to emphasis that our components set a new standard for the steadfast door closer industry, by offering a substantially improved yet low-cost device. Because there is very little cost added, it should not be difficult to establish within every market.
The Competition
The competition is well aware of our components. The most important feature about our Premier™ door closer is the ability for the user to “immediately” set the hold open option, and then just push the door slightly outward to close. There are several other competitor devices capable of immediate hold which are popular. However, these mostly uses a push button system which is complicated and thus substantially increases the cost, and, do not offer the “basic” hold option like Premier™. Please note that at this time there appears to be no other method or apparatus capable of further improving closers such as with our patented and pending inventions.
Stage of Development
In Feb-06 an offshore OEM (Original Equipment Mfg) provided 5,000 units of a superior closer for our Premier™ test market and preproduction run. A five year exclusive license was under review wherein their total projected distribution was approx. 15MM. However, the offer has been rescinded by RAPCO while another firm with 27 years has established great interest and is currently reviewing the project. Thus, at this time RAPCO™ will continue to produce the REDThing™ tab and magnetic cup for post-assembly onto our preproduction closer units. RAPCO is now preparing to purchase production tooling for exclusive distribution of our brand only. Numerous companies have expressed interest including some of the largest door/window companies known. On hand machinery includes powder coating, plastic injection, and blister packaging.
The Future
Once perfected, our inventions appear to be capable of substantially influencing the door closer industry if not completely dictating all future markets. A current test market of Premier™ closer continues to sell nearly as many devices as the leading competitor. Further expansion of RAPCO™ will continue towards research and development of other inventive concepts including the solicitation for such. A confidential agreement will reveal several other inventive concepts currently and scheduled patent pending.
http://www.doorbutler.com for info, demonstration, samples, etc…
US Pats & Pats Pend.: US.D395,995; US.D425,776; US.D425,399; US.5,829,098; US.5,953,789; US.6,032,331; US.6,397,431; US.6,640,387 . Door Butler®; The RedThing™; Charlie™; MagChek™; Premier™; Ultra™; Retro™; the reddish colored hold-open tab; and others are trademarks of R.A. Products Co. Inc., Denver, CO USA. Copyright © 1996-2005 RAPCO™ & Ricardo Alonso. Website by RAPCO