Michael Mabey: Developing Applications for Our Light Weight, Patented, Fire Resistant, Non-crystalline Composite Mineral Foam for Use in Commercial Construction

We develop applications for our light weight, patented, Fire Resistant, non-crystalline composite mineral foam for use in commercial construction

Tell us about yourself?

I have been involved as a serial entrepreneur for more than 30 years. I hold 7 US patents for fire retardant coatings and fire resistant composites used in the building industry. I got involved in product development after a successful career in major account sales with Xerox. I started out selling F/R paints under my own sales umbrella and then “fell into” the product development arena when I came across an application that could not be met by the company that I was representing so I decided to explore the opportunities for fire retardant coatings – which lead to me developing several products – which in turn lead to 5 US patents filed and issued to me and the US company that I was cooperating with at the time.

If you could go back in time a year or two, what piece of advice would you give yourself?

For such a short time line, not much – but if you asked about the last 4 to 5 years I would say to be sure that the people that I was working with could be trusted to honor a confidentiality agreement. Their failure to maintain confidentiality lead to a significant set-back.

What problem does your business solve?

We produce a novel component for a US based company that forms a connection detail for their proprietary ULC-Listed, fire rated glass curtain wall assembly. That pays the bills. We are now looking at ways to expand the use of the nano-crystalline composite to create light weight, insulated, fire rated wall assemblies for the commercial, institutional and multi-family construction markets.

What is the inspiration behind your business?

We produce novel solutions to complex problem. Our composite technology and assemblies are patented in the USA and patents pending in Canada. Out most recent initiative is to convert high volume waste from the agricultural sector into light weight, insulated, Fire Resistant wall panels to provide better insulation and improved fire ratings.

What is your magic sauce?

Out “green technologies” provide significant LEED credits and “green” credits to the designer, building owners and end users.,

What is the plan for the next 5 years? What do you want to achieve?

We are part way through the process of completing a patents-pending precast, light weight wall assembly. We expect to have this development cycle completed and building code approved within the next 6 to 18 months.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced so far?

Builders are notoriously slow to adopt new products and technologies. Finding the funding to bring products through the development cycle to the building code approvals and adoption “is like birthing an elephant”. However, like the elephant, once done, the benefits can be enormous. A single project of any size can involve millions in revenue.

How do people get involved/buy into your vision?

We are looking for forward thinking individuals who can see the benefits to the planet for building “green” and conserving scarce resources by converting to renewable resources such as agricultural fibers. They need to see the benefits of labor and energy saving building practices.