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> Definitely a product that is ripe for disruption. There aren't even many manufacturers. These two statements may be related. It’s not worth deploying capital

> Definitely a product that is ripe for disruption. There aren't even many manufacturers. These two statements may be related. It’s not worth deploying capital to compete if the additional competition drives profits margins to zero. Better to deploy that capital somewhere it gets better expected returns. This anti-competitive logic seems very widespread these days with such centralized global supply chains and consolidated retail chains. Not a lot of room for me to deploy a small amount of capital to create a small-medium sized manufacturing facility of this stuff to chip away at 10-50% of the demand around the edges of the marginal profits. Mainly because it would be difficult to get my products into Home Depot and Lowe’s if I can’t supply their whole national chain. And that’s assuming Home Depot and Lowe’s haven’t agreed to any exclusivity with the current manufacturers which I’d need private equity money to beat.

latchkey 4y ago
You're right on all fronts, my only comment is that there is a lot of room for product improvement though. $800+ for 3 sheets of plastic, and that is it, is absurd. They don't even interlock or have trim for the corners... example... https://www.homedepot.com/p/WOODBRIDGE-Haydon-32-in-x-60-in-x-96-in-Solid-Surface-3-Piece-Easy-Up-Adhesive-Alcove-Shower-Wall-Surround-in-High-Gloss-White-HWP4300/314842961 https://www.homedepot.com/p/WOODBRIDGE-Haydon-32-in-x-60-in-... Of course adding those items would cost even more, so it is a bit of a race to zero. That said, if you can get a following by homebuilders and into every single new housing project, it might be worth it. I'm sure having some sort of inside track advantage there would be necessary too. None of which I personally have, but as an end user of this stuff, I'd be more than happy to support and provide feedback on.

latchkey 4y ago

You're right on all fronts, my only comment is that there is a lot of room for product improvement though. $800+ for 3 sheets of plastic, and that is it, is absurd. They don't even interlock or have trim for the corners... example... https://www.homedepot.com/p/WOODBRIDGE-Haydon-32-in-x-60-in-x-96-in-Solid-Surface-3-Piece-Easy-Up-Adhesive-Alcove-Shower-Wall-Surround-in-High-Gloss-White-HWP4300/314842961 https://www.homedepot.com/p/WOODBRIDGE-Haydon-32-in-x-60-in-... Of course adding those items would cost even more, so it is a bit of a race to zero. That said, if you can get a following by homebuilders and into every single new housing project, it might be worth it. I'm sure having some sort of inside track advantage there would be necessary too. None of which I personally have, but as an end user of this stuff, I'd be more than happy to support and provide feedback on.