Supporting facts:
The market - chemical drain cleaner :
(1)”The more specific-use products, such as drain cleaners, rug shampoo, oven cleaner and toilet bowl cleaners are used by nearly half (or more) of all households.” Expose Household 2004 http://www.cleanones.com/expose.htm
According to Drano and Liquid Plumr websites, hair is a common cause of drain clogs:
Drano - http://www.drano.com/clogs/
...
Most drain clogs are caused by the gradual accumulation of organic matter, hair and grease
...
Liquid Plumr - http://www.liquidplumr.com/didyouknow/index.html
...Hair clogs often form around the stopper mechanism ...
(2) “Drain Openers Slip to $183 Million“ The Household Cleaning Products Market based on InfoScan data supplied by IRI (Information Resources, Inc)
http://www.packagedfacts.com/product/print/default.asp?productid=112838 (3) Bio Enzymes (drain opener, drain cleaner, etc.) $157,816,000
2004 Report on Sanitary Supply Distributor Sales http://www.cleanlink.com/industrystatistics/2004sanitaryreport.asp
Market need - chemical drain cleaners dangerous and ineffective:
"...removes 38% of hanging hair compared to Drano's 7%".
(4) Clorox Plumbs Warchest for $18M In Answer to Drano Foamer Brandweek
http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BDW/is_30_40/ai_55301180
Consumer Reports:
"The tests showed that most of the chemical drain cleaners--even though they contain strong chemicals--weren't very effective. Even after half an hour, very little of the pipe had opened up".
http://www.kfoxtv.com/money/11203680/detail.html
"When the solution is the problem"
“Chemical drain cleaners are dangerous in so many ways,” says Melisa W. Lai, M.D., a toxicologist at the American Association of Poison Control Centers. “
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/home-garden/cooking-cleaning/drain-cleaners-11-06/safety/1106_drain_safety_1.htm?resultPageIndex=1&resultIndex=2&searchTerm="drain%20cleaner"
Labor-saving gadgets in demand:
"Sales of all P&G's gadget-related items grew 16% last year and now total about 8% of its $54 billion in annual sales".
Business Week, February 2005, "Welcome to Procter & Gadget"
http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/05_06/b3919119.htm?chan=search |
