Saving soles: New technology rescues gum-laden sidewalks
The Business Journal of Phoenix - February 2, 2007
by
Ty YoungThe Business Journal
A year ago, Valley Real Estate professional, Derek Mills found himself in a sticky situation. After stepping in twice in one week a light bulb went off. How could he turn this all too common problem into a booming business?
After talking to a few business owners and commercial property managers, he had his answer.
Mills created
GumBlasters of Arizona, a company that uses a special European technology to remove dried gum with 350-degree dry- steam. The innovative approach improves upon the typical style of gum removal, called power washing, Mills said.
"Using steam is environmentally safe and basically works faster," he said. "There is no wasted water, which will just end up spraying all over the windows and buildings when power washing."
The GumBlasters machine directs steam onto the gum, lifting it off the most textured surfaces, Mills said. Instead of power washing, which forces dozens of gallons of water on the gum, or leaving cuts on the surface by scraping the gum off, the steam leaves no evidence it’s been used.
"You're just left with a clean surface," Mills said.
The steam-cleaning machine uses a special, environmentally safe additive to help lift gum off any texture in 10 seconds. Mills would not say what that ingredient is, but said it works.
Others in the Valley agree.
Since starting the company in August, he has held presentations for dozens of companies, landing his first job at the Chandler Center for the Arts in December. Citing competitive reasons, Mills would not disclose the value of the deal.
"I was very intrigued by it. It was a different technology than what we've used in the past," said Katrina Mueller, manager of the Chandler Center of the Arts.
For years, the center used traditional means to remove gum, both power washing and scraping. After witnessing the GumBlasters method, Mueller said the comparison was "night and day."
With this particular technology it basically evaporates the gum," she said. "There was no residue left and no marks left from scraping."
Mills also currently is negotiating deals with
Arizona State University,
Wells Fargo & Co. and
Life Time Fitness in Tempe, but would not say how close he is to signing a contract with them.
"I think it's a very good service," said Tom Sassatelli, associate buyer in the ASU purchasing department. "We think it's very viable."
Tom Stumper, operations manager at Life Time Fitness in Tempe, said he expects to use GumBlasters in the near future.
"The service is awesome," he said. "I was impressed by how fast and clean the process was."
Mills, who lives in Gilbert, expects the business to take off, considering all of the gum-chewers in the Valley. Since starting the business, he has immersed himself in the chemicals and ingredients in gum.
"It's the gum base that is left on the ground after all the flavors wash out," he said. "That's the black mark on the ground, the stuff that sticks to your feet, that follows you home."
Along with his employees, Mills conducts daily demonstrations for companies across the Valley. Charging around .10 to .50 cents per square foot, he hopes to capitalize on the thousands of miles of walkways and storefronts in need of a quick facelift.
"We are really the only environmentally sound and cost-effective solution to this problem," he said. "You wouldn't go to a restaurant if it had dirty windows or food stuck on the menu. It really is pollution in many ways."
Get connected
GumBlasters:
http://www.gumblasters-az.com/
