A Clever resolution to a difficult problem has launched a North Balwyn plumber on the road to manufacturing success. While unblocking drains at his home Norm Ladson thought of a way to make the job easier.

He devised a nozzle to fit on the end of a hose which sprays water at high pressure on an angle hitting the sides of the drain and clearing debris. “I came up with this idea and it worked brilliantly, and then used it around the home and it had more uses than I thought” he said.

Car companies have written to him marvelling at how well his device clears difficult-to-get-to parts of engines, and it also can be used to clean wheelie bins, boats and to remove moss mould.
Mr Ladson invested 530,000 develop the prototype for manufacture and soon became involved in a whole new world of packaging, artwork, marketing and promotions. His foray into invention and marketing began 12 months ago, and although he has yet to recoup his investment. He has sold 50,000 units and is hoping for success on overseas markets.

Although the sceptics dismissed the nozzle, saying it would never sell, Mr Ladson has proven them Wrong. "It's very enjoyable because it's my own product and to sell that amount was exciting." " I'll spend about 30 hours each week promoting the product and the remainder of my time operating my business, Balwyn North Plumbing." But Mr Ladson admits it was not easy getting the product on to the market. "It was very difficult to get it up and running: you need an element of luck and a good product." he said. "You have to do all the work yourself because no one else is going to do it for you."
Mr Ladson is a member of the Inventors Association of Victoria which provides advice to inventors trying to promote a new product, and Austrade is helping push his product overseas.
The nozzle, which is manufactured in Dingley under contract and is the only clearing nozzle on the market, will provide maximum water pressure on any hose.

Clear waste drain pipe

The Super Blaster comes fitted with a 2 meter length of industrial hose and a standard click-in hose fitting.

The Super Blaster is available at Bunning's Warehouse RRP: $27.00

Click here for more information on the Super Blaster