Jason Burns of Shurtape discusses why collaboration is key in R&D when producing products for the trades
Shurtape works closely with professionals when it comes to research and development. With an extensive portfolio of decorating products sold under our FrogTape and Duck Tape brands, not to mention our T-Rex and Kip Tapes, we are always sensitive to creating valuable products that are needed – products that bring something new to market.
We pride ourselves on our collaborative approach to new product development, working in partnership with professional decorators to truly understand the tools that they might need to support them in their field. This is about making their job easier, at the end of the day.
It is this approach that led the Shurtape team to recognising and understanding a need for two new products, which have just been launched in the UK. The first of these is a pro grade flashing and waterproofing tape and the other is new double-sided tape – perfect for decorators. The key to them both was realising the importance of different surfaces and textures to professional tradespeople, and duration of performance.
FrogTape Pro Grade Flashing and Waterproofing Tape has been launched to provide reliable weatherproof seals around windows and doors in residential and commercial projects. Our building professionals have highlighted the need to have a tape that is longer-lasting than those currently on the market, one that will work on a range of surfaces. Traditionally, professionals will use Butyl flashing tape – but this is not always as effective as desired.
In order to provide that longer-lasting grip, even on uneven surfaces, this tape has been created with high-performance ShurGRIP acrylic adhesive, using UV technology. This delivers several advantages over traditional Butyl flashing tape. It creates a stable adhesive system that won’t break down over time, instead creating a stronger bond. It also provides superior performance and conformability across a range of hot temperatures and climates and gives excellent adhesion to all building materials with no need for a primer, and it won’t react with caulks and sealants.
Available in three sizes, FrogTape Pro Grade Flashing and Waterproof Tape provides a waterproof seal and easily bends around building transitions, edges and corners, with initial opportunity to reposition before sealing for a superior, durable bond after installation. What’s more, it is manufactured without solvents, thermal ovens, pollutants or greenhouse gasses, making it a more sustainable sealing option for builders.
It was then our work with professional decorators that led us to another gap in the market and to develop FrogTape Containment Tape – a premium painter’s masking tape on one side, to stick to surfaces such as drywall, wood trim, glass, plastic and vinyl, with an aggressive adhesive on the other side which can adhere to polysheets and plastics.
This product was created following discussion with professional builders and decorators who were working on multi-room jobs over longer lead times. They talked about longer-lasting solutions, that could help them protect different areas while carrying out different building and decorating tasks. We realised that there was a real need for a tape that has very different adhesive properties on either side, in order to provide a truly secure and versatile seal and most importantly, to help save time on the job by containing dust, paint or fumes effectively for the duration needed – in a one-step solution.
We started to look at how we could provide the specific adhesives necessary for safely and swiftly securing different textures, over longer periods of time. This resulting tape is perfect for poly-sheeting, dropcloths, decorating sheets, tarps and other protective coverings. With secure adhesion for up to 21 days, the tape provides sealed protection for dust containment as well as spray painting, making it ideal for a range of interior tasks including decorating, cleaning, sanding, mould remediation and asbestos removal. Hand-tearable and able to stick to smooth and uneven surfaces, the 36mm x 22.8m white tape removes quickly and easily with no residue.
Having the right tools for the job is a key part of delivering the best possible results when you are a tradesperson, as well as being highly skilled, of course. We enjoy good relationships with all our professional customers thanks to the investment we make in research and development.
Trust comes from the long-term investments we make in ensuring the quality of our service and product, the enjoyment of the whole customer service experience, and how we build customer relationships.
It’s about creating products with the professional in mind.
For further information on Shurtape visit Shurtape UK | Cloth, Masking and Packaging Tapes UK.
