Innovation in Low Places (Low Tech, That Is)

I firmly believe that innovation can happen anywhere, not just in the high dollar world of high tech. This past weekend, I got reinforcement in an unlikely guise: a bag of mulch. In the previous post (A New Brand Model for Innovation), we discussed three layers of product differentiation, and if you had asked me a week ago where mulch fit in, I would have said "commodity". How could you possibly differentiate mulch?? The Corbitt Manufacturing Company of Lake City, Florida has figured it out, and has received a patent as well. The particular product we bought is called No-Float Mulch ("Stays Where You Put It"), and received US Patent 5,301,460. One problem facing mulch customers was that the stuff would float and run off in heavy rains. H.C. Corbitt sought to rectify this, and developed a new process for "pulverizing wood product" and a new composition resulting from the process. (Briefly, there is a "shredded fine portion, a bulky portion, and a stringy binding portion", combined in a certain ratio.) The fact that it is made from cypress certainly helps (cypress doesn't tend to float as well as other woods). No-Float costs a bit more than regular mulch, but it is probably a wise investment if it doesn't need to be replaced as often. And it certainly is an inspiration to the innovator in me!