New Dulux Weathershield Painting System

Dulux Weathershield launches new painting system – now for the exterior of the house.

21st September 2009

ICI Paints AkzoNobel launched its new exterior painting system called the Dulux Weathershield BackPack Roller SystemTM in selected stores. This is the third product system developed for ICI Paints AkzoNobel by Cambridge Design Partnership of Cambridge, UK.

The Weathershield BackPack Roller System is an ultra portable, battery-powered pump technology that you can wear in its special rucksack. With the supplied (AA) batteries, you can paint up to 15 litres of paint without ever once dipping a roller into a paint tray. The system is supplied with a rucksack, while an extension pole and an edging kit worn on a belt are sold separately – all very useful when you are at the top of a ladder.

The core technology is the combination of a new formulation of paint, the novel pumping system, wireless control systems and a new roller design. All are packaged to create a solution in which exterior walls, even those that have been pebble dashed, can be painted quickly, cleanly and safely.

Laura Knight, Innovation Manager at ICI Paints AkzoNobel commented: “Our insight was that most of our consumers find painting the exterior of their homes daunting, which is putting them off doing the task. Their concerns mostly revolve around the scale of the project and the worry of climbing ladders while holding painting materials. With the Dulux Weathershield BackPack Roller System we targeted these concerns directly: By putting the paint into a rucksack and delivering it straight to the roller and onto the wall, our consumers can now apply paint more quickly, the project is completed in a shorter time and is therefore less daunting. But most importantly, our valuable consumers always have a spare hand for the ladder. By making it safer, we believe that consumers will feel empowered to paint their homes themselves. By making it easier, they are likely to repaint more often. The introduction of this Product System has therefore given us a significant competitive advantage in our market niche.”

Mike Cane, Founder and Director of Cambridge Design Partnership explained: “The PaintPod made it easy for Dulux’s consumers to paint the interior of their homes. This new Dulux Weathershield BackPack Roller System now makes it as easy to paint the exterior. The present slump in the UK’s housing market means that moving home isn’t possible for many of us and so the next best thing is to redecorate. ICI Paints AkzoNobel’s expertise in creating novel paint compositions and the simple hardware we created solved the problems that consumers complained about. As a result, we all do a lot more DIY and buy more Dulux paint.”

The Weathershield Backpack Roller System is in selected UK stores. A movie of the Weathershield Backpack Roller System in use can be seen at:
www.dulux.co.uk/products/weathershield/backpack.jsp

Ends

About Cambridge Design Partnership
Cambridge Design Partnership is a successful research and development consultancy focused on creating value for our clients by converting ideas and technology into commercial success. Our clients come from medical, industrial and consumer industries and they have one thing in common: they see investment in innovation as fundamental to growth and competitive advantage. Working as an integrated team, we operate ahead of market change with a dynamic, flexible approach that leads to enduring client relationships, anchored by high quality work and excellent customer service. Our staff of engineers, scientists and designers has grown rapidly to establish a world leading reputation for technical excellence, astute project management and, above all, thinking differently.

Contact information
Mike Cane (Director and Founder)
Cambridge Design Partnership LLP
Church Road, Toft
Cambridgeshire
CB23 2RF
United Kingdom
t: +44 1223 264 428
e: news@cambridge-design.co.uk
w: www.cambridge-design.co.uk