Saturday 28 May 2011

Profile on… Hanson Cabinetmaking

Craig and Leslie Hanson of Hanson Cabinetmaking recently spoke to the AIC about the company’s journey along the commercialisation pathway. Hanson Cabinetmaking have designed and developed an innovative trap to collect plaster and particles used in dental treatments – enabling a cleaner and more environmental friendly way to dispose of dental waste.

1.    Briefly describe your business

Hanson Cabinetmaking is a family owned and operated business with over 40 years practical experience in cabinetmaking and building specialising in dental and medical fit outs. We have worked from Cairns in the North to Tasmania in the South and Mt Isa in the West.

Our mission statement: Hanson Cabinetmaking aims to provide a holistic and innovative approach to a project or renovation through quality craftsmanship and experience delivering “the complete package”.

2.    How did you generate the idea?

The idea was born through seeing others systems that have failed, and systems which are positioned in inconvenient locations under benches that makes for hard cleaning of the unit.  Our system is at bench height so it is easy to use and maintain, and we also have in the back of our minds work place health and safety as well as the environment.

3.    What made you decide to progress it from just an idea to a real business?

We saw it had great potential, and because we specialise in dental fit outs we could introduce it to our existing clients. We also saw a demand for the product in other industries.

4.    What were the main challenges faced?

Coming up with the idea was the easiest part, commercialising it was more difficult but it is important not to give up and to keep it moving forward. Getting the dental industry and other industries to embrace it was a challenge also.  You just have to persevere and keep beating the drum, recognising that each small progress is a milestone to commercializing the product.

5.    What tips would you pass on to other entrepreneurs who are starting out?

• Get help and advice about IP protection before you start.
• Don’t be afraid to ask for help – always be on the lookout for help – don’t sit on the idea and try to perfect it straight away.
• Develop version 1 then make improvements on it and release version 2 – do more tests and get feedback so you can improve the product with each new release.

6.    Knowing what you know now, is there anything you would have done differently?

Ask for help sooner – if we started this again it would be nice to be able to give the idea our full attention without trying to run the business that brings in the cash to build the idea. Have a belief in your idea and see its use in the future.

7.    Where do you see the business in 5 years’ time?

Much better than it is right now as we are in the stages of rebuilding after having 3 metres of January Flood water wash through the business and leave behind mud and destruction.  We’ll hopefully have a bigger business with our products going into all new surgeries.

8.    What would you suggest that AIC strives to tell government in Australia about commercialisation?

That small “Mum and Dad businesses” that have been in business for a long time find it hard to ask for help and don’t always know where or who to start with so maybe more information about what help is available, and more funding to the AIC so they can help more businesses achieve their dreams.

9.    If you could have been responsible for any innovation, what would it be and why?

• A car being fuelled by something other than fossil fuel – so the planet will last longer.
• Solar Power for everyday use at a cost for everyday people – as it is the world’s biggest wasted resource.
• Road surfaces that don’t break down as we travel a lot and it would be nice to do so without pot holes.
• Weed control without poisons to help save the planet.

10.    Which entrepreneur do you most admire and why?

• Dick Smith – as he has the same affliction as my husband (Craig Hanson) “Dyslexia” but has never let this stand in his way – ‘where there is a will there is a way’.
• Jessica Watson – although still very young she is also dyslexic and she has proved to the world that age and dyslexia are no barriers to success.

www.hansoncabinetmaking.com.au 
 

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