Business success is never the result of sheer luck. There’s a certain grit – an unwavering resolution to seek out products or services that consumers want and then deliver them in a big way. A successful entrepreneur listens and learns, reacts to trends, stays ahead of the competition and some, like Bryan Cribbett, sprinkle in a little ‘kool factor’ too.
What started out as just a hobby, working all hours in the garage has expanded quickly from hydrographics into cerakote, powdercoating and even laser engraving. Kool Koatings is now a one stop coatings shop with full wholesale production quantities and is ISO 9001:2015 Certified!
Bryan Cribbett’s background in mechanical engineering, building trades and previous self-employment efforts have melded together to propel Kool Koatings to the forefront of the Canadian hydrographics industry.
Hydrographics (aka water transfer printing or dipping) is an incredible 3D process that allows any water submersible item to be customized with a fantastic design. All-terrain vehicles, golf carts, dashboards, helmets, bikes, automotive trim, sports accessories – plastic, metal, fibreglass, wood, ceramic – all dippable!
A water-soluble film with elaborate patterns (wood grain, camo, geometrical designs, metal finishes, natural scenes etc.) is laid on water in a specialized tank and activated. The dippable item has been prepared and painted. The surface tension of the water allows the pattern to remain after the film has dissolved and with careful, knowledgeable precision, the item is rotated such that the ink pattern curves around each corner, groove, bend and crevice. The ink adheres and will not wash or scratch off. The proud owner now has a rifle, bike frame, thermos and in one case so far, a pair of shoes, unlike any other.
CBC News reported the BDC findings that ‘the desire for customized goods’ ranked in the top 5 trends shaping our future. “Consumers are looking to get exactly what they want and new technology makes it possible for them to buy it.” www.cbc.ca/news/business
With access to 1000’s of film designs, Bryan fully delivers on the desire for custom or personalized items.
He has recently started doing prototypes for Sabian cymbals, motocross parts for team sponsored riders, Pelican product coolers, drinkware, cases including customized tumblers.
He has delivered a camouflage-inspired line of paddles to Sail Outdoor stores. Roam around the luxury JetSuiteX website and you’ll see Kool Koatings gorgeous wood grain finished chair trays that adorn the fleet along with the marble finished sinks in the jet’s bathrooms.
Whether it’s one hockey helmet, a full team of helmets or a company wanting to design a signature line of products to stand out in the crowd, Bryan welcomes the job. Walking around his Kool Koatings facility in Belleville and checking out the decorated bike pedals, wooden doors, coffee containers or duck calls, every guest exclaims the same thing “that’s so kool!”
Kool Koating’s work can now be found all over the world with doing work for another local business, Savage Arms, out of Lakefield, Ontario. They are currently working with other companies to start providing finished products for Military applications which will also be used around the world!
“We were incredibly impressed with Bryan’s skills, uniqueness of product offering, ambition and innovative thinking. We are here to assist local start ups such as this along with existing businesses needing financing, to bolstering the local economy and casting attention on the region.” says Amber Darling, Trenval’s Business & Investment Advisor. “The Board and Staff of Trenval are proud to have been a part of his success story!”
Find Bryan online at www.koolkoatings.com and call him to discuss ‘getting dipped’.
About Trenval
Trenval Business Development Corporation is Bay of Quinte’s Community Futures Business Specialist, financing business start-ups, expansions or successions in the Quinte region for 34 years. Trenval provides small business support by offering various small business loans to entrepreneurs to start, grow and thrive their business in our local communities.
Do you have a business plan that you would like to bring to fruition? Contact Trenval at 613-961-7999.
