A DRAGON'S DEN reject who went on to capture a number of multi-million pound contracts was in Belfast yesterday to see how his 'failed' ThermaSkirt product became a massive hit with the public in Northern Ireland. Martin Wadsworth was opening Tri-Power Environmental Energy's new interactive showroom at Westbank Business Park.
When the entrepreneur appeared on the BBC2 show in 2008, he was rounded on by the Dragons after asking for £150,000 for a 10 per cent stake in his company DiscreteHeat, which manufactures "ThermaSkirt" - a radiator that looks exactly like a skirting board.
But Mr Wadsworth had the last laugh, putting the rejection behind him to land several multi-million pound orders for ThermaSkirt.
ThermaSkirt works by using aluminium that is shaped and styled like a skirting board but with built-in pipes. These pipes are then heated with hot water from the central heating system.
The system saves valuable wall space and has also been proven to be anything up to 25 per cent more energy efficient than radiators.
The ThermaSkirt is now on view at the new Tri-Power Belfast showroom, which displays the latest range of high-tech environmentally friendly heating products including solar panels, bio mass boilers, under-floor heating and air-to-water heat pumps.
Tri-Power owner Wayne Hutton is expanding his renewable energy business with seven extra engineers and a manager being recruited to the 30-plus existing workforce.
"The unique aspect of our interactive showroom is that most of the products are operational and are providing heat and hot water to our administration offices, training room, kitchen/dining area and toilets on the ground and first floors," he said.
"We believe potential clients should have a first-hand opportunity to see boilers and systems operating, look and understand the controls and have a full understanding of what they are buying before it is installed. Architects, consultants and contractors can also see how the equipment is installed before they fit it whch will save a lot of site time and money."
Source:
THE IRISH NEWS - Friday 22nd January 2010
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