NiVoice Taking the stress out of potty training
The Potette Plus® has changed the lives of parents worldwide. Distributed in the UK by Bibs + Stuff, we talk to inventor Alan Sandy to find out how a passing comment became a ‘must have’ product....
Evolving from the original and ever popular Potette, the POTETTE PLUS® offers the ideal toilet training solution when on the move. Whether a child needs a potty or toilet trainer seat, the POTETTE PLUS®covers it all. This fantastic product was invented by Alan Sandy, who couldn't believe the amount of paraphernalia his sister Gillian Wright had to take with her when going out with her little one - from the bulky potty to the change of clothes, wipes and toiletries needed in case of an accident. The POTETTE PLUS® was designed to allow a desperate child to be able to go just about anywhere, giving parents peace of mind when out and about. It folds down neatly and can even be stored in its own hygienic bag ready for use. Alan's company is aptly named ‘Thank Heavens’, which resonates well with the millions of parents who have discovered the product.
You invented the Potette over 20 years ago. Tell us about your design background and how the product originated? I was MD of a printing company, when in semi retirement my sister came to me and said she was fed up with carrying a potty about all the time. "Why can't I have one that folds up and fits in my bag?" she asked. This got me thinking. I did some market research and found that the concept was very popular with mums. That was in 1989. In 1990 the Potette, the first folding potty for use with disposables on the market worldwide, was born.
Was it an immediate hit with the consumer? It was yes. I patented the design immediately then licensed Tommee Tippee to distribute it. At that time, it was basically a folding potty used with disposables. It proved a great product for continuous potty training outside of the home. Stores like Mothercare, John Lewis and Tesco took to it, as it continued the ethos of disposable nappies.
Alan Sandy
What support/advice do you offer retailers that stock the product? I pop into stores when travelling around; they are always saying the product is very popular and are forever running out of liners! We offer retailers great packaging and PoS; it's very compact, offering huge returns on the space it takes up on the shop floor. Originally we put the product in a cardboard box, this proved useless; then it went into a carrier bag so that it could hang on pegs, but that wasn't very successful either…it’s only in the last 6/7 years that we have perfected the packaging!
The Potette Plus® makes travelling with young
children that much easier. This portable potty folds flat for easy transportation. The legs unfold quickly and simply to create a standard sized potty. Up to three super-absorbent biodegradable and
fragranced liners can be stored in the Potette Plus®
ready for use. After use, the liner is then disposed of as you would a disposable nappy. The new Potette
Plus® Liners are biodegradable. The travel potty is suitable from 15 months and the trainer seat is suitable from 2 years. Now also available with a re-usable liner for more cost effective and environmentally friendly use in the home (sold separately.)
What has been the feedback from parents? Fantastic. You only have to take a look at some of the comments on Amazon: "I looked at a few travel potties and I’m so glad I got this one! It’s easy to use and the fact that you can use it as a toilet seat is fab!" "I got this for my little ones for when we go camping, it takes up very little
room and is more convenient than a potty you have to clean out after every use; just tie the bag up and done!"
Launched in February
2008 POTETTE PLUS® has received a selection of awards including:
Practical Parenting & Pregnancy GOLD Award for Best Travel Product 2010/11
Practical Parenting & Pregnancy GOLD Award for Best Toilet /Potty Training Product 2010/11 Practical Parenting & Pregnancy GOLD Award for Best Toilet Training Product 2009/10 Practical Pre-School Gold Award 2008 in Childcare Category
Practical Pre-School Gold Award 2008 in Childcare Category And more worldwide....
Has it undergone any updates since? Four years ago when the patent expired, the product was updated to include the facility of being a toilet seat so that it could be used in the home as well – so in February 2008, it became the POTETTE PLUS®. The most recent improvement is now an added accessory – a re-usabler liner, which we launched at Harrogate last month. This makes the POTETTE PLUS® more cost effective in the home and more environmentally friendly too.
Was the Potette invented purely for purposes of convenience, or does it help with the toilet training process overall? Initially it was invented for convenience, but the knock on effect is that mothers are less worried about starting potty training. With less concern about accidents when out and about, they are prepared to potty train earlier, which saves on nappy costs. Over 9 million disposable nappies are used in this country every day, so it saves on waste too. The POTETTE PLUS® offers more convenience, and creates less anxiety for the parent and child. The child now potties when they want to, accelerating potty training.
www.nursery-industry.co.uk • APRIL 2012 • NURSERY INDUSTRY • 15
How do you ensure that nothing else on the market matches the POTETTE PLUS®? You have to have a patent in each country. One of the advantages in Europe is that one patent covers the entire European community. It's an expensive business, but it's vital the design is protected worldwide.
How has the industry changed over the years?
There is a big fear of commitment nowadays. In the old days a buyer could see a
product and say, 'yes I like that' and bang it went in. The relationship between the buyer and supplier has changed. The financial climate has had some impact on the introduction of innovation – it doesn’t encourage buyers to be adventurous. That’s why the POTETTE PLUS® is gaining so much ground – it's an established product, there is no risk attached.
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