Page 89 - History-of-flooringLR

structural criteria had been met.’ After numerous rounds of a patent for the Model 07 in 2011. Additionally, Richards went to
self-patterning and actual field testing, he connected with a great efforts to offer the cushions in two thicknesses, 5/8” and 1”, to
German engineer out of Maine, who specialised in plastics. After a provide his customers with optimal comfort.
year of work on the official mold, it was ready to be shot with
plastic. ‘One of the most exciting things for me to ever witness Richards states the major catalyst for all these changes, “To make it
were those first plastic parts. As I was looking at them, I said these easy for the customers to rebuild the knee pads at home. From day
parts are going to make me some money.’ That aluminum mold one, I wanted all the parts to be replaceable,” an essential pillar to
created thousands of parts over the span of 25 years for both the ProKnee’s ethos. By 2014, growth of sales and experience enabled
Original Model and its successor, the Model 07. Richards to re-engineer the frames, which further streamlined
production methods and power boosted the frame’s tensile strength
The journey to produce the Original Model kneepad was just one and structural integrity. This newest (current) model expanded
hurdle of many achieved in the beginning. Its patent was granted in ProKnee’s personalized offering to accommodate two knee widths,
1989, but bringing it to market created a whole different set of Model 0714 Standard and Model 0714E Wide. These advancements
challenges to overcome. Initially, ProKnee connected with a big were granted 3 more patents in 2019/2020 across the US, Canada
distributor in the Northeast and did about 20 regional trade shows and Europe with one more currently pending. In 2016, Richards’
with them to bring the product to market. ‘We had super success released a more refined, robust version of his first all-purpose
with the product however, all the sizes made it very difficult for this kneepad (the PNAP, 1989) known as the AP16. Utilizing live hinges
distributor to handle the end transaction, ie, getting the right size to that provide maximum flexibility in extreme kneeling situations, the
AP16 was most recently granted its patent in 2021.
Jennifer, Richards’ wife helped grow exposure
working tradeshows in the early years Other notable products added to the ProKnee line include the
GoofProof Wall Trimmer and the Treadman Multi Angle Stair Tread
Cutting System with patents granted in 2020 and 2013 respectively.
Richards also added some accessories to the line over the years,
which include a tool pouch, called the Propouch and an Over
Shoulder Carry Case for hauling ProKnee kneepads. Most recently,
Richards was granted a patent in 2022 for his development of the
Smartlock Plus Buckle, a quick release buckle that positively locks in
your strap length, which enabled the company to control the
process and quality of the buckles for all existing models in the line.
By 2020, the company’s sales had outgrown its capabilities to
efficiently process orders. The distribution network had grown to
over 400 locations across the States with global expansion to seven
countries, including an exclusive distributor for the UK, Floormart Ltd
out of Leicester.
‘What means the most to me is the products that we make are
the right customer. We concluded our business with them helping our customers stay in the business that they love by
prematurely because customer service was very important for me to supporting the income they’re making to raise their families. Our
have for my customers, the end users. The sizing was a difficult products are directly related to the income levels of a lot of our
situation to have with a product like this. It was high priced with customers, because we’re making their careers easier to do and
multiple sizes. We knew that the installation community needed it longer lasting. If you pick a trade, then you better pick items that will
because it was saving knees. But the only problem was getting make you last as long as possible because if you don’t do that, the
distributors to carry that many sizes was where the learning curve alternative is you won’t be doing what you love for a very long time.’
needed to be had.’ After another failed attempt at obtaining a
distributor to carry his product, Richards said to himself, ‘if ProKnee 001 1 800 549 5018
is ever going to amount to anything… if these kneepads are ever info@proknee.com
going to make it in the market, then it’s going to have to be a www.proknee.com
self-promotion. The product is going to have to sell itself because I
can’t sell through distribution. So the only other way to do it is to
sell to end users.’ So that’s exactly what he did.
In 1995, Richards made a final attempt to bring his kneepads to market
before scrapping the idea altogether. Taking a bold chance and a
credit card loan, he ran a full page, full colour ad in Floor Covering
News, an American retail flooring publication with massive circulation.
‘And then lo and behold… the phone started ringing. Slow at first, it
took some time for sales to start off, but they started to gain
momentum after the first year or so, especially after that first ad. I was
figuring out that there is a way to direct market to the end user.’ Then
he discovered Floor Covering Installer, another American flooring
publication with cheaper rates that hit his exact target audience, the
installer. At the same time, the internet was in its watershed year.
Richards’ brother, who specialised in information technology was the
key to strategising the development of the first ProKnee website,
which was initially an information-based launch pad for phone orders.
The website eventually evolved to take orders over the internet. The
‘90s saw the company through numerous tradeshows throughout the
USA, notably Surfaces in Las Vegas, eliciting further exposure and
acceptance. With enough market share, Richards was finally able to
pick up distributors along an array of road trips and customer
appreciation days peppered across the US.
After 24 years installing, Richards finally decided to give up his
installation business, which allowed him to concentrate on growing
the ProKnee brand full time. Now came production hurdles to
overcome. By 2005, the company began preparation for the release
of its second generation custom fit kneepad, the Model 07. This
version solved a cushion slippage issue by mechanically fastening
the cushions to the frames that were previously adhered. He also The ad that saved ProKnee, 1995
added an Anti-Twist Cuff to the cushions, which eventually achieved

The History of Flooring 89