{"id":5614,"date":"2023-02-01T11:41:24","date_gmt":"2023-02-01T17:41:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tileshopblog.wpengine.com\/?p=5614"},"modified":"2023-02-01T16:37:10","modified_gmt":"2023-02-01T22:37:10","slug":"how-one-tile-installer-built-a-brand-trusted-by-pros","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tileshopblog.wpengine.com\/how-one-tile-installer-built-a-brand-trusted-by-pros\/","title":{"rendered":"How One Tile Installer Built a Brand Trusted by Pros"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A Q&A with Chase Twitchell of FloFX<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Photo courtesy of Chase Twitchell<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

After a simple conversation with a friend and fellow trade professional revealed a gap in the market, a new business idea sparked for longtime tile setter Chase Twitchell. With 19+ years of industry experience under his belt, he knew firsthand how drain systems for tiled showers could be improved, making everyday installation jobs easier for people like himself and his peers. Thus, the idea for FloFX<\/a> was born. Marketed as a brand “by an installer, for installers,” FloFX offers products like advanced bonding flange drains and premium grates that only continue to grow in popularity among professionals in the tile community. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Keep reading to learn more about tile installer-turned-FloFX founder, Chase Twitchell, and his fascinating story!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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CAN YOU SHARE A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF AND YOUR BACKGROUND?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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I grew up in a small town in Southern Utah with a single mom of 5 kids. As a teenager, I got my start in the flooring trade by spending the summers with my brother, a 3rd<\/sup> generation floor coverings installer. Fresh out of high school, I knew I wanted to get into the tile trade. I started as a helper for a company doing custom tile work and quickly got promoted to tile setter. A few years later, I thought I was ready to go out on my own and got my tile contractor\u2019s license at 21. I quickly realized that I had a lot to learn! 19 years later, I\u2019m still learning new things every day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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WAS THERE A SPECIFIC EXPERIENCE THAT INSPIRED YOU TO CREATE FLOFX?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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I was talking to one of my good friends, Rod Katwyk, Owner of RodKat Custom Shower Trays<\/a>, about his products and the shower drains he was using. He had a few options from some of the bigger manufacturers, but nothing that was really a perfect fit for his application. After this conversation and seeing the current offerings, I knew I could make something better. That\u2019s when I set out to create the Universal Bond Flange Kit. With a universal outlet, it\u2019s ready for whatever you show up to on a jobsite. Sometimes you\u2019ll need to connect to a bare 2\u201d waste pipe and other times you\u2019ll need to adapt to an existing 3-piece clamping drain. Our universal kit is like 2 drain kits in one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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HOW DID FLOFX GET ITS START?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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The concept started in my garage with a grinder and a piece of sheet metal. I didn\u2019t have access to a welder, so hot glue held the poorly cut pieces of metal together just long enough for me to realize that it was a horrible idea. It solved almost no problems and carried over all the issues installers face when installing stainless linear drains \u2013 most notably, bent flanges in shipping and having to use a no-hub\/rubber boot for the waste pipe connection. I quickly realized that plastic injection molding was the way to go. It brings repeatability, durability and enhanced geometry not available with stamped sheet metal. However \u2013 I had zero experience with 3D design or plastic prototyping at this time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, after spending the next weekend banging my head on the keyboard trying to learn the basics of a 3D design program and eventually finding a deal on Facebook Marketplace for a 3D printer, I loaded my first design and waited… 24 hours later, I was holding my 1st<\/sup> 3D printed prototype. And it was garbage.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I spent the next year making revision after revision. Each version a little better than the last. Learn a new 3D design technique \u2013 make a new revision \u2013  print another prototype. 3D printing really was the game changer. Being able to hold and feel your prototype to see how the parts interact with each other was key to making a good product. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The current Universal Bond Flange Kit has around 78 revisions. It was finally good enough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Below (left): Chase’s first prototype | Below (right): Current FloFX Traditional Bond Flange Kit<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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