Cabot’s Signature Range

A complete deck maintenance range designed to make the experience easier and more efficient.

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The world’s most integrated range of decking application tools

Cabot’s Signature Range is a coordinated accessory system designed to simplify the finishing and maintenance of decks and other outdoor timber. Each tool addresses specific user needs through unique design solutions which reduce the effort, complexity and time needed for outdoor wood care.

DeckPrep is a rugged brush used to clean and prepare decks for oiling. The brush has been designed with thick outer bristles (to transfer scrubbing power) and thin inner bristles (to retain higher volumes of cleaning solution). This balance delivers the best preparation performance with minimal exertion. Additionally, an inbuilt scraper helps remove harder materials, whilst the squeegee removes excess water, reducing drying time.

DeckCoat – The design cleverly holds a lambswool sleeve without the awkward drawstring covers of existing applicators. The single-direction pivot head allows users to apply oil with more control, and longer and straighter strokes along the grain, helping to minimise oil wastage and providing a consistent, high-quality finish.

DeckPole – Both DeckPrep and DeckCoat fit onto a common pole, giving users the choice of having a separate pole for each tool, or cost/space saving benefits by interchanging the tools. A modular push-button interface allows for future products to be fitted, expanding the product range.

DeckHand Bucket is a revolutionary accessory in the application of decking products. Used from preparation and cleaning through to application, the bucket features a large 15-litre capacity, a wide base to allow an applicator pad to be fully submerged, and a folding drainage tray positioned down during deck preparation and up during application.

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2014 Good Design Selection

2014 Premier's Design Award Finalist

Focus Areas

Design Strategy
Industrial Design
User trials and Insights
Product Engineering
Prototyping
Testing and Evaluation
Supplier Sourcing
Tooling Management
Animation and Product Visualisation

Year

2014

Client

Dulux Group

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Early Cabots DeckHand bucket concept sketches

Design Outcomes

Integrated

Multi-Purpose

Optimised Bristles

Ease of Use

cThe signature range is a family of four unique products that were developed together to create an integrated, decking application system that improves usability and user satisfaction.

The DeckHand bucket transforms so it can be used for both preparation and oiling tasks reducing the need for individual accessories.

The DeckPrep brush combines multiple bristle types that have been optimised to balance liquid retention with scrubbing strength to ensure improve the deck cleaning process.

Pain points and user interactions have been improved through the design and integration of key features. The lambswool applicator can be removed hands and mess-free, while the larger, pivoting applicator head makes oil application faster and more efficient.

The Team We believe good design happens by expert people working as a team.

Steve Martinuzzo

Graeme Marshall

Marcus Krigsman

Daniel Booker

Giles Matthews

Rob Cuzner

Nat Hunt

Chris Morrish

Sebastian Funke-Kupper

Andrew Beard

Commercial Impact

Sales Growth

R&D

Brand Awareness

After launch, the Signature range significantly increased sales of accessories and contributed to year-on-year sales growth for Cabots.

This project expanded Dulux’s focus beyond chemical-based liquid products to incorporate broader products & customer experiences.

The release of the Signature Range leveraged Cabot’s brand and market leadership across other user touch points related to wood care.

Traditionally Cabot’s R&D and innovation have excelled within its core chemical-based liquid coating products. Through these projects, Cobalt has demonstrated how design can help Cabot’s improve and even broaden their customer experience by going beyond ‘wet stuff in a can’.

Through observation and trials, design and direct user insights have improved each of the technical issues and consumer bugbears encountered in decking maintenance. This has made Cabot’s Signature Range the world’s most complete and integrated range of decking application tools.

Cabot’s Signature range has significantly increased Cabot’s accessories sales and contributed to year-on-year sales growth. Based on their success, Cabot’s will seek to leverage its brand and market leadership across all user touch points related to wood care.