Sprout harnesses the power of the free market to solve the huge problem of grease in city sewers. AHJs have always known that half of their F.O.G. problem comes from residential kitchens, but they have never had a tool to use to fight it. Generally speaking, homeowners don’t care about grease clogging city sewers, which is why “can the grease” campaigns don’t work. Commercial grease interceptors will never be accepted in homes and offices due to odor and maintenance requirements. Sprout changes this dynamic. Homeowners won’t adopt Sprout because it keeps grease out of sewers, they will adopt Sprout because it offers them value (lower maintenance costs, protection of their home plumbing, a stylish kitchen differentiator). The protection of city sewers comes “free” in the bargain. There’s no need for AHJs to go through the time-intensive and litigious process of adding or changing their sewer codes to address residential F.O.G., all they have to do is inform their sewer users of a new product category called “kitchen sink-waste filters” and it’s lone incumbent, Sprout. 

Planned marketing activities: Schier and our reps have long and deep relationships with AHJs throughout the country, and we will be introducing Sprout both in-person and through web/social media. We will also be cross promoting Sprout on schierproducts.com, specifically on pages that are heavily trafficked by AHJs. In addition, we will be mentioning Sprout on our daily phone calls with plans reviewers throughout the country as part of our Grease Monkey interceptor sizing service. 

The pitch: What to mention on a sales call to an AHJ - “Schier has introduced a new product called Sprout that tackles residential F.O.G. - homeowners will love using it, and it already meets plumbing and pretreatment code (you won’t need to write new code language to allow its use.) Check out sproutkitchen.com!

Plumbing engineers that design offices (with kitchens), condos, and mixed-use buildings can now specify an alternative to garbage disposals that vastly reduces maintenance costs from clogged drain lines. In high-density residential buildings, Sprout’s electricity-free installation means big savings in construction cost as well as electrical usage post-construction. In time, Sprout may replace the need for large outdoor grease interceptors, which are increasingly required on condo buildings. This would deliver massive construction cost savings because there would be no need for a separate grease-waste drainage system and no need for a large outdoor interceptor. 

Planned marketing activities: Schier and our reps have long and deep relationships with the U.S. plumbing engineering community. We will be cross promoting Sprout on schierproducts.com as well as in our Grease Monkey sizing software. In addition, there will be multiple and varied Sprout-specific specification campaigns performed by Schier and our sales reps over the next 24 months. 

The pitch: What to mention on a sales call to an engineer -  “Do you do work on condo, high-rise, or mixed-use projects? If so, Schier has introduced a new garbage disposal alternative that is perfect for condo, apartment and office kitchens. It represents HUGE construction cost savings due to no electrical requirement, but also saves owners/landlords from all the maintenance and clogs of garbage disposals. Check out sproutkitchen.com!

There are many homeowners that love their garbage disposals - this is not the Sprout target market, and we will not be spending sales and marketing resources trying to convince them. The homeowner that will be interested in Sprout: 

• doesn’t like the noise, smell or the real and perceived danger of garbage disposals
• isn’t allowed to have a garbage disposal due to local code, requirements of the building or condo in which they live, or septic system limitations
• is eco-conscious and will readily try new green products.

The great news is that this segment of homeowners is very large and worth addressing!

Planned marketing activities: Schier will be utilizing social media posts, paid search, and, in time, influencers to make this target market aware of Sprout. We are also counting on your efforts to help address this group, and are providing displays and marketing materials for both your plumbing counter (your plumbers know homeowners who want a garbage disposal alternative), and your showroom. 

The pitch:  What plumbers and showroom personnel should mention to homeowners - “If you are looking for a quiet, safe and green alternative to a garbage disposal, check out Sprout. The best part is it traps food scraps and grease from clogging your kitchen drain, and is well-built so it will last forever. It’s basically the opposite of a garbage disposal in all the good ways. Check out sproutkitchen.com!”

Landlords who own and rent single-family homes, including Short Term Rentals (VRBO, Airbnb, etc.) will love Sprout. Garbage disposals in rental homes are a frequent source of maintenance headaches and cost due to abuse and neglect. 

Planned marketing activities: Similar to our homeowner marketing strategy, Schier will be utilizing social media posts, paid search, and, in time, influencers to make this target market aware of Sprout. We are also counting on your efforts to help address this group, and are providing displays and marketing materials for both your plumbing counter (your plumbers know homeowners who want a garbage disposal alternative), and your showroom. 

The pitch:  What to mention on a sales call to landlords - “If you are looking for a solution to garbage disposal maintenance, repairs and clogs in your units, check out Sprout. It’s basically the opposite of a garbage disposal in all the good ways, and actually traps food scraps and even grease from clogging the kitchen drain, and is really well-built so it will last forever. It even ships with adhesive signage to place on or near the sink to let tenants and renters know how to use it. Check out sproutkitchen.com!”

Condo and apartment building maintenance managers spend a lot of time fixing plumbing problems caused by garbage disposals and replacing broken disposals. 

Planned marketing activities: Our social media and paid search marketing will target this group, but we are also counting on the maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO) functions of our wholesale partners, along with your plumbing counters to reach this group. 

The pitch:  What to mention on a sales call to maintenance managers - “If you are looking for a solution to garbage disposal maintenance, repairs and clogs in your units, check out Sprout. It’s basically the opposite of a garbage disposal in all the good ways, and actually traps food scraps and even grease from clogging the kitchen drain, and is really well-built so it will last forever. It even ships with adhesive signage to place on or near the sink to let tenants and renters know how to use it. Check out sproutkitchen.com!”

Repair plumbers want to be problem-solvers for their customers. This includes solving the problem of drain clogs and repair costs from garbage disposals. Now repair plumbers can present a true cost and maintenance saving alternative to garbage disposals. 

Planned marketing activities: Our social media and paid search marketing will target this group, but we are also counting on your efforts to help address this group, and are providing displays and marketing materials for your plumbing counter. In addition, there will be multiple and varied Sprout-specific repair plumber sales campaigns performed by Schier and our sales reps over the next 24 months. 

The pitch:  What to mention on a sales call to a repair plumber - “If your customers ever complain about the noise, maintenance, or danger of garbage disposals, Sprout is the solution. They install in the same footprint as a garbage disposal, and come with both plain and dishwasher tailpieces. Total installation time should be the same or less than a garbage disposal. Check out sproutkitchen.com”