Barrier produces a world-class product called Blazeguard.It's comprised of a chemical application called pyrotite, which effectively acts as a fire and heat retardant. Barrier bonds this
compound onto wood applications (plywood, OSB and FRT roof deck replacement projects) from the confines of their automated production
facility in St. Cloud, Minnesota.
Dr. Michael Huddy runs the USA operations and is spearheading Barrier's entry into its core business: FRT (fire retardant treated)
roof deck replacement projects in the northeastern U.S.
International Barrier Technology is tried, tested and true.
The predecessor was known as Barrier Technology in the late 1980's and into the early 1990's. In fact, Dr. Huddy was with Weyerhauser USA
when the two were preparing a collaboration. However, by not having
an automated production facility as they do now, Weyerhauser deemed the product too costly to make and pulled the pin on any and all marketing efforts. Subsequently, the company was pulled into a four
year legal quagmire as copy-cat technologists' attempted to steal and
copy the product under a different tradename; the coveted Blazeguard
technology, with exclusive rights in the USA fought off all claims and
emerged victorious.
However, victory came with a costly price: On March 11, 1996 the company consolidated its share capitalization 1:10 and became International Barrier Technology Inc. That was then & this is now.
SALES
Sales of Barrier's Blazeguard fire-rated sheathing began to
improve in the first quarter of the 1997-98 fiscal year. For the three months ended September 30, 1997, net loss was $56,201 or .02c
per share compared to net income of $5,539 or nil per share for the corresponding year-earlier period. Operating revenue decreased 50%
to $308,455 from $618,541.
For the year ended June 30, 1997 net loss was $320,673 or
.11c per share compared with a net loss of $1,597,699 or $1.51 per share for the previous year. Operating revenue increased to $1,618,535
from $973,002.
AUTOMATION
The automated 'direct line' facility in St. Cloud, MN is fully operational and provides 100% of the companies ongoing production requirements. Barrier currently has several key strategic
alliance partners:
AFM Corporation
Logan Lumber Company
MRS Corporation
CODE EVALUATIONS
Blazeguard the product is first class. It's one thing to say and quite another to prove. With the new, automated line established, Barrier had to re-establish the BOCA (Building Official
Code Administrators International)and SBCCI (Southern Building Code Congress International, Inc) code evaluations and certification ratings that they arduously obtained under the old (manual) regime. Flame spread testing criteria is measured by the standard ASTM E-84, which ensures flame spread of less than 10.5 feet.
Back in 1991, Blazeguard was the only wood-based product to be certified by the NAHB (National Assoc. of Home Builders). Furthermore,
the Blazeguard Fire-Rated Sheathing was chosen by Popular Science Magazine in December 1991 as the #1 innovation in home technology for
that year.
THE FUTURE
Since 1991, the building and construction markets have awaited a product that could deliver a cost effective, fire-retardant
product like Blazeguard. No one has been able to deliver. NO ONE ...
Barrier is preparing an official website that will be ready in two weeks time:
www.intlbarrier.com
email: barrier@lightspeed.bc.ca
or call direct at (604) 682 - 3833.
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