The U CAN® Watering System, introduced in August 2009, is unique as the only watering can currently available that offers a multitude of gardening solutions in one efficient container.
Created by expert horticulturist and seasoned entrepreneur Jim Ugone, founder and president of The U CAN Brand LLC established this year (see Corporate Background), the new product has many other innovative “all-in-one” features. The U CAN is so highly useful and innovative it was awarded seven design patents (with additional design and utility patents pending).
The translucent two-gallon capacity watering can organizes common gardening tasks with an integrated measuring cup and spoon, a place to hold gardening gloves, and a storage post for a removable sprinkler head. The U CAN includes a handy waterproof compartment to store any kind of fertilizer and cleverly reminds the gardener when they most recently fertilized. It is engineered to evenly distribute weight while carrying, lifting and pouring. Rubber grips and a textured handle allow for better control. The selling price through the company’s website, www.TheUCanBrand.com is $29.95, with suggested retail price of $34.95 to nursery and garden centers.
Committed to supporting manufacturing in the United States, the company chose to have the U CAN’s parts produced in Iowa, Massachusetts, and New York. The watering can proudly displays the trademark “Keep America Growing.” To minimize its carbon footprint and honor the green movement in our country to protect our natural resources, the U CAN incorporates the use of recycled plastic.
Manufacturing /Made in the USA
The U CAN is lightweight (less than two pounds), made of translucent high grade plastic, and its rubber grips and ergonomic design make carrying and pouring easy.
The U CAN’s main body is constructed in a blow-molded process through Custom-Pak Inc. of Clinton, Iowa, one of the most respected blow-mold part manufacturers in the world. Most other parts are made by injection molding at Sonolite Plastics Corp. of Gloucester, Mass.
The U CAN began shipment in November, 2009.
Market Research
After producing an initial prototype for The U CAN in 2008, the company went further and commissioned a private research study in February 2009 by The National Gardening Association to see exactly which features gardeners would most appreciate in a watering can—all of which intuitively had been created in the initial design from the founder’s expertise as a horticulturist.
Most importantly, The U CAN simplifies mixing and measuring fertilizer, tasks survey respondents disliked the most. The majority of the respondents fertilizes less than most manufacturers’ recommended usage for plant care, and rely on guesswork when they do. Eighty percent of respondents preferred to purchase an American-made product.
According to a 2008 Harris International survey sponsored by The National Gardening Association, 81 million households garden and 11 million of those purchased a watering can. Improving the process for watering and fertilizing with an easy built-in solution is a key distinguishing feature of The U CAN.
The U CAN is an ideal gift idea for both avid and novice gardeners. Market niches for an “all-in-one” watering can include those who garden in containers, raised beds, hanging baskets, window boxes or around the pool and summer-home gardens. It’s perfect for those committed to the up-and-coming trend of growing their own food, and helpful to homeowners with town and city water restrictions.
Apartment renters, condominium owners, shop owners, municipal building managers and community gardeners in particular would benefit from the combined capabilities and features of The U CAN.