BUSINESS partners Peter Dresen and Paul Pietsch are from the old school.
BUSINESS partners Peter Dresen and Paul Pietsch are from the old school.
In the late 1970s, Mr Dresen had an idea that was sparked from observing a bricklayer struggling to repair brickwork.
After years of trial and error he developed a polymer-based mortar-like adhesive filler created with natural ingredients. It could be applied indoors or outdoors to fill in gaps around ceilings, repair gaps in mortar joints and to create a seal around electrical cables and plumbing.
The substance is called Mortafil and can be used to fill cracks or for other purposes such as glue for tiles. The substance is non-poisonous and environmentally friendly, and guaranteed for at least five years.
With the idea ready for market six years after research and development began, PDA Products Mortafil was formed.
But despite having been in business since 1986, and being cognisant of the huge changes in the way technology is used in business (facsimile, mobile phones, and the internet) both men refuse to use or store their research and development information on a computer.
And it seems the low-tech strategy has actually helped their business, particularly in an age of cyber crime and online sabotage.
In 23 years the Belmont-based small business has operated, 65 corporate spies and sneaky customers have infiltrated the R&D 'test shed' to avail themselves of the secrets to making Mortafil.
Mr Pietsch has found 'customers' with cameras taking photos and snooping around, representatives from global mining giants trying to obtain information by stealth, people scouting the business, and even a "sheik from Arabia" attempting to uncover the mysterious Mortafil.
"That is to say, that the humble beginnings started then with the development of the product and it has taken a trial period of six years before we actually were sure to put the product out into the market," he said.
"In 1992, we successfully started to sell the product to the Bunnings Group and since then we have accomplished nation-wide distribution with Bunnings.
"After the development of Mortafil there was one big firm that tried to copy the material but without success.
"After they had tried and did not succeed, they sent two business scouts to our office here in Belmont to make us an offer to buy the firm.
"We had no choice but to decline their offer.
"We are very proud of what we have achieved, from the humble beginnings in the back shed to a very sizeable business."
In fact, since 1992 PDA Products Mortafil Pty Ltd has boosted sales by 1,200 per cent, while still retaining only three staff.
Although the business is seeking funding to further its extensive R&D program, Messrs Pietsch and Dresen have declined private investment proposals, refusing to hand over information about Mortafil to anyone.
The pair is seeking government funding but will only enter into a non-disclosure agreement to keep their business secrets safe.
"We don't even keep that information in computers because they're not safe," Mr Pietsch says.
"There are too many hackers. We keep everything mostly in our heads, but we do have some documents and papers, which are hidden in a secret location."
In a digital age, the unconventional approach to fending off competitors appears to have worked, with most hardware chains and individual stores stocking and selling Mortafil products.
"In the past few months, there was a notable change in the acceptance of our products from the Royal Navy in England, and they have found our products very helpful in the US on their submarines. Both our Mortafil and our brush and spray would be used to ensure the security of the personnel, as our products are slip-proof," Mr Pietsch said.
The company now distributes its products throughout Australia, Germany and Thailand, and in stores in Western Australia including Bunnings Warehouse, Makit Hardware, Home Hardware and Canning Vale Hardware.
