Greensboro, NC manufacturer beachBUB has worked to revolutionize beach umbrella safety.

We all consider going to the beach an opportunity for a relaxing experience. Still, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, about 2,800 beachgoers ended up in the emergency room because of beach umbrella injuries between 2010 and 2018. Our focus in this episode is on a North Carolina business that aims to decrease that number to zero.

Established in 2013, beachBUB© is a family-owned manufacturer based out of Greensboro, NC, producing all-in-one beach umbrellas and umbrella accessories. Their patented umbrella base folds up to the size of a paperback book and weighs less than half a pound. When filled with sand, it weighs 125 pounds, can withstand winds up to 35 mph, takes up very little space, and can be filled by a child in less than 2 minutes.

The beachBUB© umbrella system won the 2022 Coolest Thing Made in NC contest in the small business category. BeachBUB© has been featured on the Today Show, QVC, Good Morning America and multiple local news stations nationwide.

In this episode of Clocking In, Phil Mintz sits down with beachBUB© founder Bill Schermerhorn. Phil Mintz and Bill discuss the founding of beachBUB©, beachBUB© unique workforce, why beach umbrella safety is vital and more.

NCMEP

BeachBUB

Phil Mintz is the executive director of NC State Industry Expansion Solutions (IES) and director of the North Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NCMEP). At NCMEP, Phil drives outreach to NC manufacturers, builds relationships with federal and state leaders and coordinates efforts to drive profitable manufacturing growth in the state. He also leads the broader IES Extension Operations outreach unit of regional managers, technical specialists and business development leaders providing business engagement, assessment and improvement tools. This includes statewide peer networks, ISO 9000 quality management systems, Six Sigma, Lean manufacturing, environmental services, and health and safety solutions.

Bill Schermerhorn is the founder and present of beach umbrella manufacturer, beachBUB.He is also working with a task group through ASTM International to advance his work and prevent further beach umbrella related injuries or deaths.