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Woodpeckers are notorious for damaging wood utility poles. Species such as the pileated and the red-cockaded peck large holes in search of insects. This weakens a pole and shortens its service life. Polywater is developing a foam-based product solution to this problem. Utility Pole Repair (catalog prefix UPR) will soon be ready for initial field trials and sales throughout American Polywater’s territory. After three trials with Shakopee Public Utility and trials with two other utilities, we are confident that this product is ready to go. These trials helped establish the typical size of a Pileated Woodpecker hole and quantity of repair material required. Polywater’s laboratory worked with our utility partner to develop an acceptable work method. Utility Pole Repair has been tested so that it meets the utility requirements for strength and weather resistance. Product development is based on a series of trial-and-error-style refinements. Before a product is introduced and sold, the idea is tested with a handful of utility crews or contractors. These initial trials give Polywater’s lab valuable feedback. After determining product requirements and observing the end use conditions, laboratory testing is developed to simulate environmental conditions. The next time out, the lab learns what worked and what didn’t. What happens in the rain and wind? What happens when the repair is obstructed or difficult to reach? Does the product work? Field trials are critical for new products to:
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