By Emily Parsons

Last updated at 09:08, Tuesday, 27 November 2012

A new product, created by a Penrith inventor, has been shortlisted for a national award.

Raymond Robinson

Raymond Robinson set up the Insumate brand four years ago, and developed the insulation aid for construction workers, which provides a quick and simple solution to the problem of placing insulation in joists.

He came up with the product while building his own house, as he watched contractors struggling to fit insulation within timber floors.

Convinced there was a faster and more efficient way of installing insulation, Mr Robinson came up with the recycled plastic Insumate insulation support tray.

The 54-year-old’s hard work has begun to finally pay off, with a contract from builders merchants Travis Perkins to stock the product throughout the UK.

He was stunned to discover he had been nominated for the Retro Expo Awards, hosted by Birmingham Energy Savers and Carillion Energy Services.

Insumate was shortlisted for the Building Fabric Innovation of the Year Award – one of six finalists, chosen from 100 entrants.

Mr Robinson travelled to the Birmingham NEC at the end of last month, but was “pipped to the post” by one of the UK’s largest housing organisations.

He said: “Insumate’s short-listing for this award came as a greatsurprise.

“To be nominated alongside large international businesses and organisations really shows how much can be achieved by a small business.

“It has taken a lot of time, effort and finance to get to this stage, but to be recognised as a business which has something really revolutionary to offer, is fantastic.”

First published at 09:03, Tuesday, 27 November 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk