Newest Skamper-Ramp® Wins at 2008 International Pool | Spa | Patio Expo

New Product Pavilion!

Charleston, SC: Skamper-Ramp® dba Skamper Industries LLC, manufacturer of Skamper-Ramps® , introduced its newest , redesigned Skamper-Ramp to the pool, spa, and backyard industry at the 2008 International Pool | Spa | Patio Expo in Las Vegas, NV, this November. The SKR4 will be formally introduced to the pet industry at the APPA/Global Pet Expo in Orlando, February 2009.

At the IPSPE, the SKR4 received second prize at the New Product Pavilion’s “Best New Product” for 2008 awards. The 2008 International Pool | Spa | Patio Expo consisted of 627 exhibiting companies in 2,038 booths. Total attendee attendance was 11,203. The New Product Pavilion featured 67 of the latest, most innovative products and hottest industry trends in a direct, non-selling environment.

Show Management notified the first, second and third place winners on Thursday, November 20 after hundreds of attendees voted for their favorite products. "The Best New Product award winners demonstrate that innovation and creativity are thriving in the pool, spa and backyard marketplace," said Donna Bellantone, Director of the Expo. “To be selected from attendees of the show is quite an honor."

Skamper Industries, which manufactures the patented, award-winning water-exit ramp for animals, is replacing the original SKR1 Skamper-Ramp with this latest modified version (SKR4). The redesigned model is now blowmolded, making it appropriate for regular/everyday use as well as emergency use by smaller to mid-sized animals. It started being available to Skamper-Ramp resellers in December, 2008.

Already patented, there is an international patent is pending on the new design. Skamper-Ramp products are 100% Made-in-the-U.S.A. and entirely recyclable.

This passive water safety device is designed to help animals get out of the water more easily because they can do so on their own, 24/7. Like the Super Skamper-Ramp, introduced a year ago, this new blowmolded version is a much stronger, higher quality design and provides a safe, less stressful way for any size pet to exit a pool or walled pond on a daily basis, rather than just emergency use.

Dedicated to pet safety, the company has continually worked to improve the design, assembly, versatility and fabrication method of its water-exit ramps.

According to Jay Waddell, Managing Partner of the company, “because our new ramp is blowmolded from an extremely robust and durable plastic, the ramps have an extremely high strength-to-weight ratio that can now stand up to frequent as well as emergency use.” Both models are manufactured entirely in the United States, the fabrication process giving the ramp greater rigidity, buoyancy and overall higher quality.

Regular and Super Skamper-Ramps are easy to assemble—snapping together with fewer parts than the original versions. The side wings are engineered to prevent the ramp from going vertical more than 30 degrees when an animal is climbing out of the water.

Waddell elaborated, saying "one of the most exciting aspects of the new model is the easy assembly method and the improved strength of the product. We eliminated all of the nuts and bolts, so now the only component parts are the rope, D-ring clips and washers used for installation (as with the original versions)."

The fully assembled regular Skamper-Ramp is still 25” long but the depth is now 6.5”, providing more surface area to brace against the vertical wall of the pool/pond. The most significant attribute of the new design and fabrication method is that the ramp is now suitable for frequent use, not just as an emergency escape ramp. The redesigned ramps have increased strength and rigidity and smooth edges, making them ideal even for vinyl lined pools.

Like the original, it is recyclable, chemical- and UV-resistant helping to prevent discoloration, mildew or algae buildup, as well as being cost-effective. It is also still entirely white -- the one color all living things can see.

Carrie Agnew, a partner of and the Marketing Director for the company, points out that Skamper-Ramp gives pet owners and animal lovers another layer of protection for their animals -- providing them with a way of safeguarding against unnecessary pet-panic in the water or death due to drowning. Agnew says, “Because the ramps are now designed for frequent use, water-loving pets can now more easily get out of the pool as often as they need to.”

She continues, “This is an important attribute we've found to be of tremendous importance to pet owners. Pets are usually considered important family members who need the same protection as children."

Skamper Industries is devoted to pet safety and specifically pet safety in water entrapment. The company is a member of the APPA (American Pet Products Association), PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), and APSP (Association of Pool and Spa Professionals).

Skamper Industries is proud to add the second place win at the 2008 International Pool | Spa | Patio Expo to the other honors the product(s) have received over the years, including twice being honored as one of the “Top 50 Readers Choice Products” by Pool & Spa Magazine readers, chosen as one of the Top 5 Products at the HH Backer Spring Pet Show.

Skamper-Ramps are 100% Made-in-the-U.S.A, 100% Green and have been approved by the American Pet Association (APA).

The APA reviews pet products, testing them for reliability, ease of use, structural design integrity, durability and actual benefits to pets and/or their owners. The review is completely unbiased, allowing consumers to buy those products with the APA Seal of Approval with confidence.

The ramp is endorsed by veterinarians across the United States and has been featured on a number of national news and cable television programs, such as the Today Show, Good Morning America, The Early Show, HGTV, Animal Planet and, in Australia, on Mornings with Kerri-Anne.

Skamper Industries is owned and headquartered in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. Established in 2003, Skamper-Ramp is available through resellers, e-Tailers and catalogues all over the world. The firm is dedicated to the safety, health and well-being of all pets and other animals.

For more detailed product information, FAQs and retailer listings, visit www.skamper-ramp.com.