Genuine Innovations - New Blog

A new blog has been setup for Genuine Innovations Bicycling and Motorcycle products.

http://www.genuineinnovations.blogspot.com/

Check out the first article, Sun, Surf, and Torture in California, to read about the lengths our president, Marty Mares, will go to get our product in the hands of editors of magazines. Marty met with Source Interlink Media in Los Angeles, Triathlete Magazine in San Diego and Hi-Torque Publications (Road Bike Action, Mountain Bike Action, etc.).

This new blog site will include articles on the Genuine Innovations line of CO2 Inflators and other bicyle and motorcyle parts and accessories, our road trips, trade shows, and whatever else we can dream up to write about.

Why 100% Testing?

Genuine Innovations prides itself on building quality into every valve, every regulator, every inflation device we make. Working with high pressure gas systems requires the highest standards in quality control. Incoming components are inspected to be sure they meet our established specifications. Then, during the production process, each valve is 100% tested for function, leakage and flow rate. We take these extra steps to guarantee the highest quality products are sold by Genuine Innovations. And we mean guarantee. We have a lifetime warranty replacement program. What this means is that, remote as it seems, if you receive a product with a defect, we replace either the defective part, or in many cases, the complete product.
Our commitment to high quality, high performance, and safe devices is unsurpassed.
Our extensive product testing begins on the production line, not afterwards. Since we assemble all our products here in Tucson, Arizona, we're able to provide excellent quality control. We conduct inspections at crucial points all along the line, not just at the end of the assembly. We perform measurements to thousandths of an inch, visual inspections are done to be sure parts, such as o-rings, aren't left out. We also do functional tests of sub-assemblies prior to building the final product to further our defect rate.
For example, when a lance assemblies are built, each one is visually inspected to be sure the lance tip hasn't broken, that o-rings are installed correctly and have no deformities. A lance, once installed in the fitting, is checked using a depth gauge to make sure it's at a specified depth, to within thousandths of an inch. If it doesn't meet specs, it goes into a rework bin. If it doesn't meet spec after a rework, it's rejected and although this is a bit expensive, since brass and steel aren't cheap metals, but, in the long run, you get a product you know works. And, it's safe. There's very little likelihood of an accidental discharge of the high pressure gas unless it's purposely done.
Here's a couple interesting things:
1) Being human, and not being perfect, we have some returns. But, it's a return rate of approximately .002 % per month! You read it right. Now, I must admit I didn't do all my homework, so I don't have exact figures, but that's pretty impressive.
2) One of our engineers, Carey Costle, said they've tested inflators for leakage by placing them in water to see if there were any bubbles, indicating a leak. They mathematically figured out that, using a 16 gram CO2 cartridge in an inflator, if a 1/4" bubble round floated to the surface every ten seconds, it meant the CO2 would last 16-18 days. That's if we allowed even that small amount of leakage through. But we don't. We allow NO leakage, or at least none that's reasonably detectable.
When we build CO2 regulators we test each one for the correct pressure (Pounds per Square Inch, PSI) or flow rate (Liters/Minute). When you place an order for a regulator that needs a pressure of 35 psi at the output, you can rest assured you're going to get 35 psi. Our customers often need a regulated device to be set to a pressure but really need a device at a specific flow rate. We did this for the CO2 Airbrush we sold to Visage, Helen of Troy so each unit sprayed at nearly the same rate. Each regulator assembly was tested and adjusted to specific flow rate. We do this level of testing whether the order is for one or one million.
We perform 100% functional tests of finished products to be absolutely sure they work prior to going to the warehouse for shipping. We test hand pumps by, you guessed it, actually pumping it. If it leaks, it's rejected.
So, to answer the original question: Why 100% testing? Well, we want you to order valves and regulators you know will work, right out of the package and that you know are safe. And, we want your repeat business. And what it really boils down to is that we're all rather proud of our company and we have a reputation to uphold.

CO2 Cartridges - Safety and the Environment

Genuine Innovations CO2 cartridges are safe and environmentally friendly.

What is CO2? Carbon Dioxide (CO2) is a pure and natural gas that is a major component of the Earth’s atmosphere. CO2 is fundamental to the basic life cycle in nature. Humans and animals exhale CO2 and then plants absorb it to help them grow. Plants, in turn, release oxygen, which humans and animals depend on for survival.

Is CO2 Safe for the Environment? YES! Genuine Innovations’ CO2 is collected from a naturally occurring volcanic source or it is pulled directly from the atmosphere in gas refining process. It’s as safe as opening a soda bottle. A 12 gram CO2 cylinder has the same amount of CO2 found in a one liter bottle of soda.

Is CO2 Safe to Use? YES! Consumer products such as beverage carbonation, fire extinguishers, life jackets, soda siphons, and tire inflators have used CO2 safely for many years. Genuine Innovations’ CO2 cylinders are tested to ensure safety.

Can I recycle CO2 Cylinders? YES! Genuine Innovations’ CO2 cartridges are made of steel and are 100% recyclable. Empty CO2 cartridges can be placed in any recycling bin that accepts metal. Genuine Innovations’ CO2 cartridges contain about the same amount of metal as found in a soup can.

Why use CO2 instead of just air? Genuine Innovations CO2 inflators are quick, safe, easy to use, and provide years of dependable service. Genuine Innovations’ CO2 cartridges are very cost effective and a portable power solution for tire inflation.

Techno vs Retro - Second Wind Road - Co2 - Hand Pump

Jimmy Ricatello dueling Gord Fraser

On July 25, 2008, Genuine Innovations shot a new video at Fairwheel Bikes in Tucson, AZ. The premise of this video was new vs. old, retro vs. techno, and Pumps Great vs. Quick Filling. We gathered up a pile of dedicated cyclists, shop rats, tri-guys (and gals) and staged a battle of ideals. Gord Fraser lead the retro movement and Jimmy Ricatello was the leader of the techno’s.

The battle was over a most profound issue, tire repair. The retro’s can only use a bicycle hand pump and the techno’s have to have their CO2 inflator. The confrontation gets ugly and friends become foes. It pits Leather helmets against aero helmets, Lycra vs wool, retro rides vs time trial machines. Co2 cartridges fly, pumps handles extend, heads get bashed. Gord wails on Jimmy, Jimmy throttles Gord, a nun battles a cowboy and then slugs a mariachi. All the while, the beautiful and multi talented presenter, Moe, models the product on the counter top.

Marty Mares hollers, “Hey!!! Everyone knows Genuine Innovations Second Wind Road can satisfy everyone. It’s a hand pump and CO2 inflator. Can’t we all just get along?” Silence rolls out across the shop floor…good tidings, love and happiness erupts from the chaos.

CUT and it’s a WRAP! 4 hrs of geekiness equals 60 seconds of fame!

Written by: Erik Williams, (Mariachi) info@co2pros.com

I Love My Job! - Paul Hintze - Tech Writer

What is your name? Paul S. Hintze.
What is your job title? Technical writer.
Who is your employer? Genuine Innovations.
What services do you or your employer provide? Genuine Innovations manufactures CO2-powered inflation products for the bicycle and motorsports industries, and custom solutions requiring special valves for gas-powered applications. My primary job is writing instructions on assembling inflators and custom valves for the production staff. I also photograph the assembly process and photograph products for our Web sites and advertisements.
How long have you been at this position and/or in this business? 41/2 years manufacturing, and 7 years in technical writing.
What led you to this career? I was hired at a software company to test captioning software. When someone was needed to write manuals for court reporting and captioning software, I volunteered.
What do you find most rewarding about this job? I interact with a wide variety of people, from engineering to sales. I use the knowledge I gain from talking with the department heads and write the detailed instructions and take photographs showing the assembly process. I am able to watch an idea on the drawing board become a product and am personally involved with almost all of the process. Plus, I get to do two things I enjoy—photography and writing.
Is there anything else you would like to tell us about your job or employer? Genuine Innovations is a relatively small company but we’re committed to providing quality products and services to a wide variety of end users. Our products are sold worldwide and enjoy an excellent reputation. Everyone wears several different hats, which keeps us all busy without becoming bored.
How can people find out more about career opportunities with your organization? Contact Human Resources at 520-295-3936, http://www.genuineinnovations.com/ or watch for opportunities in the newspaper classifieds.

TEXT from ARIZONA DAILY STAR – JUNE 22, 2008 EMPLOYMENT CLASSIFIEDS SECTION

2008/2009 "Power Girl" Bahara Golestani

Genuine Innovations is proud to announce that Bahara Golestani has been named spokes model and "PowerGirl" for the 2008 / 2009 season.

Get your own "Flat Tires Suck! DO You CO2?" poster only $10 with FREE shipping!

Along with this poster, Bahara will be gracing our website, advertisements and trade show appearances with her beauty and charm.

A professional model, Bahara has been modeling for Low Rider for 3 years and Hot Import Nights for 2 years; Modeled for Caprstal New York, Gino Green, Dillards, Mervyn's, music videos and lots of fashion shows. Keep an eye on this dark haired beauty. Big things are coming her way!

Want to meet Bahara in person? Stop by our booth # at THIS years 2008 InterBike in Las Vegas. She'll be signing autographs all day on Sept. 25, 2008 at the Sands Convention Center.