[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZQmwFnreFk[/youtube]Herb Pearse is the CEO of Eco-Tec, Inc., a Washington-based cleantech company. Herb is a long-time board member of the Washington Clean Technology Alliance. Eco-Tec, Inc. manufactures and distributes the ADsorb-it Products, which were implemented by BP to provide critical shoreline protection throughout the impacted and threatened areas of the Gulf of Mexico during the oil spill. ADsorb-it has global distribution with particular appeal to oil companies, such as BP, in light of its proven effectiveness in the Gulf. These notes are from an interview with Herb by enterpriseSeattle Intern Michelle Ranken.
The biggest obstacle in expanding the ADsorb-it business is the initial product cost. Company purchasers generally want to buy disposable products because of their low front end cost.
ADsorb-it, on the other hand, is a bit more expensive on the front end, but is reusable indefinitely and, therefore, more cost effective over the long term. This reusability, coupled with the fact that ADsorb-it is made from waste fibers and can be disposed of as a fuel source, makes ADsorb-it environmentally compatible. As the CEO of the company, Herb emphasized honesty to the customer as well as determining and addressing the customer’s needs as the most helpful tools in maintaining a strong customer base.
ADsorb-it became instrumental in the Gulf oil spill when the standard clean-up method (single use disposable sorbents) had been used up. The staff of BP then approached Eco-Tec, Inc. about providing the fabric to limit the effects of the spill. Herb’s primary roles in the spill included coordinating and providing resources to the clean up contractors who were “hands on” addressing the advancing oils.
Unfortunately, the Gulf and its shorelines were advertised as being “clean” and this prompted those who were more concerned with the economics of the tourist trade to make decisions that hindered the long-term effectiveness of ADsorb-it and its beneficial presence for the ongoing removal of oils from the Gulf Coast environment.