Do we build Prototypes?

Yes. PD3 builds several different levels of prototypes including Proof of Concept models, Alpha, Beta and Final Production Prototypes.

Do you manufacture goods?

PD3 manufactures goods in what is called a short-run manufacturing phase. This allows clients to get their product into the market and to make adjustments based on market parameters before incurring large-scale production costs.

What is short-run manufacturing?

Short-run manufacturing is a limited production run, that it is produced on demand or with a limited specific run geared to allow modifications of the prototypes to occur.

What is a Provisional Patent?

A Provisional Patent is a patent application that states your intent to file the Utility Patent within 365 days. The Provisional Patent allows patent prediction coverage while you make a determination as to the final configuration of your product and before filing a full Utility Patent. Provisional Patents allow protection in order to expose your idea to vendors and potential buyers without the risk of having your idea’s uniqueness compromised.

How do we start working with you?

Your first step is to fill out the Preliminary Contact informationform and tell us a little about who you are and where you are in the invention process. We work with a wide variety of companies ranging from individuals to large corporations who want to outsource or augment their research and development staff.

Do you invest in companies?

PD3 will work with companies in an investment mode, which we call “Partnering.” When we partner with a company, we will work on a project and defer our costs in exchange for equity within the company.

How do I make money from my product using your distribution company?

Most people set up websites for the purchasing of their products and have what is called a Merchant Account, which allows them to accept credit cards. A merchant account will process credit cards for you and deposit funds into your bank account within 48 to 72 hours. Our distribution will occur when you send us an authorization that the credit card is cleared and that you wish us to proceed with the shipping of the product.

Who pays for shipping and distribution?

Shipping costs are usually paid by the customers. PD3 uses the shipping and handling costs to pay for the boxing, packaging, and shipping of the product. Our clients receive 100% of the money for the product itself. We are paid for shipping and handling costs to process and mail the package. Shipment is done through a variety of carriers, such as the US Postal Service, UPS and all Dominion shipping lines.

How long does it take to get my prototype?

We have a Project Manager whose sole purpose is to schedule and work with clients along the prototyping process. Prototypes range in complexity and degree of completion so vastly as to make it impossible to have a standard time of completion of any single prototype. Throughout the years we have determined that a wide variety of modifications can occur based on the information provided by both our prototyping team and marketing groups as well as investors and other key players within the product development line. A typical mechanically based prototype of modest complexity can be completed within a 90 day time period. Some prototyping projects last as long as 2 years due to their complexity and multi-disciplinary and industrial needs.

What if I do not know what my prototype looks like?

PD3 specializes in working with clients who start with a concept, or what we like to call a “cocktail napkin sketch.” It is our job to capture your vision and turn that vision in a workable “real world” product. In the beginning clients who feel they know what a prototype should look like, are very often surprised by the development and function of an actual working model. Do not be intimidated that you do not have the full vision of your concept fully captured. It is our job to help you bring this into reality.

What do you charge for storage?

Items in our distribution house are set up with a minimum number of orders per month for shipping. In the event your product does not move out the minimum number of units on a monthly basis, a negotiated shipping charge will be added to your bill.

Can I take my prototype to someone else for manufacturing?

Absolutely. PD3 specializes in short-run manufacturing to proof out a market. While we do have some long term manufacturing clients, we have a specialist in-house who specifically does a “knowledge transfer” from our facility to main line production manufacturing companies. Short-run manufacturing is not cost effective in large production runs. There are companies throughout our nation and all over the world who specialize in large production quantity. We would be happy to do the  work or find suitable manufacturers for your product once the final development phase meets your standards.

How can I schedule a meeting?

Please contact Alice Gambalie to schedule an appointment at alice.gambalie@pdthree.com.

How do I apply for a job?

Applications for employment are taken on our website. You may fill out and send the application under the navigational bar resources. It will guide you through the application process.

How do I keep a track of my project?

Client projects receive weekly updates that are posted on the website. Once updates are made they are available in photographic form as well as written reports on a weekly basis. You can log in at your convenience and determine the status of the project and recover the billing information as well as number of hours worked on your project on a week-by-week basis. You will be assigned a Project Manager who will keep in contact with you by email and phone to report the progress to you and answer any questions that you may have.

How often do I receive a bill?

Billing is done on a weekly basis and is available to you via email. Statements are printed once a month. This allows clients of restricted finance to be able to keep abreast of the work, progress, and financial expenditures that occur on their projects.

What types of payments do you accept?

We accept checks or credit cards as a form of payment. Payments can be made through our website via credit cards. For long-term clients, we request that you keep a credit card on file for us and we will send you a bill at the beginning of each week. If you find the bill to be in order we will then on the Friday of that week process your credit card for the previous week’s work.

Who will be my Project Manager?

Project Managers are assigned depending on the type of the project that is brought in. Project Managers are assigned to projects that are based on mechanical principles, electrical systems, chemical based products or biological units. The Project Manager will be your liaison person throughout the development of your project. This Project Manager will carry your project through short-run manufacturing and distribution. A core principle of ours is to to have a single person interfacing with you throughout our work together. This allows our clients to feel more comfortable with the entire invention and manufacturing process.

How do I ensure confidentiality when I give you my project for prototyping?

We sign confidentiality agreements with clients before projects begin. You can receive a copy of this Confidentiality Agreement by clicking here. We also recommend projects that have commercial value file a Provisional Patent. A Provisional Patent allows you to share your information with other marketers and professionals that will better your position in the market place.

What is a Preliminary Market Assessment?

A Preliminary Market Assessment is an impartial third party analysis of commercial viability, competition, patentability and market trends related to your products. A Preliminary Market Assessment is done by university personnel who have no financial stake in the development of your product. Preliminary Market Assessments are key to seeking outside investments whether they be equity or debt related to show that your product has a place in the market.

How do I know if my product will sell?

We use a wide variety of professionals to give an expert opinion as to the potential marketability of the product. We recommend a Preliminary Market Assessment if you seek either equity or debt financing of your product. We have strategic partners who specialize in helping new inventors and entrepreneurs understand the market place and whether their product can penetrate the existing marketplace climate.

Do you do marketing?

We do not do marketing. We recommend that you talk to a strategic marketing professional or others who specialize specifically in crafting messages suitable for your product. Our expertise is operations and the development of your product. While we work with these marketing groups on a day-to-day basis, we are not marketers but we will recommend you to trusted vendors for marketing assistance.

What are the steps in developing a product?

We have developed over the years a specific method which we have found to be successful in bringing products to the market. Our product development chart integrates the need for IP (Intellectual Property) rights protection and marketing evaluations with prototype development to put together a cohesive and winning system for bringing your concept into the marketplace.

Who owns your company?

PD3 (Product Design, Development and Distribution Corporation) is a PSR Group company. PSR Group is held privately by a collection of individuals, managers of the company, and institutional investors. PD3 has publicly traded stocks.

How can I find funds for my products?

PD3 has partnerships and alliances with such groups as KHIC, Emeritus Funds, Mountain Ventures, Kentucky Science & Technology Corporation (KSTC), and others that invest instructionally into companies with products or services. Their links can be found under investors and partners at this website.

What if I only need one or two prototypes?

PD3 specializes in doing low run product development and manufacturing. Many of our clients simply need less than 5 units to prove their concept and to show to potential market investors as well as institutional and Angel Investors, concept of their ideas so that funding for these projects can occur. We are more than happy to make only one of your products for you to prove your concept or manufacture limited runs to prove your product in the market world.

How can I get my product tested for effectiveness?

PD3 has testing facilities for mechanical products in-house. We also have cooperative agreements with universities as well as private laboratories that are capable of doing a wide variety of testing from destructive product testing through chemical analysis and electronic safety testing. We would be happy to work with you to provide information about the specific testing your product will require to ensure the capture of product liability insurance.

Do I need to have government approval for my products?

Some products are regulated by the government and will require testing before being allowed to be used in public sector environments. Examples of this are products to be used on the road, in construction, or as consumer electronics. Government testing is done on a case-by-case basis and we will be happy to assist you in knowing the correct regulatory environments in which your product will be introduced.

Where do I go for entrepreneurial coaching?

The Center for Entrepreneurial Growth, a division of Tech- 2020 listed in our partners and investors category. It conducts training classes in association with Kentucky Highlands Investment Corporation (KHIC) that teach new entrepreneurs how to set up and run a sustainable business. We highly recommend that you contact them to attend training classes that will greatly enhance your ability to not only bring your product into the marketplace but learn the systems and procedures for developing a sustainable and profitable business.

How do I set up a company?

There are a wide variety of corporate structures available to you, which vary in each state. In the Commonwealth of Kentucky, the typical structures that are used are the LLC, “S” corporation, and a “C” corporation. While Sole Proprietorship does exist in the state of Kentucky it is generally not recommended for most start up businesses. If a new entity is going to seek outside funding, it maybe be necessary to set up a "C" corporation for allowing of the issuance of stock to the new investors.

PD3 will happily guide you through this process and assist you in putting together the paperwork necessary to file a legal corporate entity with all of its requirements with the Commonwealth of Kentucky Revenue Cabinet and the IRS as well as the correct bylaws and instructions necessary to carry your company forward into the business environment.

If I do not live in Kentucky, can I have a company set up in Kentucky?

Kentucky does allow for Foreign Corporations to be set up within its borders. We direct you to the Secretary of State’s website and this will give you specific requirements for setting up a Foreign Corporation in the state of Kentucky.

Who do you recommend to do a utility patent once I filed a provisional patent?

We have had great success with one of the primary intellectual property rights law firm in the nation, Townsend & Townsend & Crew. Information about them can be found in their website, www.townsend.com. Our contact there is Stuart Bray.
Mr. Bray has worked with a wide variety of our clients over the years and is familiar with the product development cycle as well as with our methods of working with new entrepreneurs.