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While the country was in lockdown due to Covid, triathlete Kevin Baker opened a tin of tuna – which led to a business idea.
The way the tin opened gave Kevin the idea for a device to help cyclists change their tyres quickly and simply.
Kevin, from Ystrad Mynach, had a newfound interest in triathlons – but changing a bike tyre was one aspect he struggled with.
After developing a few prototypes, Kevin soon got his product onto the market and is now making around 30 to 50 sales a day.
The Tyre Glider mimics his electric tin opener in the way it clips into the wheel rim, with thousands now sold since it was launched in December 2021.
Weighing just 23 grams, the handheld device allows bike tyres to be changed in around four minutes.
The product has even gone viral, with numerous reviews on YouTube.
One review video has been viewed more than 140,000 times, with Kevin receiving 4,000 orders in the week after that review was uploaded.
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Based at the Welsh Innovation Centre for Enterprise (Welsh ICE) campus on Caerphilly Business Park, Kevin is now looking to grow his business further.
He is looking to take on staff and work with other organisations within the industry.
Kevin has secured a deal with cycling firm Rehook to stock his products on its platform.
He has even been shortlisted for both the National StartUp Awards and the FSB Awards.
Kevin said: “When I started cycling regularly, the one big issue that I noticed was how difficult it was to change the tyre. I knew that there must be an easier way and, after getting inspiration from my tin opener, I was really surprised to find there was nothing on the market that used a similar mechanism – three weeks later, I’d started developing my own.
“The reception of the product since it went live has been fantastic. It’s great to see that it’s helping so many others in the same way that it did for me and hopefully I can keep developing and improving it.”
He continued: “The device is fairly simple, being made locally in Ystrad Mynach and packed up by my mum and sister – so to be sending units out to countries worldwide, gaining online traction and being nominated for awards within months is completely unprecedented.
“The only way is up for us now and we’re looking forward to using this momentum to reach the next level.”
Llinos Neale, Community Manager at Welsh ICE, said Kevin is a “testament to the fact that with the right idea, focus and attitude, anyone can turn a concept into a successful business”.
She added: “He spotted an issue that is shared by many in the cycling community and came up with an innovative solution. That’s the essence of entrepreneurship – solving problems.”
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