# 132: Invention Success in the Construction Industry

- Show: [Product Startup](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup)
- Published: 2022-07-13
- Length: 21m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2022-07-13-132-invention-success-in-the-construction-industry
- Listen: https://productstartup.com/

## Summary

Todd Drouillard, Science and Technology Business leader at architecture firm HED, explains how the construction industry is shifting toward prefabrication and rapid last-mile delivery. He advises inventors to pitch products that reduce labor, increase quality, and simplify installation by integrating multiple components into single, easy-to-install units. Drouillard highlights that successful construction innovations solve specific site problems, such as roof leaks or complex door hardware, by moving assembly from the job site to controlled factory environments.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2022-07-13-132-invention-success-in-the-construction-industry#t=0) Introduction: Todd Drouillard and HED
- [3:20](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2022-07-13-132-invention-success-in-the-construction-industry#t=200) The Shift to Smart Warehousing and Last-Mile Delivery
- [6:53](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2022-07-13-132-invention-success-in-the-construction-industry#t=413) Logistics Challenges for Hardware Startups
- [11:20](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2022-07-13-132-invention-success-in-the-construction-industry#t=680) The Rise of Prefabrication and Offsite Construction
- [15:39](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2022-07-13-132-invention-success-in-the-construction-industry#t=939) Solving Roof Leaks and Door Hardware Integration
- [19:02](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2022-07-13-132-invention-success-in-the-construction-industry#t=1142) Finding Problems on Job Sites to Create Solutions

## Topics

- [Logistics & fulfilment](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/logistics-and-fulfillment)
- [Design for manufacturing & NPI](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/design-for-manufacturing)
- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)
- [Industrial & consumer product design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/industrial-design)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- HED (company)
- Sweets (other)
- Amazon (company)
- Mako Design + Invent (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Reshaping the Homebuilding Industry with Advanced Robotics and Microfactories w/ Vikas Enti](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2025-07-08-reshaping-the-homebuilding-industry-with-advanced-robotics-and-microfactories-w) (The Manufacturing Executive)
- [Episode 150: House building robots - Vikas Enti](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2026-03-27-episode-150-house-building-robots-vikas-enti) (Robot Talk)
- [Episode 274: Fold time back on itself](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2020-08-28-episode-274-fold-time-back-on-itself) (Making It)

## Citing this page

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