# 40: Agglomerated Cork

- Show: [Thoroughly Considered](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered)
- Published: 2018-08-03
- Length: 31m
- Episode: 40
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2018-08-03-40-agglomerated-cork
- Listen: http://relay.fm/tc/40

## Summary

Tom Gerhardt and Dan Provost of Studio Neat discuss the production status of their Mark One pen, detailing the transition from prototype to manufacturing with a Chinese factory. They explain the decision to use molded agglomerated cork for sustainable, reusable packaging and the logistical challenge of sourcing cheaper custom-branded Schmidt refills directly from the manufacturer rather than through US distributors. The episode covers specific engineering tweaks, such as testing nickel plating for lubricity and final assembly strategies in Austin.

## Chapters

- [1:02](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2018-08-03-40-agglomerated-cork#t=62) Production Samples and PO Submission
- [2:34](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2018-08-03-40-agglomerated-cork#t=154) Testing Plating and Tolerances
- [8:10](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2018-08-03-40-agglomerated-cork#t=490) Molded Cork Packaging Design
- [11:19](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2018-08-03-40-agglomerated-cork#t=679) Cork Material and Sustainability
- [17:19](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2018-08-03-40-agglomerated-cork#t=1039) Packaging Cost and Material Comparison
- [24:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2018-08-03-40-agglomerated-cork#t=1440) Custom Schmidt Refills and Distribution
- [28:40](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2018-08-03-40-agglomerated-cork#t=1720) Final Assembly and QC Strategy

## Topics

- [Packaging design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/packaging-design)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)
- [Sustainability & circular products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sustainability-and-circularity)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Studio Neat (company)
- Mark One (product)
- Glyph (product)
- Cosmonaut (product)
- Schmidt (product)
- Retro 51 (company)
- Fisher Space Pen (product)
- Field Notes (company)
- UPO (material)

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- [278 - Packaging Today with special guest Brian Davis and new intro made by AJ Peek!](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2024-08-12-278-packaging-today-with-special-guest-brian-davis-and-new-intro-made-by-aj-peek) (People of Packaging)
- [351 - The best RTD innovation I've seen in packaging! 2 cans with Tatiana Chamorro from Toucan](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2026-06-15-351-the-best-rtd-innovation-ive-seen-in-packaging-2-cans-with-tatiana-chamorro-f) (People of Packaging)
- [103 - Sustainable Shipping Packaging with Saloni Doshi, CEO of Ecoenclose](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2022-02-01-103-sustainable-shipping-packaging-with-saloni-doshi-ceo-of-ecoenclose) (People of Packaging)
- [Episode 294: Bwhu, bwhu, bwhu, bwhu](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2021-02-05-episode-294-bwhu-bwhu-bwhu-bwhu) (Making It)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2018-08-03-40-agglomerated-cork. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to Thoroughly Considered.