1. Executive Summary: A Company’s New Path
Trusscore is a company that has changed. It started in 2007 as MSW Plastics. It made PVC panels. Now, it is a material science company. Its main goal is to make better, greener materials for building. This change was led by CEO Dave Caputo. He came from the tech world. He saw a big chance in the building industry, which does not change much.
Trusscore wants people to look at the total cost of a project, not just the price of the materials. Trusscore products, like Wall&CeilingBoard, cost more to buy than drywall. But they cost less to install and maintain. The panels are light and connect easily. This makes them four times faster to install than drywall. That saves a lot on labor. Trusscore products are also very strong and resist water. This means they last a long time and save money on repairs.
The company has grown in two ways: with new tech and good marketing. It has its own lab for research. It also works with the University of Waterloo. This focus on new materials is part of its plan to be good for the environment. The company got a big investment from a fund that invests in green companies. At the same time, Trusscore has moved into the home market. It bought other companies and works with famous people like HGTV hosts Bryan and Sarah Baeumler. This plan helps Trusscore reach many customers. It connects with a new group of buyers who care about products that are strong, easy, and green.
2. Introduction: Drywall Is Old News
For almost 100 years, drywall has been used for indoor walls. It was created in 1916. It became widely used by the 1940s. But drywall has problems. It can be damaged by water and can grow mold. It also breaks easily. Drywall is bad for the environment, too. Millions of tons of drywall go to landfills each year. There, it can release a toxic, bad-smelling gas. This created a big chance for a new kind of product.
Trusscore wants to be that new product. It calls itself a “material science company for sustainable building materials.” The company wants to change the building industry, which is slow to change. It wants to offer products that work better and are better for the planet. Trusscore’s products are strong, can be reused, and can be recycled. This report will look at Trusscore’s business, products, and plans for the future.
3. Company Profile: Building Meets Tech
3.1 Company Story
Steve Bosman and Joel Koops started Trusscore in 2007. It was first called MSW Plastics. The company did well in the farming industry. Its products were used in barns because they were tough and easy to clean. Then, CEO Dave Caputo came to the company. He was a tech leader. He saw a big chance to use science to change the building industry. He saw drywall as an old product with many problems.
The company changed its name to Trusscore. Its new tagline was “Material Science.” This was a clear sign of its new path. It went from being a normal PVC panel maker to a tech leader. It opened a research lab in Kitchener, Ontario. It also began working with the University of Waterloo. This focus on research and real-world use is how the company grows.
3.2 Milestones
Trusscore has had many important events. It was named one of Canada’s fastest-growing companies for eight years straight. The company raised $5.33 million in May 2020. This money helped it grow. The biggest event was a $26 million investment in October 2021. This was the first time Round13 Capital’s “Earth Tech Fund” invested in a company. This fund invests in companies that help the environment. This shows that Trusscore’s mission is valued.
In July 2021, Trusscore bought a company in Calgary called Westech Building Products. This purchase helped Trusscore in two ways. It gave the company more factories and a larger reach in Western Canada and the U.S. It also added new products, like a dock and deck system. This shows that Trusscore grows by both its own efforts and by buying other companies.
3.3 Leaders and Partners
The leaders at Trusscore include CEO Dave Caputo and Co-Founders Steve Bosman and Joel Koops. Marianne Thompson also joined the board. She has 37 years of experience in the building industry. A key part of Trusscore’s plan is to work with well-known people. It has partnered with HGTV hosts Bryan and Sarah Baeumler, building expert Matt Risinger, and others. These partnerships help the brand build trust with customers.
Trusscore’s mix of a tech CEO, green investors, and social media partners is a new approach. Most building companies work only with other businesses. But Trusscore’s plan helps it get into the home and DIY markets. This helps Trusscore compete in an industry that has been the same for a long time.
4. The Trusscore Product Line: Strong and Useful
4.1 The Main Product: Wall&CeilingBoard
Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard is the company’s main product. It is a strong replacement for drywall and FRP panels. The panels are made from a plastic called PVC. They have a special inner design that makes them strong but light. This design lets one person install them. It also makes the job much faster than using other materials.
The product has many key features:
- Top Fire Rating: It has the highest fire rating possible, called Class A. This is important for business buildings.
- Fights Germs: The panels have a smooth surface. This surface stops mold, bacteria, and viruses from growing. This makes them great for places like kitchens and hospitals.
- Reflects Light: White Trusscore panels reflect 90% of the light that hits them. This makes a room brighter and can save energy.
- Meets Safety Rules: The product meets all major safety rules, like FDA and USDA standards. This means it can be used in places like food factories.
4.2 The Storage System: SlatWall
Trusscore SlatWall is a strong storage system. It works with Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard. Old-style slatwalls are heavy and can be ruined by water. Trusscore SlatWall is made of PVC. It is light, waterproof, and easy to clean. It works with any standard 3-inch slatwall accessory. This gives users more options for how they organize their space.
4.3 Other Products and Future Ideas
Trusscore also has other products. TempWall is a temporary wall for hospitals. NorLock is a strong divider for animal pens. These products show the company can create solutions for specific needs. The company has even bigger plans for the future. It is working on a “digital paint” idea. This is a panel that can change color with a button. This shows the company’s focus on new, high-tech ideas.
Table 1: Key Product Specifications and Applications
Product Name | Core Material | Key Features | Target Applications | Key Benefits |
Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard | High-Strength Polymer (PVC) | Inner Truss Design, Antimicrobial, Class A Fire Rating, High LRV (0.90), Regulatory Compliance | Residential, Commercial, Agriculture | Easy Installation, Durability, Water Resistance, High-Hygiene Surface |
Trusscore SlatWall | High-Strength Polymer (PVC) | Lightweight, Impact-Resistant, Compatible with Standard 3″ Slatwall Accessories | Residential (Garages, Workshops), Commercial | Flexible Organization, Durability, Water Resistance, Easy to Clean |
TempWall | High-Strength Polymer (PVC) | Freestanding, Interlocking System, Hospital-Grade | Commercial (Healthcare) | Quick & Easy to Install/Remove, Reconfigurable, Hygienic |
NorLock | High-Strength Polymer (PVC) | Freestanding, Interlocking Divider Planks | Agriculture, Commercial | Durable Penning & Partitioning, Easy to Clean |
Export to Sheets
5. Competitive Analysis: A Smart Way to Win
5.1 Trusscore vs. Drywall: A Better Deal
Comparing Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard to drywall shows Trusscore is a better value over time. Trusscore’s material costs about $2.75 to $3.75 per square foot. This is more expensive than drywall, which costs from $0.40 to $3.00 per square foot. But Trusscore saves money on installation and maintenance.
Drywall installation is a long, hard job. It takes many days and often needs a pro to do it. Trusscore panels are already finished and connect together. They can be installed up to four times faster. A room that takes days with drywall can be done in one afternoon with Trusscore. Trusscore is also strong and resists water and mold. Drywall breaks easily and needs repairs. Trusscore panels are made to last longer than the buildings they are in. They never need to be painted. This means much lower costs in the long run.
Table 2: Trusscore vs. Drywall Comparison
Category | Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard | Traditional Drywall |
Material Cost (per sq. ft.) | Higher ($2.75 – $3.75) | Lower ($0.40 – $3.00) |
Installation Process | Pre-finished, interlocking panels with hidden screws. Installs up to 4x faster. | Requires multiple steps: cutting, hanging, mudding, taping, sanding, and painting. |
Labor | Lightweight, requires less labor; can be installed by one person. | Labor-intensive, often requiring multiple skilled installers over several days. |
Durability | Highly resistant to dents, cracks, and impacts. | Susceptible to damage from impacts, dents, and cracks. |
Moisture/Mold Resistance | 100% waterproof; non-porous surface prevents mold/mildew growth. | Not waterproof; can absorb water and is highly prone to mold and mildew. |
Maintenance | Virtually maintenance-free; can be repeatedly cleaned and pressure washed. | Requires regular repainting, patching, and potential mold treatment. |
Recyclability | 100% recyclable, can be re-ground into new materials. | Difficult to recycle; decomposes to release toxic gases in landfills. |
5.2 Trusscore vs. FRP: Cleaner and Easier
Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard is also a better choice than Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic (FRP) panels. FRP is a common material used in businesses. Trusscore’s design fixes FRP’s problems.
Installation is a key difference. FRP needs a lot of work and messy glue. This makes it slow and easy to mess up. If the seams are not sealed well, water can get in. This can cause mold and bacteria to grow. Trusscore uses a simple system that needs only a few screws and no glue. This makes it much faster to install. The company says its product has a 33% lower installed cost than FRP.
Trusscore is also cleaner and stronger than FRP. Its smooth surface does not let germs grow. FRP’s seams can let water in, which can cause the panels to fall apart over time. Trusscore is made from solid PVC and is more rigid. It resists dents and cracks better than FRP. Also, Trusscore has a higher fire rating (Class A) than most FRP panels (Class C). It is also 100% recyclable.
Table 3: Trusscore vs. FRP Comparison
Category | Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard | Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic (FRP) |
Installation Process | Simple, interlocking, pre-finished panels. Installs directly to studs. No glue or backers needed. | Multi-step process with messy glue, backers, and complex seam finishing. Requires multiple skilled installers. |
Installed Cost | Claimed 33% lower installed cost due to faster, less labor-intensive process. | Lower material cost, but higher labor and additional material costs (glue, backers). |
Hygiene | Smooth, non-porous, antimicrobial surface prevents mold/bacteria growth. Pressure-washable. | Seams are weak points that can trap moisture and harbor mold and bacteria. |
Durability | Inner truss design provides high strength and rigidity, resisting dents, cracks, and abrasion. | Impact-resistant, but can crack or gouge. Prone to delamination in wet areas over time. |
Fire Rating | Class A. | Typically Class C, with some Class A options. |
Sustainability | 100% recyclable; service life of up to 100 years. Low-VOC compliant. | Difficult to recycle due to backers and glue; often needs replacement every 5 years in demanding environments. |
6. Markets and Uses: A Plan for Many Fields
Trusscore sells to three main markets: homes, businesses, and farms. This lets the company use its products in many places.
6.1 For Homes
Trusscore started with businesses. But it has also grown into the home market. The products are great for garages, basements, laundry rooms, and workshops. Customers say the panels are light, easy to install, and work well in wet places. One person said the product was fine after their laundry room flooded with 12 inches of water. This shows homeowners that the product is a strong choice. Some customers say the panels look “plain plastic.” But this is okay for utility spaces.
6.2 For Businesses and Industry
Trusscore’s products are well-known in business settings. They are used where being strong, clean, and low-maintenance is a must. You can find the panels in car washes, commercial kitchens, and hospitals. The panels’ smooth, washable surface and resistance to chemicals are very important in these places. The product meets FDA and USDA rules. This makes it a good choice for places that handle food, where safety is key.
6.3 For Farming
The farming market is still a main focus for Trusscore. The panels were first made for this industry. They are used in barns and stables. The panels can be pressure washed and can handle chemicals and moisture. This makes them a lasting, clean choice for animal and plant care. This first market gave the company the proof it needed to move into other areas.
7. What People Think
7.1 What Customers Say
Reviews from places like Home Depot are mostly good. The most common praise is for how easy it is to install. Many users say the product is “very quick and easy to install” and “much easier than drywall.” People also like that the panels are light. This is good for DIY projects. They also confirm that the product works well in wet places.
But some feedback points out problems. Some customers reported that the panels arrived with scratches. Others said the panels have a “plain plastic” look. This means the product is great for what it is made for, but it may not be a good fit for nicer living areas.
7.2 What Experts Say
The company is also supported by experts and awards. Trusscore works with well-known people like HGTV hosts Bryan and Sarah Baeumler. These partnerships help build trust in the brand.
Trusscore has also won industry awards. It was named one of the most innovative building products at the “Best of International Builders’ Show (IBS) Awards.” This award proves that the product is a high-quality and new idea.
8. Sustainability: Good for the Planet
Being eco-friendly is a key part of Trusscore’s work. The company wants to fix the big waste problem in the construction industry.
A main part of this is that the products can be recycled and last a long time. Trusscore panels can last up to 100 years. They can also be recycled and reused up to seven times to make new PVC products. This is a big change from drywall, which is hard to recycle. It releases a toxic gas when it breaks down in landfills. The company also has a program to recycle products and is part of a council for vinyl sustainability.
Trusscore products also help buildings get a green award called LEED certification. The panels can help a building earn points for creating less waste. They also help with indoor air quality because they are low-VOC compliant. Also, the panels’ high light reflection can cut down on energy use for lights. By making its products green, Trusscore offers a solution that helps the environment.
9. Conclusion and Advice
The report shows that Trusscore is a material science company. It is ready to change the building industry. Its strengths are its new products, its clear cost benefits, its use in many markets, and its real focus on being green. The company has used its research and marketing to grow from working with businesses to reaching homeowners.
The company still has issues, like the higher starting cost and the “plain plastic” look. But its long-term value is strong. The benefits of faster installation, strength, and low maintenance make Trusscore a good choice for many projects. Its plan to compete with drywall and FRP shows it knows its market well. Its focus on being green is also attractive to more people and investors.
Here is some advice based on this:
- For Investors: Trusscore is a good investment. It is a leader in an old industry ready for a change. Its focus on the environment and its ability to grow make it a smart choice for the long term.
- For Contractors: Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard should be seen as a better choice for jobs that need strength, hygiene, and fast installation. The savings on labor and maintenance over time make it a good pick for places like commercial kitchens and farms.
- For Homeowners: For utility rooms like garages, workshops, and basements, Trusscore is a good long-term buy. It is fast and easy to install and resists damage and moisture. This gives you a solution that you can “build once and forget about it.”