By recognizing a customer need and finding an innovative solution, Modus® founder and CEO, Andrew Reiner, invented a brand-new product. Welcome to the ZonePro® origin story.
The Problem:
The Home Depot faced a recurring challenge with their safety barriers: the traditional metal accordion gates used to block aisles were frequently damaged during overnight restocking. Forklift drivers, maneuvering through tight spaces, often collided with the bulky gates even when they were fully retracted. This led to regular repairs and replacements, and created inefficiencies during restocking.
Additionally, the gates had a visually unappealing, industrial look that detracted from the store’s polished environment. The need for a durable, compact, and aesthetically pleasing solution became evident. The Home Depot sought a better way to manage aisle access and improve operational safety while reducing the maintenance costs associated with traditional gates.
The Solution:
The answer to this problem was the ZonePro®, a groundbreaking safety barrier engineered and developed by Reiner. Boasting fully retractable mesh banners in Home Depot’s signature orange color, the units are designed to be highly visible to employees and aesthetically pleasing for customers. Furthermore, a dual-sided safety warning that reads “Area Temporarily Closed” in English and Spanish, provides an important visual cue.
But the innovation didn’t stop with the banner. The rack mounted unit, for example, is housed in a compact canister, which eliminates the bulkiness of existing solutions. The brackets securing the barrier are made of durable plastic, designed to absorb impact, and be easily replaced when necessary. This ensures that even accidental collisions with forklifts do not require costly or time-consuming repairs.
Recognizing that different scenarios called for more flexibility, a portable version of the ZonePro® was also developed. Staff members can easily attach the portable barrier to their ballymores, allowing them to deploy it wherever needed, whether blocking an aisle partially or securing temporary work zones.
“What’s unique about this product is its durability,” says Dawn Reiner, Modus® Vice President of Marketing. “Even if a forklift driver accidentally hits the unit, there’s a lot of give. The plastic brackets are inexpensive and easy to replace, which has made them a practical choice for The Home Depot.”
The Results:
The introduction of fixed barriers in The Home Depot stores yielded immediate results. The compact design significantly reduced the risk of damage during overnight restocking, cutting down on maintenance costs. The easily replaceable brackets further contributed to operational savings, as stores no longer needed to completely replace damaged gates.
Portable units also provided added flexibility for staff, improving the efficiency of restocking and maintenance tasks. This mobility allowed employees to respond quickly to changing needs within the store, making ZonePro® barriers a versatile and indispensable tool. Beyond its practical benefits, the units attracted significant interest from customers, who inquired how they could purchase these barriers for their own businesses or personal use.
By solving a specific challenge for The Home Depot, ZonePro® demonstrated its ability to enhance safety, reduce costs, and improve operational efficiency — all while setting a new standard for safety barriers in retail environments.