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ABOUT MFX

THE STORY BEHIND MFX
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Sometimes a Terrific Idea Just Happens --
and an Unconventional New Company is Born!

Ever see a great invention and wonder why you didn’t come up with it first? A new creation always seems obvious after the fact. Often inventions stem from a particular need, but some inventions are great ideas that just pop into the head of their creators. That’s exactly how the idea for the MFX™ Classic was born.

One evening in 1992 motorcycle enthusiast Rob Parrette, who got his first motorcycle at age 15, was talking to his brother about biking when it occurred to him that he could create a motorcycle-style faucet using motorcycle handlebars as the taps and a motorcycle tank to house the spout. Having never seen a similar product before, he thought the concept just might have possibilities.

However, life intervened and further development of the motorcycle-inspired faucet was delayed for nearly 10 years when Rob was then able to return to the project. With input from friends, engineers in the family and plumbers, Rob was finally able to convert his idea into a patentable design. He filed for his first design patent in 2002, and received this patent for a new, original and functional, decorative design for a plumbing fixture in early 2003.

Rob also understood that to get this off the ground; he needed a lot of help. By mid-2003, he had identified two partners, Alex Sgoutas and Debra Ward, each of whom brought needed skill sets and business experience to the table, but who were also passionate about motorcycles, albeit from different perspectives. Alex brought extensive entrepreneurial and executive business management as well as marketing expertise, along with 35 years as a biker. Debra provided an operations and research background, along with web site development skills and product market share analysis experience and enjoyed biking with her husband.

With external and internal designs coming together, the team was more convinced than ever that they had a unique product and that with more than 6 million biker homes in the U.S. alone, there was a significant market for them to tap into. They also recognized that serious riders demand performance, quality and craftsmanship in anything related to their motorcycles. Determined to help bikers “bring their ride inside”, the three partners started working together on a part-time basis doing preliminary research to gauge biker response to the product.

The company was incorporated on December 15, 2003 in Connecticut as Motorcycle Faucets & FiXtures, Inc., later abbreviated to MFX, Inc. and continued the process of developing the MFX™ Classic – its first product. MFX also secured financial backing from angel investor and motorcycle enthusiast Cliff LaMotta, owner of Cliff’s Cycle Revolution in Danbury, Connecticut, a premier BMW-Aprilia-Ducati dealership. Cliff also serves on the Board of Directors of MFX and provides valuable experience and retail advice to the company.

An extensive search was conducted to locate the best manufacturer, followed by nearly two years of further product design, engineering and patent protection. With production underway, MFX then focused on introduction of the Classic. Working with a marketing agency in Wilton, Connecticut, a comprehensive marketing strategy was developed and launched in the spring of 2006

Since its introduction, the MFX™ Classic has been a featured product on HGTV “I Want that Baths”, American Thunder and in numerous magazines. The Classic has also been showcased in several motorcycle shows nationwide.

THE MFX MISSION
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To develop and introduce unconventional motorcycle accessories for the
biking enthusiast as well as the designer faucet clientele

The goal of MFX, Inc. is to offer its customers - biker and non-biker alike - the ability to own a unique quality product that brings a taste of the open road right in their own home, business, or RV in a bold, stunning, and unexpected way.

THE PEOPLE BEHIND MFX
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Alex T. Sgoutas, Chief Executive Officer - With more than 30 years' business experience, Alex brings extensive entrepreneurial, executive business management and leadership expertise to his role with MFX, Inc. His career includes tenures in high level marketing and sales positions with Heublein, Inc., PepsiCo Inc., Norton Simon, and a Moet Hennessey subsidiary. He ran a small manufacturing company and has helped many startups get off the ground. More recently Alex was CEO and a Director for a high tech start-up company and later a Managing Director at Delta Capital Group. Born in Greece and raised in South Africa, Alex speaks several languages and actively participates in many outdoor sports. He has owned a number of different motorcycles over the last 35 years and is an active member of two CT-based motorcycle clubs. Alex holds a BA from Trinity College, Hartford, CT, and also studied Law at Athens University.

Debra Ward, Director of Operations - With a 22-year background in research spanning several professional environments Debra brings to MFX an extensive and diverse skill set that ranges from scientific and market research, to market share analysis, and project management. For the past several years she has owned and operated her own consulting business serving clients in their market analysis, development of marketing materials and web site development needs. Debra has lived and traveled internationally and is active in the community through her children's scouting and sports activities. Debra holds a BS from Lebanon Valley College in Annville, PA.

Rob Parrette, Inventor - An entrepreneur and mechanic at heart, Rob started RC Keefe Construction Company in Jamestown, NY specializing in light residential construction. His quest for tinkering helped him to get his first motorcycle (Yamaha DT250) at age 15 and his first street bike, (Kawasaki CSR305) at age 17. Among his many mechanical projects, Rob stripped and rebuilt his bike to avoid sending it to the shop. In addition he rebuilt his first car engine at age 16, retrofitting a Chevy Cavalier with a Cadillac engine. His design capabilities started when he designed and built his first house before the age of 30. These mechanical and design talents were a natural foundation for the development of the motorcycle faucet. While many people have ideas for new inventions, Rob had the motivation to take his idea and move it forward to further develop and secure the first patent for what became the MFX Classic. Rob is currently Assistant Manager for a leading commercial and residential building supplier in southeast CT. Rob is also active on several professional Boards and in the community through the activities of his children.

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