Innovating Safe Play: An Interview with the Visionary Behind Rainbow Mulch
In a world of product innovation, few stories are as inspiring as that of our production manager. In this interview, we learn about Lorrie Nichols and her discovery of non-toxic rubber surfacing, establishing the Rainbow Mulch Division of Wells Manufacturing. Lorrie started at Wells making children's toys. Years into her manufacturing career, things took a turn. China undercut U.S. production, leaving manufacturing companies struggling to compete with cheap materials and labor. U.S. manufacturers, like Wells, needed to explore new opportunities. Here is Lorrie's story.
Q: When did you start working for Wells Manufacturing, and what was your first position?
L: I started working for Wells about 25 years ago. On my first day on the job, I was assigned to the bubble station, the production line that made bubbles for children. I dropped wands in bubbles for about 20 minutes, then was moved to rubber manufacturing.
Q: How did you learn to make closed-cell sponge rubber? Was it difficult?
L: I worked with rubber my first day. I was initially very nervous—the machine was huge and intimidating. I was young and had little work experience. I had never run anything like it before—I almost quit!
I was the first woman to ever run rubber operations. Senior employees that had been there for years were skeptical of women working with the machines. But that changed with new ownership—I began meeting with a new supervisor, who took me under his wing. He worked with me every day. It was a challenge, and it took weeks of practice to master the technique. It is not something you learn in a few days; it's a skill. In the almost 25 years I have been at Wells, I have continued to learn the rubber process. I am still learning.
Q: Tell us the story of how you discovered Rainbow Mulch.
L: I would experiment with excess rubber we had from years of rubber production. I put some of this rubber through a cutter, curious about the size, consistency, and qualities. When it came out of the cutter, it was these perfect-sized rubber pieces. As a mother of six, I always thought of safe play ideas for my kids. I remember thinking, "This could go in play areas; it's soft, doesn't stain kids' clothes, and is non-toxic." I knew this because the rubber we manufacture was originally for children's toys, which required safety product testing. I pitched the idea to leadership. I assumed they would think I was crazy, but they met me with equal curiosity and excitement!
Q: What do you like the most about leading the manufacturing process of Rainbow Mulch?
L: I like the daily challenge. I have an excellent support team. My ideas never go unnoticed or disregarded. I push myself to my full potential in learning this process and teaching others.
Q: What was your reaction when the ASTM test results revealed that 3" of Rainbow Mulch protects a 20' fall*?
L: I knew Rainbow Mulch was a great product before we sent it for professional testing. I ran in-house testing to see firsthand how excellent the product was with fall protection, durability, and fun. I'm a bit of a helicopter mom, so trying it at home first speaks volumes to how much I trust the product. When the results came back, I was surprised! It exceeded my expectations.
*ASTM F1292-22 tested 2" compacted, 3" uncompacted Rainbow Mulch over landscape fabric on 12" compacted soil.
Q: How would you describe your team at Rainbow Mulch?
L: We have an exceptional team at Rainbow Mulch. The whole crew, from sales to production, is very conscious about the products we make and the families we serve. Everyone on our team goes above and beyond to ensure we make the best rubber surface on the market. Every person takes a lot of pride in their work.
Q: As a mom of six kids (and grandkids), how does it feel when families express gratitude for the safest, non-toxic play mulch?
L: It's amazing to hear how great our product is from our customers—families, childcare centers, and schools. I love to provide a product that is safe, dependable, and visually appealing. It is a great honor to know that my discovery helps kids have fun and stay safe—kids who are part of families, just like mine.