SaltTap: Making Winter Safer, Smarter, and Simpler

Every winter, homeowners and small businesses in snowbelt regions rush to buy salt—only to find store shelves empty or overpriced. SaltTap solves this problem with smart, self-service bulk salt dispensers that are always stocked, always open, and always fairly priced.

We're tapping into the same bulk supply chains used by municipalities and bringing them directly to the public—no pallets, no plastic bags, no guessing if the store has salt. With a credit card tap, customers can fill a bucket of high-quality rock salt or premium ice melt any time—day or night.

What Makes SaltTap Different

• Reliable Access – We stay stocked even when storms surge and stores sell out
• 24/7 Convenience – Self-serve dispensers placed where people already stop: gas stations, hardware stores, and grocery store parking lots
• Better Value – Bulk pricing without the bulk purchase; same salt for less than big-box bagged prices
• Premium Option – Our "SaltTap+" additive blend offers faster melting for those who need extra performance

Near-Term Business Goals

• Prototype & Pilot: Launch a working unit and field-test it in a real retail environment within 12 months
• Unit Economics: Prove strong per-site margins and servicing model within 18 months
• Strategic Expansion: Grow to 50+ units across the Northeast within 3 years
• Evolve the Offering: Introduce premium "SaltTap+" blends and explore off-season uses

SaltTap is a founder-led Limited Liability Company (LLC) based in the Northeastern U.S., established in 2025 by Keith Aubin. The structure is intentionally lean and agile to accelerate early decision-making, prototyping, and go-to-market activity.

Mission

To make winter safety simple, reliable, and accessible—by reinventing how people access de-icing materials when they need them most.

Vision

To become the trusted national platform for on-demand seasonal infrastructure—starting with winter salt, and expanding into adjacent seasonal products and services through a smart network of self-service dispensers.

Leadership

Keith Aubin – Founder & CEO
Keith brings deep operational and technical experience from the worlds of robotics, field deployment, and scalable infrastructure. He has led projects across logistics, automation, and edge-connected systems—making him uniquely equipped to bridge hardware, service operations, and real-world product delivery.

The Problem

Every winter, homeowners and small business owners scramble to buy de-icing salt just before or during storms. Big box stores, gas stations, and hardware stores often sell out. People end up driving around in dangerous conditions, overpaying for whatever's left—or going without.

The Opportunity

• Over 10 million tons of salt sold in the U.S. through retail channels every year
• Over $3 billion in annual sales, most to homeowners and small businesses
• A single 50 lb bag sells for $8–$12, while bulk salt costs less than $2 for the same amount
• Premium ice melt products can sell for $15–$25 per bag during storms

Target Customers

• Homeowners who need 1–3 buckets per storm
• Small businesses like restaurants, retail shops, and apartment buildings
• Independent snow contractors who buy 2–10 buckets at a time before plowing runs

Why Now?

• Winter storms are getting more intense and more frequent
• Customers are already used to self-service machines (propane tanks, Redbox, water dispensers)
• Bulk delivery tech and remote monitoring make this possible now
• There is no direct competitor doing this in a widespread or well-branded way

SaltTap Dispenser

A smart, self-service bulk salt dispenser designed for outdoor placement at high-traffic locations. Each unit is weather-resistant, remotely monitored, and easy to refill using bulk delivery methods.

• Touchless payment system (card, tap-to-pay, mobile wallet)
• Sealed hopper that holds 5–10 tons of salt
• Motorized auger system for fast, mess-free dispensing
• Telemetry-enabled monitoring to track inventory
• Optional heated components for deep freezes

SaltTap+ (Premium Offering)

• Enhanced de-icing blends with calcium or magnesium chloride additives
• Dual-dispenser functionality for standard and premium options
• Liquid additive injection system for customized melt blends
• Tiered pricing for added performance

Customer Experience

1. Pull up to the SaltTap unit at a familiar retail location
2. Swipe card or phone, select product (standard or premium)
3. Place a bucket beneath the chute
4. Dispense and go—no lines, no searching for staff, no empty shelves

Revenue Streams

• Per-Bucket Sales (Core): $9–$11 per bucket (~50 lbs) for standard; +$3–$5 for SaltTap+
• Retail Host Partnerships: Commission per sale or fixed seasonal lease
• Ancillary Revenue (Future): Branded buckets, off-season products, franchise/licensing

ROI & Payback (750 Buckets Sold)

Pilot Launch (Year 1)

• Target Region: New England and Upstate New York
• Placement Sites: Independent gas stations, hardware stores, grocery stores, convenience stores
• Pilot Objectives: Validate per-unit revenue, refill intervals, and logistics costs; gather user feedback

Marketing Channels

• On-site signage with branded units + QR-based instructions
• Geo-targeted digital ads during storm windows
• Community engagement with plow operators and local chambers
• Earned media positioning SaltTap as the fix to winter salt shortages

Long-Term Growth Pathways

• Franchise & Licensed Operator Model — Local entrepreneurs purchase and operate units
• White-Label Retail Deployments — Regional/national chains host co-branded units
• Municipal & Public-Private Models — Cities deploy units at DPW yards
• Platform Expansion — Additional seasonal bulk products

Supply Chain

• Bulk salt sourced from regional wholesalers and commercial suppliers
• Same vendors that supply municipalities ensures priority access during storms
• SaltTap+ additives pre-mixed at depots or added via in-unit additive tanks

Installation & Servicing

• Units delivered pre-assembled; setup takes 1–2 hours
• Inventory monitored via remote sensors and software
• Typical refill interval: every 7–14 days depending on weather
• 120V power input (15A max), forklift-compatible base

Host Site Requirements

• Outdoor footprint ~10–15 sq ft
• 120V power with GFCI protection
• Visible from road or store entrance

Financial Projections

Financing Strategy

• Phase 1: Bootstrapped + Friends & Family (~$100K, convertible note/SAFE)
• Phase 2: Angel/Seed Investment ($300K–$500K post-pilot)
• Phase 3: Strategic Growth Capital (Year 3+)

Short-Term (0–12 Months)

• Finalize prototype design with 5–10 ton hopper capacity
• Build and field-test 1–2 units under real-world winter conditions
• Secure 3–5 host locations in target region
• Achieve >75% uptime, >600 bucket sales per unit during storm events

Medium-Term (12–36 Months)

• Deploy 15–30 additional units within cluster zones
• Roll out SaltTap+ at 100% of new units
• Prepare for $300–500K seed round with pilot data

Long-Term (3–5 Years)

• Expand into Midwest, Great Lakes, and Mid-Atlantic snow zones
• Launch franchise program (100–300 new sites/year)
• Multi-dispenser "Salt Station" clusters at large retail hubs