Archive for the ‘Business News’ Category

FSA To Take Lead Role in Product Design

Wednesday, March 10th, 2010

The Financial Services Authority is planning to take a more active role in the future over the development of new product design projects that require heavy public financial investment.

The Financial Services Authority is the governing body for the financial sector. Although they have had their hands full with dealing with the list of things that have evolved since the start of the global credit crunch and bankers scandal, and although they normally take a very back seat when it comes to matters that fall outside their realm, it appears that the increase in new product design projects has caused the agency to get involved.

Lord Turner who is the FSA Chairman expressed his concern at how product design issues in the past had been dealt with. “We’ve had a whole series of customer complaints and lots of settlements and money paid out. That isn’t good for consumers or the industry.”

Winner of Product Design TV Show Unveils Eco Light

Wednesday, October 28th, 2009

The winner of reality TV product design show Design For Life on BBC2, Ilsa Parry, has launched her new eco light product – an eco friendly light for children called Kaspa. The light, which uses phosphor to create a green glow, has come to market since the show was recorded almost a year ago.

kaspaThe series, which offered one lucky designer the chance to spend a 6 month stint at Philippe Starck’s design school in Paris involved 12 British designers. Ilsa won over Starck with her innovative walking aid – Flo. Following her time with the famous French designer, Parry returned to Liverpool and established her own design agency – Rethinkthings. Her new product is being stocked by Firebox.

Chinese Manufacturing Growth Benefits Product Design

Monday, October 26th, 2009

The decision to carry out manufacturing in China is one that many UK based companies are taking. Recent news that Chinese manufacturing as grown over the last six months demonstrates the extent to which the world takes advantage of China’s comprehensive factory options.

makersCompanies in the UK know that in many areas, the quality of China’s output has increased dramatically over recent years. With this in mind, manufacturing facilities in China can take on the whole spectrum of manufacturing, from the simplest household items to high technology items such as digital cameras and flat screen TVs.

Along with quality, China’s manufacturing facilities offer a level of price competitiveness that few other nations can match. The combination of quality and cost effectiveness has made China a great place to do business, and a place where entrepreneurs from the UK and indeed around the world see great opportunities in the country in terms of developing products that meet strong demand. In the past, the cost of manufacturing certain items in the UK or a western nation might have been prohibitive.