Kingkraft have been designing and manufacturing products for use by less able people for over 20 years and have accumulated much experience in this area.
In the field in which we operate there is no shortage of new ideas for products which satisfy a particular need for one or other user groups. The first major task is selecting those opportunities which present the best chance of success measured by expected return on the costs to be incurred in its development.
Having narrowed down the field of potential products, the really hard work of making a functional product begins. Firstly, user groups are consulted and rough mock-ups produced to test ergonomic issues. From these rough beginnings of an idea, a picture begins to emerge of the likely requirements of the product in terms of construction. At this point, the task is now to start deisgn work on the aesthetic appearance. Kingkraft products are used in thousands of homes and care facilities and it is vital that they fit in with the user’s decor and aspirations for the design of their homes.
Having brought all these aspects together, the next task is to engineer the product to enable it first to be manufactured at an economic price and then to be built in such a manner as to withstand the rigours of use for many years.
Finally, a pre-production prototype is produced and manufacturing difficulties are ironed out before the all important launch date. Often with new products, establishing the supply chain of components from many different suppliers can be very difficult as no-one knows how successful the product will be. The anticipated demand determines the amount of launch stock to be ordered. We are used to seeing queues of people for the latest computer consoles as demand outstrips supply in the early days. Its easy to underestimate and costly to overestimate.
Once the product has become established, it’s time to review the next phase of its development and to start the whole process over again.
Kingkraft are very interested to receive suggestions for new product development from interested parties with ideas they would like to see turned into new products.
Nigel Harrison
Kingkraft Ltd
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on Friday, May 18th, 2007 at 9:52 am and is filed under Articles