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Latest news from dcpr and its clients
4th October 2010
Latest news from WOW
‘WOW’ factor helps Strand bring new products to market
l-r Roy Baylis (WoW), Catherine Franks (Strand Hardware) and Mark Lavender(Walsall Council)
A specialist in architectural ironmongery and security products is heading for its 20th year in style after tapping into Walsall Council’s Winning Opportunities in Walsall (WOW) programme.
Strand Hardware, which employs 14 people at its 8,000 sq ft site on the town’s Premier Business Park, is tapping into the innovation-based initiative to develop and launch a range of new products.
It is an ambitious move for the forward-looking company and one that will open up a new image conscious customer base that is looking for more aesthetically pleasing designs, not to mention increasing turnover in the process.
“We are currently sole distributors in the UK for two leading European brands: ‘Athmer’ door seals and finger protectors and ‘Antipanic’ emergency exit hardware. These products complement our own range of products, which includes folding openers for windows, friction door stays and highline window gearing,” explained Catherine Franks, Joint Managing Director at Strand Hardware.
“Whilst this combination has seen us grow year on year, there is a lot of competition in our industry so we simply can’t stand still. There is a constant need to innovate and our technical team came up with initial thoughts around a new range of windows fittings which could be more contemporary in style.”
She continued: “The problem we had being a small business is that we have very little resource to take the ideas forward and make them happen.”
This is where WOW came into its own, as part of Walsall Council’s wider Think Walsall business support programme. Its Innovation Change Adviser, Chris Davis, worked in supporting Catherine to develop an action plan for taking the business forward.
A successful introduction and application to the Designing Demand programme was secured, with Strand now able to choose one design agency from a carefully selected shortlist of specialists.
“We simply wouldn’t have known how to pitch our business idea without the support of WOW, yet now we can draw upon the skills and expertise of the Design Council... an unbelievable resource to have,” continued Catherine.
“With this new found impetus, we should be able to launch the new range of products by late 2011 – a year ahead of schedule. This will undoubtedly future proof the business, safeguard positions and create employment opportunities going forward.”
Councillor Adrian Andrew, Walsall Council cabinet member for regeneration, was delighted with the progress the company has made.
“We take great pride in saying that Walsall is open for business. This is a great example of just that.
“The future success of our local economy will be driven by firms like Strand Hardware, who are staying ahead of the game by bringing new ideas to an established sector.
“It has successfully used external expertise and business support through WOW to turn ideas born in their technical department into potential new products that could create new sectors and more sales.”
He concluded: “Strand, who has seen its products used at Wembley Stadium, on the London Underground and at Ferrari World, also use a lot of engineering firms locally so the benefits of more work will be enjoyed right across the borough.”
The £300,000 Winning Opportunities in Walsall (WOW) initiative is set to help 200 firms embrace every aspect of innovation in a bid to remain globally competitive.
Funded by Walsall Council and Walsall Partnership, the initiative will offer a bespoke mix of free, strategic one-on-one mentoring, signposting, specialist clinics and group support.
Each company will receive a one-to-one diagnostic to work up an action plan and will then benefit from the assistance of a skilled mentor who will help them work towards meeting their objectives.
There are also a series of workshops planned including strategic marketing, intellectual property and ‘idea generation vs. opportunity spotting’.
If you would like to take part in the WoW Programme, please contact 07521 520 227or visit www.wowwalsall.co.uk
