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news
- 15th May 2008
- Pd-m will be DreamStart on 24th June
- 29th April 2008
- Pd-m exhibits at The Yorkshire Business Market 2008
- 8th February 2008
- Venturefest 2008 another roaring success for Pd-m
- 22nd January 2008
- Exhibiting at Venturefest again
- 8th January 2008
- E ON EnergyLab update
- 16th December 2007
- Managing Director invited to join panel of experts
- 4th December 2007
- Design Works a huge success
- 1st November 2007
- Prototype Salvation for Young Entrepreneur
- 8th June 2007
- Client wins Grand Designs award
- 15th January 2007
- Managing Director shortlisted for entrepreneur award
Design Works a huge success
Representatives from the Design Council and regional development agencies across the country attended the Design Works closing exhibition in Sheffield to learn from the results of the design programme.
Working with the Design Council and with funding from Yorkshire Forward, Business Link launched the programme in January 2006 as the first of its kind in the country. The idea was to encourage small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs) to use design in their businesses, whether to create a new product, design a re-brand or use aspects of design to streamline current practice.
"Design is now recognised by the government as being fundamental to business success,"] said the Design Works project manager for Business Link South Yorkshire. [span:quote:"Because of developments in the global economy, British companies are less likely to be able to compete on price, so what they need to do is add value to their products or services, which is where design can help."
One of the businesses helped by Design Works is Yorkshire based business ASM, which produces ground lighting and signage equipment for use on runways and taxiways, with clients ranging from BAA to the MoD. Their aim was to develop LED lighting as a longer lasting and more energy-efficient alternative to the fluorescent tubes currently used in the industry. Design Works associate Evan Kitsell introduced ASM to product development consultants Pd-m International. Not only were they working on prototypes that have attracted interest from airports both in the UK and abroad, Pd-m also suggested snd implemented improvements to the lighting's casing, which will increase the product's efficacy and cost less to produce.
"It just goes to show what can be achieved by bringing together two experts in their field - matching up an organisation that has in-depth, industry-specific knowledge with an external product development specialist that can bring a fresh pair of eyes to the process," said Evan. "It's a really exciting product, which could lead to airport lighting being 100% LED across the world."
David Kester, Chief Executive of the Design Council, said, "Companies that have design at the heart of their business are more innovative, more productive and have a sharper competitive edge."