Product development consultancy AME Group has won an international design award for an innovative device that enables door handles to be fitted in minutes.
The Sheffield-based firm beat off global competition to win a prestigious Red Dot Award for the JigTech Pro, which it developed in partnership with Ossett-based Dale Hardware.
The international Red Dot jury of 40 experts spent several days assessing more than 5,500 entries from manufacturers and designers in 54 countries.
Compared to traditional methods, the JigTech system saves contractors and fitters around 20 minutes when installing a handle and latch to interior doors.
The device incorporates an adjustable latch bore and self-centring clamp system that guides the user when drilling, eliminating the need to measure and mark by hand.
AME Group developed JigTech Pro from concept through to prototyping, testing and volume manufacturing, drawing on its experience of developing tools for the DIY sector.
Tim Stern, design manager at AME Group, said: “The Red Dot Awards are the most prestigious international honour for product design and we are thrilled to be bringing an award back to Yorkshire.
“Dale Hardware recognised the value of design when developing JigTech. Investment in design helps to create innovative products that are commercially successful, driving sales and market share.”
Daniel Monaghan, joint managing director of Dale Hardware, said: “JigTech is a simple solution to an everyday industrial challenge. AME came up with an innovative and visually appealing design that has a unique mechanism. We are delighted with the end result and the Red Dot award is the icing on the cake.
“We have been visiting trade shows asking tradesmen to take on the JigTech Challenge and the feedback has been excellent.”
Professor Dr Peter Zec, founder and CEO of the Red Dot Awards, said: “Red Dot winners are pursuing the right design strategy. They have recognised that good design and economic success go hand in hand. The award by the critical Red Dot jury documents their high design quality and is indicative of their successful design policy.”
The awards culminate with a prize-giving ceremony in Essen, Germany, on 3 July and the publication of the Red Dot Design Yearbook 2017/2018, an international reference work for award-winning design.
