This article is from the Bay Times Business section by Jamie Morton.
What do a pair of pharmaceutical socks, some chainsaw-proof chaps and a surfboard bag that turns into a sleeping bag have in common?
They were all designed by the innovative team at Locus Research, who have again starred in New Zealand's most prestigious design awards.
The Mount Maunganui-based firm picked up awards for the fourth year running at Friday night's Best Design Awards, regarded as the Oscars of the design industry.
A silver award acknowledged the three years of hard work the company poured into the Encircle Compression Therapy System - an innovative range of natural, non-invasive compression garments worn on the leg like a sock.
The dual-layer garment, researched and designed by Locus Research for Melbourne-based The Merino Company, is made from a new merino fibre, and has been clinically proven to help prevent and treat circulatory problems and poor venous blood flow in the limbs - a problem that affects about half of all people over 45.
The product will soon be released through 800 pharmacies in Australia, with distributors also in talks with the National Health Service in the UK.
Locus Research managing director Timothy Allan said the garments were also perfect for sports injuries, for which full-body compression suits were often used.
"It was excellent to receive the recognition for them," Mr Allan said.
"We thought we'd do well at the awards, but then we were surprised at the same time."
On the same night, Locus Research won a bronze award for its Forester Forest Armour, lightweight yet tough protective clothing to protect foresters and firefighters against accidental injury caused by rogue chainsaws.
Developed for Manakau-based Jaedon Enterprises, the leader in forestry protection and safety clothing in New Zealand and Australia, the chaps and trousers contain a unique cut-resistant blend of woven Kevlar and high-tenacity fibres that help rapidly stall chainsaws when they come in contact with the clothing.
In developing the product, Locus conducted 360 drop tests with 100 fabric configurations to arrive at the strongest possible materials for the garments.
The product has already been picked up by RD1 and is also licensed to global outdoor power-equipment companies Husqvarna and Makita.
The two awards were the latest in a string of national plaudits for the firm's varied creations, which have also included the storage system, Get Sorted, at the moment being launched nationwide in Australia through Bunnings, and the Curve Travel System, a surfboard bag which converts into a sleeping bag.
"What we are doing, 24/7, is developing products," said Mr Allan.
He founded the company after deciding to go it alone back in 2002.
Mr Allan said Locus Research's point of difference was that it offered companies a design team that could co-ordinate product development from start to finish - and all for the price of what the project would cost to complete internally.
"We take care of everything, from designing the website, collateral and managing suppliers and other companies involved in the design."
The company's role only stopped short of selling the product in the marketplace.
Mr Allan said his dream for Locus Research was for it to be recognised as an "international-class product-development company". - Jamie Morton (Bay Times)
But despite its success - both at the Best Design Awards and marketplaces abroad - he wasn't ready to describe it as such yet.
"I don't know, it's hard to say - by virtue of our commercial success we've got close to it ... but I don't think we're quite there yet."
