The Association is inviting the nursery industry and wider community, including students and entrepreneurs to submit interesting product ideas for consideration.
The Baby Products Association is keen to promote excellence and innovation in the nursery sector, which is reflected in its annual Concept & Innovation Awards. Over the years, entries have included interesting and innovative ideas – many of which have proceeded to market.
Robert Anslow, managing director of the Association, explained: “The judges are almost always pleasantly surprised by the ingenuity of many of the entries received. In the past we have seen everything from special gadgets to aid feeding and weaning; new company products to make travelling with babies and young children easier; to sleep solutions and even toys.
“On occasions, the judges – who are all industry experts with many years combined experience in all aspects of baby products from design and manufacture; to safety and compliance; to retail and marketing – have advised entrants that their idea could prove too ambitious in terms of manufacturing costs and realistic retail prices. There are often also concerns on how some designs would be able to comply with rigorous testing and safety standards.
“However, there have also been many success stories, with the products which began as a seed of an idea presented to the judges now thriving in the market place. The majority of entrants are also grateful to receive knowledgeable and valuable feedback before embarking on what could potentially be an expensive journey to production.”
The winner of the 2021 Concept and Innovation Award was Stuart Kingswell with Squirrel – an instant formula feeding dispenser. The judges were impressed with the clever design and engineering of the product, which allows water and formula to be carried in the same bottle, but only mixed when a button is pressed.
The entry form for the 2022 awards can be downloaded here, and the only clause is that the product idea must not be for sale prior to Harrogate International Nursery Fair (16 – 18 October, 2022).
