SUMMER 2017
Focus BRINGING YOU THE LATEST HOT TOPICS IMPACTING BRANDS & BUSINESS
closing the loop A snapshot on how brands are using design to embrace sustainability
contributors
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PAUL JENNINGS HEAD OF TECHNOLOGY
KELLY DAWSON DESIGN STRATEGY MANAGER
PHIL JENKINS HEAD OF UX
ELENA MASSUCC0 HEAD OF CONSUMER
Analysing the rise of the industrial revolution 4.0 - smart factories and smart supply chain.
Investigating the circular economy with examples of brands who are embracing the challenge.
Exploring how digital can influence sustainable behaviour change.
Providing an insight and perspective into sustainability, focusing on her native country, Italy.
MELANIE RAYMOND SNR MARKETING MANAGER
CLARE GOSLING MARKETING ASSISTANT
KELLY O'CONNOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER
ED BARBER INDUSTRIAL DESIGNER
Providing an overview of what's happening over the coming months.
Exploring global beauty and skincare giant; Lush's return scheme.
Investigating what's involved in Ecover's return and refill scheme.
Delving into the experience of refill packaging systems.
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Small acts, when multiplied by millions of people, can transform the world. - howard zin
FOREWoRD
Merle hall
Brands and Organisations are increasingly looking for new ways to be more sustainable. At Kinneir Dufort we fully advocate these efforts to protect our planet, which is why we’ve chosen this topic for our first edition of Focus. Sustainability is an area we as an agency strive to improve on and contribute where possible, from recycling and energy saving, to cycling or walking to work and of course, in the work we do with our clients. We believe design has the potential to act as a catalyst, improving sustainability and pushing boundaries, to make a significant difference in the future, for our planet and all who inhabit it. We hope you enjoy reading our collection of reviews and thoughts. We'd love to hear any feedback for future editions. Merle Hall Managing Director merle.hall@kinneirdufort.com
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CONTENTS
01 02 03
full circle How can business infrastructure change the game to drive business growth and protect the planet?
THE FINAL HURDLE Kinneir Dufort Case Study: Changing consumer behaviours through innovative packaging
cleaning up Reviewing schemes and experiences which encourage sustainable habits
04 05 06 07
There's an app for that How digital technology is enabling positive change
second life A Brand spotlight on those breathing new life into old unwanted products
Think Global What can we learn from other nations? Insight from Kinneir Dufort's international team
Industry 4.0 What good is it if the processes used in the creation or recreation of a product are so heavily unsustainable that it negates gains made by responsible design?
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maintain reuse refurbish recyle maintain reuse refurbish recyle maintain reuse refurbish recyle
Kelly dawson
CIRCULAR ECONOMY
FULL CIRCLE A snapshot on the Brands who are embracing circular economy to drive business growth and protect the planet.
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MAINTAIN
REUSE
https://atap.google.com/ARA/
MAINTAIN
www.mycleanpath.com
Kinneir Dufort - Revive
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REFURBISH & REMANUFACTURE
RECYCLE
https://hiutdenim.co.uk/
www.instantink.hpconnected.com
REFURBISH & REMANUFACTURE
REUSE
http://eu.patagonia.com/enGB/worn-wear
www.mycleanpath.com
TECHNICAL CYCLE
CIRCULAR ECONOMY
CIRCULAR ECONOMY
CLE CY RE
E US RE
M
SH BI R FU
FACTURE ANU EM R &
AIN NT AI
ECONOMY LAR CU CIR
RE
TECHNICAL CYCLE
LINEAR MODEL
RAW MATERIALS
MATERIALS & PARTS MANUFACTURE
PRODUCT MANUFACTURE
RETAIL
CONSUMER
LANDFILL
The linear take, make and dispose model of product creation no longer makes sense for the good of the planet, or for companies struggling with slim profit margins. If we as consumers and companies shift our mind-set and consider that each time something goes to landfill it is lost currency, we might see products differently, (as something that holds value, even when we’re done with it). This shift would move us from a linear model into a circular economy and could have a significantly positive impact.
A pioneering sector adopting reuse systems is the home cleaning category, by using concentration as an enabler for a circular economy. You – Naturally Powerful offer a mini concentrate pod of cleaning fluid that is diluted with water in a spray bottle to retain and reuse. CleanPath from Walmart have partnered with Replenish refills to offer a pod packaging system that is also diluted with water. Lastly, Splosh use both a pouch and capsule refill system to encourage consumers to continue to reuse their plastic bottles they started with.
We’re experiencing the impact of the post-industrial revolution, which propelled countries, companies and brands into unprecedented levels of wealth and success. Production lines that enabled products to be churned out faster, cheaper and more efficiently have peaked. We drastically need change, if we are to protect the planet. It is estimated that by 2050 the ratio of fish to plastic weight in the ocean will be 1:11.
REFURBISH & REMANUFACTURE – Products that can be reconditioned by the manufacturer and their lifetime extended.
So what is a circular economy? Consideration of the circulation of materials and goods that are manmade, that avoid reaching landfill or the ocean. Designing systems and products to recover resources and value, your consumer electronics, your packaging, your clothes, everything. If you could maintain, reuse, refurbish or recycle these items you would be making an enormous difference to the planet and businesses could be reaping the rewards of implementing new business infrastructure and services to get products and materials back. There are four main routes in the technical cycle for a circular economy:
MAINTAIN – Prolonging the lifetime by personally maintaining a product. Modular mobile phones are yet to truly dominate the mainstream. Google, LG, and PhoneBloks have tried it and Fairphone is entirely built on this principle. Instead of changing a handset every few years, you can easily repair it yourself when necessary. Simply swap the battery for optimum charge time, or change the camera module if there is a fault. In 2010 we here at KD (Kinneir Dufort) created a similar concept, Revive as the opportunity in this space was obvious. But is a modular, repairable mobile phone a value proposition that people really want? Can companies create a viable business case to enable us to do the right thing?
REUSE – When it runs out, you can reuse it. Consider packaging, for example the glass milk bottles that used to contain the milk you consumed every day. It’s not often we see glass bottles delivered to our doorsteps anymore. Once empty, bottles are rinsed, then collected from your doorstep and reused. Nothing new to those who used or still use this service. But imagine if all of your consumer packaged goods were designed to be durable, last longer and encouraged to be reused.
Hiut Denim make jeans, nothing else. They resurrected an old denim factory in Cardigan, Wales and offer a free repair service on Hiut jeans for life, so you don’t have to personally repair your damaged jeans. Hiut Denim are the antithesis of fast fashion, making high quality, long-lasting products and actively encouraging you to maximise the lifespan of your jeans. Patagonia have recently launched a new e-commerce take back service called Worn Wear, where they will offer you store credit for your unwanted Patagonia items and fix them up and sell to someone else. A bold step to extend clothing’s lifetime, building on their brand purpose.
RECYCLE – When you’re finished with the product, you return it or it’s reclaimed to be recycled (by the same manufacturer). More than two million people in six countries subscribe to HP’s Instant Ink. When running low on ink, an internet-connected printer notifies HP and a replacement cartridge is automatically delivered, along with a return envelope. Not only do HP provide a direct to consumer service for new products, but they are encouraging a direct from consumer approach to enable a circular economy. We need consumers, businesses and governments to think differently. With investment in new business infrastructure and services the benefits will pay dividends, both monetary and to our planet. Rather than take, make and dispose, let’s think about repair, reuse, refurbish and recycle. We need to look at new ways of connecting markets, consumers and resources. How might we consider new business models and call on digital technology to enable the revolution that is needed? With so many businesses still operating on a linear model, the challenge ahead will be for innovation focused product and system design in the drive towards closing the loop.
1. "The New Plastics Economy Rethinking The Future Of Plastics". World Economic Forum.
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encouraging sustainable
behaviour
28% REDUCED PLASTIC 100% Recyclable
Today, more than ever, utilising innovation within design is vital in achieving sustainability objectives. As a successful, popular and market-leading multi-national Corporation, and being responsible for a large usage of water, Coca-Cola European Partners (CCEP) has a strong agenda to engage in sustainability objectives. The multidisciplinary team at Kinneir Dufort recognised opportunities to reduce environmental impact across all aspects of product design and throughout each phase of the product lifecycle; from assembly, manufacturing and production, through the consumer’s use of the product, and finally to the disposal of the product after consumption. With a super-lightweight composition using 28% reduced plastic, the bottle requires less energy to make, less fuel to transport and less effort to recycle than previous designs, in turn increasing distribution efficiency. Furthermore, it is 100% recyclable. Linda Crichton, Head of Resource Management for the Waste and Resource Action Programme (WRAP) stated about the bottle: “Reducing material usage whilst ensuring the bottle remains recyclable is really important for resource efficiency.” The new design features arrows contouring in two opposite directions. Not only does this reflect the globally recognised recycling logo, comprising of circular arrows, its main aim is to guide consumers on twisting the bottles after use which dramatically reduces the size of the bottle. With sustainability on the agenda for most companies nowadays, this bottle paves the way for CCEP and others to lead their industries in utilising innovation and design to help look after our world and our people.
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KINNEIR DUFORT - CASE STUDY
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RETURN + REUSE SCHEMES REVIEW
cleaning up An investigation into schemes that encourage people to be more sustainable. How can we all make a difference and be rewarded for doing the right thing?
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Lush
LUSH have long been known to be the ‘go-to’ for sustainable, ethical skincare products. From the moment you enter the store, you are greeted with the beautiful aesthetics of the store layout design and a sense of product individuality similar to an organic farmer’s market fruit stall. Products are laid out; you pick your item and quantity – no waste.
But it's more than the products and store themselves, it's the staff. The company USP, the “Sparkle”, staff are in high supply; often enough for a one-to-one service. They have expert product knowledge and integrity, able to convey the benefits of LUSH to all consumers.
Buy-Five LUSH offer a buy-five-get-one free deal; whereby consumers will purchase five items packaged in black tubs, and upon returning these – used and empty – you receive a free face mask. Good deal? Well, yes if you shop at LUSH often… and if you like face masks! The store assistant informed me that the recycled tubs are recycled into the shopping baskets customers use in store, as well as new tubs, bags and pretty much anything you can think of! Quite resourceful. The buy-five deal is a clever incentive from LUSH, as the mask itself is packaged in the very same black pot, hence starting the cycle all over again.
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RETURN SCHEME REVIEW - clare gosling Brand Image Upon analysing the black tub, it is clear to see that the label showcases a variety of schemes run by LUSH, including: 1. 2. 3.
A message stating the recycled tub, A message and image of ‘no animal testing’. The logo and tagline, ‘made from 100% recycled plastic’.
All three on every tub produced adds to a pretty sustainable brand image. Furthermore, only a selection of products are packaged in these black tubs; there are a variety of alternatives such as bars which require no plastic at all. These can be traditional soaps, or even hair shampoos and conditioners. This innovative use of materials is a win-win situation. By creating a circular system of recycling, from the products they create, to how they package and encourage use, LUSH are utilising resources in a wise, environmentally friendly and sustainable way, whilst reducing costs, enhancing their brand image and driving customer loyalty.
Conclusion? We salute LUSH’s balance of consumer, business and environmental considerations. Now, time to try this face mask…
RETURN + REUSE SCHEMES REVIEW
Return
Reuse
Regrind*
*Plastic 12
"Ecover uses only raw materials that are fully degradable" www.ecover.com
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SCHEME + SYSTEM REVIEW RETURN + REUSE SCHEMES REVIEW
RETURN SCHEME REVIEW - kelly O'connor
ECOVER Perfectly situated on trendy North Street in Bristol is the health food paradise, Southville Deli. As well as being vegetarian, vegan and fitness-conscious friendly, this is a health food shop with a difference. Towards the back of the store, you stumble across what is known as an 'Eco-Refill Station.' These stations have large plastics vats akin to bulk-buy condiments and are labelled roughly with a Sharpie pen. During my visit to the deli, a very helpful member of staff offered to help me refill if needed. Alternatively, I could do it myself and use the sink out the back if I needed to wash my hands after; apparently, it can get quite messy! I was already interested in Ecover as a brand due to their core values; honesty, integrity and transparency. They are strongly against animal testing and concentrate on making environmentally friendly products in eco-friendly packaging. However, I've only just recently found out about the eco-refill scheme. When tried and tested, the liquid was gentle on sensitive skin and contained less pollutants than many other washing liquids. It’s also better for the environment. However, from a consumer’s point of view, I would have to return to the same shop again to purchase my washing liquid; which isn’t exactly convenient for the weekly shop. Perhaps, integration into mainstream supermarkets would be more ideal? In summary? Bring it mainstream and I am IN!
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Re-Filling
'YOU' SYSTEM REVIEW - ED BARBER
First impressions It wasn’t obvious that the product was pre-mixed in the bottle, my assumption was that the bottle contained just water, after opening the bottle, smelling the product and doing a test spray, I realised it was! Nowhere on the bottle does it say this. The individual system elements however felt quite generic. The bottle looks like an ‘off the shelf’ structure, with a standard trigger spray. The concentrated ‘shots’ look interesting, and for me this creates the point of difference. However, the way they are packaged doesn’t feel premium. I’m not sure why they are sold individually? The graphics look fresh and clean, the use of bright green also helps convey the eco credentials.
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The system easily communicated that the refill shot needed to screw onto the refilled bottle, no need for instructions at this point. When refilling the bottle there was no indication of how much water was needed. The bottle opening is quite narrow, making the pack tricky to refill. Quite a lot of force was required to pierce the refill shot, however once the seal had been broken, it screwed on to the bottle easily. After shaking the bottle to mix the refill concentrate a lot of foam was created inside the bottle, if you remove the shot straight away this can create a mess. Refitting the trigger spray was straight forward, and once done, the product worked just as well as the first time use.
RETURN + REUSE SCHEMES REVIEW
HIGHS The trigger spray, although looking quite generic, felt pretty sturdy, I would feel confident using this for a prolonged period of time. The scent of the cleaner is pleasant, it doesn’t smell like I would expect a conventional cleaner to. The cleaner worked well, no smears or residue after use, it didn't feel too chemical. Although the bottle structure felt generic, the fresh looking graphics meant that I didn’t store it in a cupboard; I left it on show by the sink. The refill element felt like a novelty, fun to do.
LOWS There seems to be a lot of unscrewing and screwing needed to refill the bottle (four times). If the refill shots were a solid format which dissolved, they would create zero waste and reduce the amount of unscrewing and screwing to two times! Although much smaller there is still an amount of waste created from the refill shot. The plastic also felt quite thick. Obvious pieces of information such as ‘the pack comes prefilled’ and ‘refill to here’ are missing from the label. The structure could be optimised to make refilling more obvious and intuitive.
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tha t for app an re’ s the 17
DIGITAL REVIEW - PHIL JENKINS
DIGITAL DESIGN
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The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs in Action) The UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development was unanimously adopted by world leaders in 2015. A core part of this initiative are the 17 Sustainable Development Goals which are key objectives covering a range of social, economic and environmental issues. The intent is that by aligning national priorities with The SDGs, various stakeholders can take action at a local level to help achieve these objectives. The SDGs in Action app is a smartphone app designed to promote awareness of The SDGs, and help people to get involved in actions to support the various goals.
The app is a great way to find out about The SDGs and the call to action makes it easy to get involved in the huge variety of activities that contribute to achieving the goals. The big challenge with a topic like this is how to make individuals feel like they can make a difference without being overwhelmed by the enormity of the goals. It is easy to assume that individuals cannot possibly affect such huge global challenges. By focussing on specific, local and manageable actions, people can feel that they can make a difference as an individual and collectively contribute to achieving a truly sustainable future.
While the promise of smart meters is that we can all reduce our energy usage through understanding how and when we are using electricity, it turns out that tracking data is only part of the solution. An experiment conducted by psychologist Robert Cialdini in California revealed that people were far more incentivised to reduce their energy consumption if they believed their neighbours were doing it. Incentives based on saving money or helping the environment were actually less effective. Behavioural psychologists refer to this type of incentive as ‘normative messaging’. Humans are highly susceptible to herd-like behaviour. This is likely an evolutionary by-product where following the behaviour of the majority leads to the highest chances of group acceptance and survival. Opower is a B2B service that works with over 100 global utilities companies providing data and tools to help their clients’ customers understand and reduce their energy usage. One of the key elements is based on the research of Cialdini and actually provides a neighbour ranking feature delivered via a digital home energy report that compares a customer’s energy usage to that of their neighbours. A good ranking is reinforced through the use of smiley icons. This is a type of social gamification. Even though a user is not directly competing with their neighbours on an individual basis, the desire to improve one’s ranking and the sense of pride and satisfaction that comes from that provides an emotional reward. Ultimately, it is those emotional connections that really engage consumers.
The app itself is necessarily information-heavy, however it is quite accessible in terms of finding out about the 17 SDGs providing a range of text, image and video content. 'The Goals' section of the app provides an easily navigable selector for the various goals where the user can drill down and find out more about them. 'The Facts and Figures' sections in particular make rather sobering reading. However the app also provides guidance on what we as individuals can do to support each of the goals. The core feature of the app is the 'Actions' section. This allows anybody to create an action or join other people’s actions. An action can be as simple as pledging to use public transport one day a week or can be more involved such as setting up a local recycling scheme or teaching children about gender equality. It is easy to search and filter actions to find those that are linked to your preferred goals and near your location.
Oracle Opower
Opower claims its technology has helped save over 11 billion kWh of energy, 13 billion lbs of CO2 and over $1 billion in reduced bills. Clearly the power of combined UX design and psychology makes for a compelling tool in the pursuit of behaviour change.
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Recycling Barcode Scanner This is an interesting conceptual ‘maker’ project that envisages a tool to help consumers determine whether packaging can be recycled. By scanning the product’s barcode the device simply indicates via LEDs whether the packaging can be recycled or not. This is a nice concept and one can imagine how the idea could be extended to a digital tool where the user can scan barcodes with their smartphone camera. A great application for a tool like this is enabling recycling of multi part product packaging. A good example is baby food pouches. The foil pouches are often not accepted by recycling services as they are multi layered materials, yet the plastic caps are recyclable. How many of the plastic caps are placed in landfill because they are attached to a non-recyclable part? With such a tool, the user could simply scan the product barcode and see a breakdown of which parts of the packaging are recyclable and maybe even some instruction on how to separate the parts. Of course, such a tool would be completely reliant on the quality of the database to which it is attached. The big challenge is to align material information from pack manufacturers with product barcodes and compile this in an accessible database. How can we incentivise stakeholders in the product supply chains to contribute to such a project?
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SECOND LIFE second life second life
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BRAND SPOTLIGHT
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f cus
“Brewed with fresh, surplus bread that would otherwise be wasted� www.toastale.com
On a mission to tackle food waste, Toast Ale piloted an initiative with Hackney brewery last year to take surplus bread and use it as a key ingredient for their beer. With a short shelf life, they take unsold bread and give it a second life, with each bottle containing at least one slice of bread. They are now linking with other businesses such as sandwich makers to transform their waste into beer. Since the pilot they have partnered with Yorkshire brewery, Hambleton Ales to produce on scale since their demand has grown. It is estimated that over fifteen months, the team have managed to find an alternative use for 3.6 tons of bread that otherwise would have been thrown away. Toast Ale is the UK’s first ever bread to beer ale. Tristram Stuart, the brains behind the operation, has been campaigning against food waste for fifteen years. More recently he has taken the idea to New York where he is working with Chelsea Craft Brewing Company in the Bronx. The beauty of this initiative is that it takes a global problem and has created an innovative solution that tastes great. Cheers!
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BRAND SPOTLIGHT
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THINK global
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CULTURAL INSIGHT
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Italy Where are you from?
I am originally from Northern Italy – where my family lives. I had itchy feet when I was young and lived in Tokyo and Paris before settling in the UK 9 years ago. What are sustainability perspectives or attitudes like in your homeland? We are not the most attentive within Europe, but over the last few years we have developed a modern and pragmatic attitude towards sustainable consumption and are willing to pay for more virtuous behaviours. Directing purchases to products that are identified as guarantors of eco-friendly attitudes has become key and retailing solutions are reflecting this shift of attitude. Are there any initiatives that you think are driving sustainable behaviour?
Nowadays there are a lot of options to refill, re-use and buy in bulk. From water dispensing machines (provided by the council) and dispensing units for washing up liquids (in stores), to distributors for dairy and even cheeses. Retailers are very conscious of new consumer attitudes so buying in bulk or in big portions has become the norm. From buying full crates of fruits to rice sold in bags, there is a big push to reduce the amount of packaging used in homes. Especially in light of the strict rules around recycling and amounts allowed for each household. Also, worth mentioning, Italians shop often at markets, where fresh produce is sold directly from the producers, thus limiting the use of secondary packs. Lastly, in 2013 a ban on non-biodegradable plastic bags was approved – a massive behavioural change but a very effective one too. What product or initiative stands out in the UK that is a good example of sustainability by design? (e.g. reusable bags, refillable products, eco-products, recycling in general) Perhaps one of the best corporate sustainability initiatives in the UK is the one ran by Marks and Spencer with the launch of Plan A in 2007. With the ultimate goal of becoming the world's most sustainable major retailer, Plan A set out to address three global challenges: the increasing pressure on finite resources, rising social inequality, and the need for healthier, more sustainable lifestyles. On 1 January 2012 all M&S operated stores, offices, warehouses and delivery fleets in the UK and Republic of Ireland became carbon neutral. As part of this commitment, M&S unveiled its 'sustainable suit' – a suit made from organic wool traceable back to the farms where it was produced, and the lining made from recycled plastic bottles. What do you think we could all do more of in an effort to be more sustainable? I am always amazed when stores shrink wrap individual units of fruits and vegetables. As consumers, we have an incredible power to change retailers attitudes towards packaging. So, when possible, we should all choose to purchase the most sustainable option. Two aubergines do not need to come in a secondary pack!
ELENA MASSUCCO 25
l i f e r t n e g r dete
CULTURAL INSIGHT
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milk refill station
Rice Sacks
water
refill
statio
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INDUSTRY
4.0
INDUSTRY 1.0
INDUSTRY 2.0
Mechanical production. Equipment powered by steam and water
Mass production assembly lines requiring labour & electrical energy
What good is it if processes used in the creation or recreation of a product are so heavily unsustainable that it negates the gains made by responsible design? We have all heard the debates around electric vehicles, with some claiming that the environmental impact of battery production far outweighs the benefit gained over the lifetime of the vehicle. Sustainability in the product life cycle must include manufacture. There is a revolution coming - Industry 4.0 and the rise of the smart factory and smart supply chain. Since the dawn of the industrial revolution, we have been designing machines to make the manufacturing process faster and more efficient. But that speed and efficiency has tended to centre around reducing workforce, increasing throughput and improving quality, with little regard to environmental impact such as power usage, noise and pollution. This is set to change as the Internet of Things (IoT) meets manufacturing. If you close your eyes and visualise your concept of a traditional factory, you may well see a shop floor filled with noisy, oily machines hammering away and each contributing to the symphony of batch production. You will likely imagine a few human operatives, each responsible for keeping several of these machines in constant use – fed with the raw materials they need and programmed for a bulk run of a specific component. You may even imagine the maintenance staff, working on one of these dormant leviathans as demanded by the maintenance schedule. There are a number of problems with this model. The machines are unlikely to have been designed to be energy efficient. Each machine is probably dedicated to performing one function which means that re-configuring the factory to make something different (or a new model) could take days if not weeks. The machines operate independently so it is down to the human operators to stop the entire line if there is a problem with one machine. There is little thought given to the flow of material – if there is enough in the stores to feed the machines then that is good enough. And the maintenance staff working to a fixed schedule will spend time, effort and money on machines that are running perfectly well. Worse, the machines could be running with an undiagnosed problem, leading to faulty or out-of-tolerance parts that directly affect the performance of the finished goods. This is not the type of factory in which we would want or need our sustainable designs to be built.
INDUSTRY 3.0
INDUSTRY 4.0
Automated production using electronics & IT
Intelligent production incorporated with IoT, cloud tech & big data
In contrast with the model above, the smart factory is the epitome of efficiency and companies such as Bosch, Siemens, Wind River, Seiki Systems and Schneider (amongst others) are seeking to make it a reality. Machines will no longer be dedicated to one task. Advances in robotics and 3D printing will enable them to re-configure on the fly to adapt to changes in demand. They will be highly networked and highly monitored with a plethora of sensors – interconnected and sharing data in real-time. So close your eyes again and imagine this alternative vision of the future. The factory is clean. Machines whir quietly. There is a poetry in the movement of materials and parts throughout the shop floor as conveyors automatically divert the necessary components to their destinations. There is a fault on one conveyor or machine, and within seconds, materials are re-routed to other machines that take up the workload and re-configure themselves accordingly, until an operator can clear the problem, production does not stop. Intelligent machines monitor and adjust themselves for optimum performance and only call on the service team when necessary. Deep analytics optimise every aspect of operations and even predict failure. Quality rises to astonishing levels (such as 15 defects per million and 99% reliability as demonstrated by the Siemens Amberg Plant). The factory can handle massive throughput, built-to-order customisations and takes product updates in its stride. But the monitoring and connectivity extends beyond the machines. The entire factory environment is part of the system. Light, heating, and air quality is optimised constantly to further reduce environmental impact and maximise human performance. Sensors track operator movements and augmented reality (AR) systems built into safety goggles show real-time performance data and safety information to the wearer. And beyond this, material demand enters the supply chain where detailed asset tracking and route optimisation further reduces the carbon footprint. The face of industry and manufacturing is indeed changing to meet the sustainability needs of brands and businesses across the globe. The technologies involved will allow local, smaller scale and adaptive manufacturing to tap into the same smart ecosystem and this could prove to be highly disruptive. It’s exciting times for the Industry 4.0, for the technologies that support it and, of course, for the software and digital systems that bring it all together.
At KD we are passionate about the application and development of sensors and connected technology, and the backbone of Industry 4.0 is just that.
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WHAT ARE WE UP TO?
It’s our birthday! Kinneir Dufort turned 40 on 3rd May 2017. The team are looking forward to a programme of events and celebrations throughout the coming year.
YEAR
Kerning the Gap comes to the South West At the start of May Kinneir Dufort & West of England Design Forum came together to launch the national roll out of Kerning the Gap. Merle Hall will be taking on a lead mentoring role in creating a network that encourages more women into design leadership roles. Find out more at www.kerningthegap.com
Footprint Award winner 2017 We are delighted to announce that Kinneir Dufort has received the prestigious Innovation in Packaging Award at the Footprint 2017 Awards, in partnership with Coca-Cola European Partners (CCEP) for the design of the new “Twist” water bottle.
New head of design Say hello to our new Head of Design, Russell Beard. Russell will be supporting the growth and development of our integrated design offer, and his appointment underlines our desire to continue to develop Kinneir Dufort as a leading global consultancy.
RSA STUDENT DESIGN AWARDS We are delighted to announce the winner of the ‘Wearing Intelligence’ brief for the RSA Student Design Awards 2017. Michael Soper, University of the West of England who wins the prize of a paid placement at Kinneir Dufort. For more information about the awards visit: www.kinneirdufort.com/news
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Coming up‌ Big Bang Fair, Bristol 6th - 7th July
The Big Bang UK Scientists and Engineers Fair is the largest celebration of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) for young people in the UK. Kinneir Dufort will be supporting Bristol's first ever 'Big Bang' this year by staging an engaging and interactive stand to the floor to help create thought provoking ideas in young students attending. www.thebigbangfair.co.uk
Unbound London 19th - 20th July
Unbound festivals are a global series of events that celebrate innovation, connecting brands and corporates with disruptive technology, products and services, in order to fuel their innovation and growth. www.unbound.live
The Design Museum 28th June - 24th Sept
Breathing Colour is an installation-based exhibition that takes a deeper look at the way colour behaves, exploring shapes, materials, shadows and reflections. www.designmuseum.org /exhibitions/future-exhibitions
London Design Festival 16th - 24th Sept
From the V&A Museum to Somerset House, there will be a vast array of opportunities to visit events and exhibitions spread across London. www.londondesignfestival.com/
hello@kinneirdufort.com 0117 901 4000