66
Volume 3–Issue 3 M ay /J u n e 2 0 1 9
Primer | SOUTHCO
Safeguarding the Success of Industrial Products David Kelly, Regional Product Manager, Southco, Inc. presents five principles that manufacturing business can adopt to safeguard against industrial challenges
G
lobalization, new technologies and evolving customer preferences have increased pressure on manufacturing businesses worldwide to develop better quality products, with more distinctive features, at a competitive price and born out of cutting edge technology.1 Such complex market dynamics present manufacturing businesses with the challenge of successfully fulfilling these demands while at the same time providing opportunities for differentiation, market leadership and ultimately, business growth. Regardless of industry or product, manufacturing businesses can safeguard against industrial challenges and flourish in a competitive environment by adopting the following five transferable principles.
Competing through differentiated design Differentiation through industrial design is no longer regarded as a product development feature exclusive to high-end industries. Whether manufacturing industrial equipment, heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) products or luxury furniture, the end user will evaluate the quality and value of the product through its design. As markets become increasingly focused on product features that are more intuitive in nature, streamlined equipment design can provide a greater competitive advantage. Aesthetics and ergonomics for instance, may not naturally stand out as key design considerations for developing industrial equipment, but in many applications, they strongly influence hardware selection.
