Contact Information: Media Relations LoggerHead Tools P.O. Box 83 Palos Park IL 60464 1 888 564-4374 Dan Brown LoggerHead Tools P.O. Box 83 Palos Park IL 60464 1 888 564-4374 ext. 213
LoggerHead Tools -- Bionic Wrench(TM) Receives 2008 IF Universal Design Award in Germany, Only One American Manufactured Product Receives Award
Universal Design Sets New Standard -- Good Design Is Not Good Enough Anymore
| Source: LoggerHead Tools
CHICAGO, IL--(Marketwire - April 3, 2008) - LoggerHead Tools has received an IF
(International Forum Design GmbH) Universal Design Award for its Bionic
Wrench product line, a new class of adjustable ergonomic wrenches, with a
patented mechanically efficient mechanism, that distribute force equally
around a nut or bolt. This is the only product manufactured in America to
receive a 2008 IF Universal Design Award. Since its launch in May of
2005, LoggerHead has received a total of 12 other international new product
design awards for the Bionic Wrench and its other inventive product lines.
The Universal Design Award is the first competition to focus on the
principles of universal design exclusively, striving beyond the traditional
attributes of form and function normally associated with award winning
product design. As stated by Prof. Walter Herbst of Northwestern's Masters
in Product Development (MPD) Program in a recent article in Fast Company
magazine, "Good design is not good enough anymore."
The IF (International Forum Design GmbH) principles of universal design
include; Equitable use -- the product is accessible to the broadest
possible customer spectrum, Flexible use -- the product swiftly adapts to
new demand criteria, Ease and intuitive use -- the product stands out for
its intuitive operation and ease of use, Error tolerance and Safety -- the
product exhibits reliability, confidence on the part of the user and safety
in every respect, Economic feasibility -- the product is innovative,
feasible, and has market potential and capability. Universal design
aspires beyond simple form and function to achieve the highest level of
usability by all people.
The award winners were dominated by Asian and European companies, but three
US Companies also received awards; Apple, Inc., Cupertino, CA, OXO
International, New York, NY and LoggerHead Tools, Chicago, IL with the
Bionic Wrench being the only awarded product to be both designed and
manufactured in the United States. Dan Brown designer and inventor of the
Bionic Wrench commented, "I am honored to receive this award. I believe
the principles of universal and sustainable design are the foundation of
future products. I am proud that we can continue to maintain our growth
strategy as an American-made product in this hyper-competitive
marketplace."
LoggerHead Receives 3 Plant Engineering 2007 Product of the Year Awards
LoggerHead Tools also recently received three Readers Choice Awards from
Plant Engineering for Product of the Year, for its Bionic Wrench, Bionic
Grip and Bit Dr.® product lines. These awards are unique in that they are
voted on by the readers of Plant Engineering magazine. "The Plant
Engineering Product of the Year Awards are the premier honor for new
products in the manufacturing industry today," said Bob Vavra, editor of
Plant Engineering. "We are very excited about the caliber of products that
were entered in the competition and believe that some great solutions have
been recognized for their excellence in the industry."
Aspiring Beyond the Form and Function Paradigm
"The best products provide a satisfying customer experience, are simple to
understand and have a universal distinction," said LoggerHead Tools
President Dan Brown. "These awards validate our mission to distinguish our
products leveraging the principles of universal and sustainable design.
Our design strategy is to aspire beyond the typical form and function
paradigm and create a unique problem-solving user experience." Brown added
that product differentiation plays a fundamental role in the company's
philosophy of developing and manufacturing its products in the United
States. Brown said, "Competing with low cost imported products is
impossible without a competitive advantage; unique products and the
customer capturing experiences they provide are the only opportunity to
compete in the global marketplace with an American-made product."
Simple, Intuitive Products Appeal to People of All Abilities
With a reputation for innovation earned in a very short time, LoggerHead
Tools' patented and award winning product lines include the Bionic Wrench,
Bionic Grip, Bit Dr® and ImmiX® universal multi-tool. Each product has a
simple, intuitive, universal appeal that is easy to use for people of all
abilities. "Our products are very unique, I never get tired of
demonstrating them because I am always rewarded with that momentary
expression of astonishment when someone sees one of our products for the
first time," says Brown. The Bionic Wrench automatically adjusts to fit
multiple sizes of fasteners with the simple squeeze of a hand. The Bionic
Grip has an open wrench head and internal linter-locking mechanism. The
Bit Dr®, the world's only 21 in 1 screw driving system combines
unparalleled functionality in the size of a large pocket knife. Popular
Mechanics said of the Bit Dr®, "A brilliant sequel to the screwdriver, the
Bit Dr® offers more functionality than any other self-contained
screwdriver system in the world." The ImmiX®, a novel "out of the box"
approach to multi-tools, delivers the functionality of up to 34 full-sized
tools in a
6-inch, 8-ounce package. The ImmiX® multi-tool combines a 6-inch Bionic
Wrench with an integral pistol grip screwdriver, 10 bits, and two knife
blades.
LoggerHead Tools products are available directly through LoggerHead Tools
(www.loggerheadtools.com and 1-888-LOGGERHEAD), through specialty catalogs
and in retail stores.
About LoggerHead Tools
LoggerHead Tools LLC designs, develops and commercializes inventive,
new-to-the-world tools manufactured in the United States. The company's
mission is to create problem-solving innovations that provide enhanced
value to its customers based on patented creative sustainable competitive
advantages.
About Dan Brown
Dan Brown founded LoggerHead Tools in 2005 to commercialize the Bionic
Wrench. As an active Inventor, entrepreneur and product development
consultant over the past 25 years, Dan has earned over 30 US Utility
Patents, and numerous Foreign Patents for a wide range of commercial
products and clients. Dan has a Masters Degree in Product Development
(MPD) from Northwestern University in Evanston, IL, and currently is an
Adjunct Associate Professor at Northwestern, teaching "Differentiation by
Design" in the Engineering, Design and Innovation (EDI) Masters Degree
program at the Segal Design Institute in Northwestern's McCormick School of
Engineering.
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