Case Studies
Martin Lewis Jewellery Ltd
Company Information
Martin Lewis Jewellery Ltd is a family owned jewellery manufacturing company who principally use traditional manufacturing methods. The company employs a small but highly skilled workforce, and the majority of production is carried out in house. Existing customer requirements are met by the company's ability to adapt and maintain competitiveness in their particular market area.
With no dedicated in house design capability, the company faced difficulties in initiating new designs and product development. Well aware of developments within the industry and the importance of new product development for long term business growth, Martin approached the JIIC to access help in growing the company and maintaining a strong market position.
Brief
The initial brief was for the JIIC design team to interpret the client's own ideas and conduct product and market research, which would influence their product range and identify trends for future production and trade shows.
JIIC helped them by providing design, CAD, rapid prototyping technologies and other CAM facilities. The design team assisted interpreting ideas and research. The company was then further assisted through an MAS consultancy, delivered by the JIIC, which helped them identify appropriate new manufacturing methods to be used alongside traditional methods.
Impact
- The JIIC designed a range of new products for the company's stand at The Spring Fair NEC 2007.
- The assistance given included up to date advice on the latest appropriate technology for the company.
- CAD/CAM, (rapid prototyping technologies) of models helped to set a benchmark for the CAD production of other designs which have subsequently gone into production.
- Martin Lewis are now investing in CAD for product design and production.
JIIC helped Martin Lewis Jewellery Ltd develop CAD/CAM knowledge and skills and appreciate the value of its use in new product development. This resulted in the company exploring the potential of employees becoming CAD users, and evaluating which CAD programme is most suitable for their products. Through their relationship with the JIIC the company has stayed in contact with up to the minute industry developments and assured both clients and employees of their desire to be acknowledged as investing in the company's future.