Scottish product design company reveals plans for £2m centre of excellence
11 January 2012
One of Scotland’s most dynamic design companies plan to expand their operations with the creation of a new £2 million world class product design centre that could be built in Scotland by 2013.
Meso Design, based in Inchinnan, Renfrewshire, hopes to build the new centre, ideally in the west of Scotland, within the next 12 months as it embarks on a major expansion and the launch of its own range of products.
John Swinney MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth, visited the award winning firm at their Renfrewshire HQ today.
Mr Swinney said: “Meso is a great example of a growing company that is showcasing Scottish innovation and design, to international recognition and acclaim.
“This Government is focussed on promoting a culture of entrepreneurship and our enterprise agencies are working hard to support growing businesses like Meso, and to retain Scotland's position as the most supportive environment for business in the UK.
“Meso has established an impressive portfolio of work and clients since establishing in 2008. I wish the company the best of luck as they build on their success and take forward ambitions plans to expand their operations.”
The company has enjoyed rapid growth since it was formed in 2008 by three product design graduates from Glasgow School of Art, Danny Kane, Gregor Aikman and Craig Lynn.
Since its launch, the company – which beat Rolls Royce to win the 2011 ROCCO Award for Innovation and Technology – has worked on more than 50 projects for clients – from entrepreneurs to multinationals – across a range of sectors, including food and drink, toys, consumer electronics, packaging, industrial equipment, medicine and transport.
Its growing client list includes SECC, Glasgow School of Art, Whyte and Mackay, Teknek, Thales, Glidetrack, Beep Industries and Maxxium.
Its latest collaborations including smartphone accessory Popa, which transforms the iPhone into an instant camera and sparked interest from Hollywood star Tom Hanks, and mobislyder, a portable consumer camera slider that allows amateur film makers to produce steady, sweeping shots, using their smartphone or digital camera to recreate the cinematic feel of big budget movies.
Now the company aims to design, build and market its own range of products, and establish a new £2 million centre for product design and innovation, possibly as early as next year.
The proposed innovation hub would combine Meso’s design, engineering and manufacturing processes under one roof, and provide education and conference facilities for the design sector.
Meso bosses hope the new centre will support a new generation of inventors, and ultimately boost Scotland’s export potential.
Meso Director Danny Kane said: “We want to create a facility where inventors can share their ideas, where students can learn new skills and where Scotland’s passion and ingenuity for design and innovation is given space to flourish. We have a fantastic track record of design and innovation in Scotland.”
Stephen Mitchell, managing director of Meso’s parent company, M2H Industries, added: “We are very excited about the potential of this proposed product design and innovation centre. It will help establish Scotland as a centre of excellence in this fast growing field and support a new generation of inventors and product designers, ultimately with the aim of growing Scotland’s export market.”
He added: “We are currently examining possible sites, including the west of Scotland, and are in discussion with public sector partners regarding funding. We believe this project would be good for Scottish manufacturing and jobs, and help put Scotland on the map as a centre of excellence for product design.”
During the visit by John Swinney, directors Danny Kane and Craig Lynn also outlined a new direction for the company as it designs and builds its own range of products. Until now, the company has largely focussed on collaborating with clients.
Craig Lynn explained: “We have worked with some truly inspirational clients, from lone entrepreneurs to multi-national corporations, across a diverse range of sectors. Although we will continue to deliver design solutions for new and existing clients, we also want to make to leap to designing and manufacturing our own products, harnessing the skills and creativity of our in house team. It’s an exciting new direction for Meso.”
Among the projects under development include:
- Weight angel – a device which measures the weight of commercial vehicles, using an entirely new form of smart floor technology which could reduce costs for the haulage sector
- Floline knot fishing tool – a lightweight, easy to use device which allows anglers to tie fishing knots with ease
- Vivvy reptile home - an aquarium for reptiles which is sparking interest from zoos and pet stores
The firm is also expanding into new markets, including renewable energy, and is currently working on a project to bring a new vertical wind turbine to market.
Danny Kane added: “We have enjoyed rapid growth since we establish Meso as young graduates and we are really excited about the future. With a growing list of UK and international clients, and a new range of Meso projects under development, we are on course to enjoy our best year ever in 2012.”
Notes for the Editor
Meso Design is part of M2H Industries (formerly the TH Group), which also comprises Coughtrie, a commercial lighting manufacturer formed more than 70 years ago and based in Glasgow, Metallo, a leading CNC machine specialist based in Blantyre and serving the defence, aerospace and telecommunications markets, and business improvement specialists Keizai, based in Kent but with operations across the UK.
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Donald Morrison, 0141 848 6627/ 07915853129
