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Product Magazines: Product Trends |
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Around the world, laws are becoming increasingly though on car drivers who exceed the legal limits for blood/alcohol content.
This explains the growing demand for products such as Automatic Mfg Ltd's Alcohol Breath Computer. As marketing manager Cliff Chan observes, "Many people like to drink, so before they drive a car it would be best if they test their alcohol level first."
The Alcohol Breath Computer uses delicate electronic sensors to measure the quantity of alcohol on a driver's breath. Results are then indicated on a digital display, warning him if it is not safe to drive. All that is required of the driver is that he exhales for 10 seconds into the unit's retractable mouthpiece.
The smart and compact Alcohol Breath Computer comes with its own leather pouch and can be carried in a jacket, briefcase or handbag. This product is most popular in France, Germany and Eastern Europe, according to Chan. European countries generally have on of two standards for acceptable levels of alcohol on a person's breath. For France and Germany the regulation limit 0.07-0.08%, but for Scandinavian countries, as well as Australia and Japan, and there is a heightened specification of 0.5%.
To meet markets' different requirements, Automatic Mfg is producing two models: the AML 802 B5 for the 0.5% standard and the AML 802 B8 for the 0.08% standard. Both have an FOB Hong Kong price of US$18.
"Right now, it's very saleable, especially in mail order catalogues," Chan says. "The minimum order is 1,000 units, but we will usually accept a trial order of 500."
The Alcohol Breath Computer is sold under the company's own Automan brand, and logo services can be arranged for orders in excess of 5,000 units. It runs on six AA-sized 1.5V batteries, but also comes with an optional DC cable to connect with a car cigarette lighter.
"So, when a person leaves a bar all he has to do is check his alcohol level with our device," recommends Chan." And if it exceeds the limit, he'd better take a taxi."
Written by Neil Taylor
The Plastic Trendy CD Rack from Pan-World Exporters is an innovative CD-storage system that can accommodate up to 80 discs. As merchandising manager Gordon Cheng points out, "This product is much more than just a functional CD rack; it is, in effect a do-it-yourself kit. Not only that, it is a stylish puzzle as well."
At first glance, it actually looks like a jigsaw puzzle since its dominant feature is a series of giant plastic jigsaw-like pieces. These are held together by aluminium rods upon which sets of clear plastic cases (for CD insertion) are attached. The flexibility of these plastic sections enables the user to extract a CD from any angle, in addition to providing a means of CD display. Sixteen rollers affixed to the rack's base provide the system's mobility. all parts are made from ABS.
In fact, the whole thing is so easy to put together that children can have lots of fun with it too. and, contrary to its name, Trendy, which would normally indicate a short-lived survival if the vagaries of fashion are anything to go by, Cheng says, "If you become bored, you can change the design to suit your own particular taste or style."
It can be set up both vertically and horizontally and further units can be built on as required. Available colours are baby blue/off-white, pink/off-white, black and red.
The minimum order is 5,800 sets with smaller quantities requiring a surcharge. Since the rack is in the form of a do-it-yourself kit, the product can be easily transported minimzing the costs of sea-fright. Delivery is within 45 days after receipt of an L/C.
Pan-World's markets are currently the US and Germany, but the product is also available locally in Hong Kong.
Written by Karen Roberts
Guaranteed to get you there on time is Opulent Corp Ltd's new atomic clock. Few people are aware that time can be measured in several different ways,, the most effective of which is through the Cesium Atomic Beam Oscillator frequency. Simply stated, this frequency is broadcast from a central station in Frankfurt, Germany, using microprocessor technology. The time can be transmitted anywhere in the world capable of receiving the signal and is accurate to within a fraction of a miscrosecond.
Managing director K C Lo explains that "Opulent has applied the microprocessor solution to receive, then interpret, the DCF 77 station's broadcasting signal. Users receive the read-out on their clock radio LED, giving them a very accurate, convenient and simple in-house atomic time."
Meeting international safety standards,, the atomic clock sells under the brand name Opulent. It uses a standard household AC outlet plug and, according to Lo, "has only been on sale in Europe so far." The year-old company intends extending its market to the US and Asia, says Lo, who comments that "Asians like to buy new, innovative things and we expect great interest."
So far, business is doing very well, reports Lo, who says the company also manufactures telecommunications and standard audio products. Lo believes that what makes the Opalent different from other atomic clocks is that "ours expresses the simplicity of the clock. It is superior because the technical parts are inside."
The company will manufacture the products on an OEM basis and Lo says he expects "50% of business to come from major OEM customers." Delivery of a minimum order of 2,000 units takes 60 days at a price of US$25 FOB Hong Kong per unit.
Written by Steve Clay
Appearances can be deceptive, so the saying goes. It is certainly true in the case of Faith Trimming Co's IWEI Multi Power Supply, which is shining brightly at the cutting edge of battery technology despite its ordinary-looking torch-like exterior.
When a vehicle fairs to start, this powerful little unit will get it turning over again thanks to this car battery rescue facility. After connecting the positive and negative terminals of the dormant car battery to the Multi Power Supply and waiting for between one and three minutes for the device to charge the cells, the ignition key will do the rest.
The Multi Power Supply offers a unique rechargeable battery system that is far more efficient than that of ordinary rechargeable batteries. It will recharge fully in 1.2 hours when plugged into the mains. In addition, it is very easy to transport with dimensions of 219x100x65mm and a weight of 1.05kg.
The device provides eight adjustable voltage outputs, making it suitable for use with everything form radios and cameras to cellular phones, PCs and TVs. A 12V, 0.6W cellular phone used in conjunction with the Multi Power Supply will run for 30 hours, while a 7.5V 7W video camera can be used for three hours. With safety in mind, the unit also boasts short-circuit and smart IC overload devices. When used as a flashlight, its third function, up to six of illumination are provided on a fully charged battery. A radiance adjustment is built in.
"Our team of designers took six months to come up with the Multi Power Supply," says Faith Trimming Co's managing director, Johnny Ngan. "We introduced it in April 1994. Our main export markets are Europe, particularly the UK and Italy, and the US." Ngan hopes that by the end of 1994, the device will be selling in the PRC. "At the moment we are making good progress in this department," he indicates. "Our company is considering a number of different avenues through which to enter the Chinese market."
Faith Trimming Co's factory has a monthly output of 20,000 units, which sell for HK$220 each FOB Hong Kong.
Written by Dale Hudson
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