|
|
|
Product Magazines: Product Trends |
|
The days of 'no pain, no gain' and costly shaping creams are nearly over with the introduction of Brandt Advanced Electronics' Bodi-Tek Facial and Bodi-Tek Enhancer.
Designed in New Zealand, both these electronic muscle stimulation (EMS) machines emit low-voltage electrical pulses through the skin to improve muscle tone and aid the removal of waste products from the muscles. The Bodi-Tek Facial is specifically for the delicate muscles of the face and neck, whilst the Enhancer tackles other body spots.
The Bodi-Tek Facial lifts and tones face muscles helping reduce double chins by gently exercising and tightening muscles that are rarely used. the Bodi-Tek Enhancer, on the other hand, exercises muscles throughout the body; warming them up, increasing blood circulation and removing lactic acid and other by-products of muscle exertion.
In addition to its cosmetic value, the Enhancer can be used as an athletic training aid and can provide relief for a variety of medical conditions and muscle problems.
Jurgen Thorwirth, director of Westmain Ltd, Bodi-Tek's manufacturer in Hong Kong, reports strong sales in New Zealand and an increasing market in the US and Europe. "Most compatible products on the market are really a massager, but ours are medically based," he explains.
Thorwirth offers assurances that whilst there is no governing body for these electronic toners and enhancers, brandt voluntarily tries to comply with the standards and tests for regional organizations.
Both products come with a variety of complimentary and add-on enhancements. The facial machine, for example, has a herbal gel designed and manufactured in New Zealand specifically for use with the Bodi-Tek company's factory in Shenzhen, China.
Thorwirth says there are no minimum order requirements and delivery will take four to six weeks for container loads, or a couple of days for small quantities. The FOB Hong Kong prices for the Bodi-Tek Facial range from US$24.50-26.50 and the Bodi-Tek Enhancer from US$88.50-97.50
Written by Kate Williams
The designers at Pollyflame Concept (HK) Ltd have taken a year to come up with a clock that totally reinterprets the use of the pendulum. According to Margaret Tsui of the sales and marketing department," The most important thing about the Swing Clock is its new design, and design is the most important thing in the market today."
At 190x195x58mm the Swing clock is a standard size but one might be forgiven for not recognizing it instantly as a timepiece. It has no dial, no hands, and when the pendulum is stationary the LEDs are unlit, giving no indication of the innovative method used to display the time. Appearances can be deceptive.
In design terms the Swing Clock is reminiscent of a stylish and very modern metronome. The 420g clock has a matt black plastic base with two silver-coloured fins on either side of the central pendulum, one for setting the hour and the other for setting the minute. The pendulum itself is also silver coloured with six clock display lights (LEDs) ranged vertically at the top.
To read the time, the pendulum is moved about 3in to the right or left and then released. As the powerful spring swings the pendulum from side to side the LEDs flash the numbers, creating the impression that the time is floating in the air. It is these apparently-hovering numbers that are the clock's most novel design feature.
Because the display lights only come on when the pendulum is swung, the clock conserves its energy resources. The four AA-sized 1.5V batteries that the mechanism requires are fitted on either side of the base.
Pollyframe Concept specializes in premiums, gifts, electronic items and time instruments and manufactures around 16,000 units per month. The minimum order for the Swing Clock is 5,000 units and logo services can be arranged -- as long as artwork and film are provided -- for orders in excess of this figure. The clock has an FOB Hong Kong price of US$15.
Tsui describes Pollyflame Concept's markets as worldwide, with "offices or agents in most countries. We export a lot to Europe and the States -- the clock sells particularly well through mail order catalogues in these countries. Southeast Asian customers prefer to buy direct."
Written by Lucy Stringer
If you think the only use for a belt is to held up your trousers, think again. The stylish Health Belt from Fairock Ind Ltd also aims to give a subtle boost to the body's blood circulation.
Magnetic strips in the length of the leather belt emit a mild electric and magnetic force that Fairock sales manager Ricky Ma says should stir the wearer's blood; "A gentle force of electrons generated by natural magnets serve to enlarge the walls of the blood vessels, giving extra therapeutic support and helping the flow of blood."
The instruction leaflet says the effect feels similar to that produced by physical exercise.
With its magnetic properties, the unisex Fairock FPM ZTM belt claims to help an array of common ailments from digestive problems and gastric ulcers through to menstrual aches and pains and sexual impotence.
But even without its medicinal aspirations, the Health belt has enough style to stand alone as a fashion accessory. One inch wide, it comes in black or brown Italian leather with gold-and silver-plated buckles. The buckles, in particular, look good and feel good. Their attractive, intricate designs were fashion in Europe and their sleek, solid weight suggest a quality product.
Combining health and fashion consciousness, the Health Belt has become one of the best selling products in Asia for Fairock which has been in the accessory business since 1989. Ma says it sells to all ages and is proving particularly popular with Japanese men and in Singapore.
But it has not yet tried notching itself on to markets in Europe and the US where Fairock's sales manager believes it could have a similar appeal.
The belt, complete with one buckle, costs US$31 FOB Hong Kong. Minimum order is 1,000 belts.
Written by Nina Darby
This is one of those innovative new products that makes you wonder why it was not on the market years ago: a ball-point pen that can record your notes and messages at one press of a button and play them back at the next.
The brainchild of Leona electronics Co Ltd, the Voice Recording Pen has two clearly marked buttons and a tiny microphone hole built into its casing. company director, Leo Ho, says operating it is child's play.
"Simply press the 'record' button and whilst holding it down, speak into the microphone hole. Then press 'play' and your message is relayed through a tiny speaker set into the end. It's that simple," he claims.
The pen has two models; one that can record up to 20 seconds, the other six seconds. It runs on three G13 batteries with low power consumption and can take replaceable cassettes and pen refills. Despite being about twice the diameter of a normal pen, the Voice Recording Pen is easy to handle and store and comes in black and several bi-tone colours.
Leona electronics has spent nine years developing calculator products and it sees the Voice Recording Pen as a natural extension of its expertise. Ho believes it will have the same universal application.
"Business executives, retailers, students -- they could all do with one of these in their briefcases or pockets; people fed up with hunting for scraps of paper when they remember something important or want to down a name or telephone number. Anyone living a busy live and on the go."
Eye-catching and novel, the pens would make perfect premiums. "People are always curious and interested in this sort of new product and want to try it out," Ho relates. "A logo or name printed on it would certainly get noticed."
The voice Recording Pen costs US$7 FOB Hong Kong per pen. Minimum order is 2,000 units and delivery time takes 60 days.
Written by Nina Darby
 |
Subscription Form | |
More Publications |
 |
tdctrade.com | Web Directory | My Virtual Office | Business News |
| About TDC | Feedback | Help | |
|
Copyright (c) 2000 Hong Kong Trade Development Council. All rights reserved. |
