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Product Magazines: Product Trends |
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In an ideal world babies would lie back, flutter their eyelids, smile and look positively beautiful. But almost everybody has had firsthand experience of what the little bundles of joy can do. Parenthood, especially in the early stages, can be a trying time for all, Baby, being new to the ways of the world, easily gets frustrated, wakes up in the middle of the night and cries... and cries... and cries.
Not surprising, then, that a multi-million-dollar industry has developed over the years which manufactures products to pacify and entertain infants. For parents, these toys and devices can be a godsend.
One product on the market is from a 10-year-old Hong Kong company that usually produces audio electronics products - from radios to cassettes - for South America, the Middle East, Japan and the US.
Michael Chow, managing director of Makcoson Ind Co Ltd, has come up with the talking mirror lamp for baby, which he says is a sure-fire way to transform a squalling infant into a gurgling bundle of fun.
Measuring 30x28cm, the talking mirror lamp is encased in a plastic frame, which boasts vibrant colours and convenient carrying handle. Centred within the frame is a large heart-shaped mirror, while around its edge is a variety of geometric shapes in red, yellow, purple and blue. On tops is a man-in-the-moon circular light with stars on one side and a yellow circular speaker on the other. According to Chow, the best feature of all, apart from the light and colour display, is a selection of music, including "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star."
And if these features do not pacify baby, there is always the secret weapon - a recording function that, at baby's touch of a key, plays a pre-recorded message from mummy or daddy saying, "Calm down, go to sleep," or any other lines that will calm the waters.
The recorded message lasts 4-5 seconds while the light automatically turns off after five minutes. Power is supplied by three 1.5V C batteries.
Chow says it is his first venture into children's toys but he has high hopes of penetrating many export markets, especially the US. He says that he has already received numerous inquiries from Hong Kong exporters. The talking mirror lamp costs US$1.55 FOB Hong Kong and the minimum order quantity is 1,000 units. Delivery is within 60 days.
Written by Patrick McLoughlin
Since the time when man first donned a loincloth to cover up his modesty, countless men and women have joined in the relentless pursuit of physical beauty. Today, men and women throughout the world go to great lengths to increase their attractiveness, whether that means spending long hours at a beauty salon, working out in the gym, following a healthy diet, or all of these.
The standards of beauty change, but one thing that always seems to be a dilemma, particularly for women, is how to remove unwanted body hair. Luckily, this is a problem with a quick and easy solution. With the wax heater from Vincent Raya Co Ltd, a Hong Kong producer of hair dryers and curlers, unwanted hair can easily be removed using hot wax treatments during a quick stop at the beauty salon.
Vincent Raya's electric-powered wax heaters are sold in the UK and Australia, and the company is currently negotiating with customers in the US. The voltage can be altered to suit different countries and the heater has passed the required safety tests for the UK and Australia. "The safety requirements for the US will depend on what the buyers request," explains director of finance, Henry Luk.
The wax heaters are designed for professional use in a salon, not for use at home. "We manufacture just one type of wax heater, but it's suitable for both liquid or solid wax," says Luk. The heater are cased in plastic, with aluminium tanks and heaters.
The FOB Hong Kong prices range from US$18-20, depending on the accessories required. The minimum order is a 20ft container load, which holds 2,200 heaters. Shipping time is about 35 days and samples are available in advance for a small fee.
Written by Ruth Barzel
Gift giving should be enjoyed. It's a chance to express love, respect or appreciation. But what should be a pleasant experience can quickly turn into a stressful one when it becomes an ordeal because there's nothing new or different available.
Luckily, gift-givers no longer have to agonise over what to buy or rack their brains for something original. One Hong Kong company -- Win Tai Labels & Trading Ltd -- offers greeting cards so whimsical and different that once shoppers come upon them they will look no further.
The novel thing about the cards from win Tai is that they actually change colour, as if by magic. Activated by thermal heat, the cards gradually change when placed under the palm of the hand for 10 seconds or so.
Win Tai makes greeting cards for all occasions. One Christmas card set, for example, features cheerful, brightly-coloured reindeer, snowmen and Christmas bells on a small, square-shaped card that makes a perfect gift enclosure. Inside the card is a printed message.
Export manager Katherine Cheuk explains, "We sell out thermal colour-changing greeting cards in Europe, Singapore, Taiwan and the US. Asian countries use our own designs, but our American clients tend to use their own." Win Tai also makes cards according to customers' specifications.
The 20-year-old company produces a variety of heat transfers and colour-changing products. The colour-changing cards are created using a special ink make in Japan. Says Cheuk, "We also have a joint venture in Canada and the same type of ink is made there." The cards have passed all the relevant safety tests in the US and Europe.
Because the colour-changing card is a new product, prices and minimum orders have not yet been determined. shipping takes about one month.
Written by Ruth Barzel
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