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EXPERIENCING the great outdoors is all the more enjoyable when carrying equipment that is comfortable, reliable, stylish and safe.

Freetime Outdoor Ltd has a heritage stretching back more than 100 years. Freetime Outdoor is the Hong Kong subsidiary of the Hagmeyer group.

The company manufactures a range of backpacks, sleeping bags, tents and accessories under the German brand name Monterra and the range is divided into three sections — Alpine, Trekking and Travel.

The Kawanee 70 is one of the largest backpacks in the Alpine range. Export manager Bruce Bergstrom says: "The Kawanee was designed by Martin Fickeit, a well-known German outdoor adventurer and climber."

Fickeit has included a few features that will appeal to seasoned travellers as well as novices. The bag has a hefty 70-litre capacity, the top cover can be removed and cleverly converted into a waistbag so that valuables can be carried safely while the bulk of the luggage can be left in the hotel or the tent. The shoulder straps are well-padded and can be buckled together in the middle. The waist belt is well-padded for support and comfort during long treks, while two quick-access net pockets at the base of the sack can be used for water bottles or maps.

The bag is made in the company's factory in Dongguan, mainland China, using DuPont Cordura and "Montex SP900, a material specifically designed for this range of products", says Bergstrom. The bag is in a stylish design with black, burgundy and purple panels.

Freetime Outdoor has such confidence in the quality of the Kawanee that Bergstrom says, "We are offering a lifetime guarantee on the product."

The range was marketed first in Germany, where retailers showed interest at trade shows and conferences. Subsequently, sales have been made to the UK, France, Italy and North America.

The Kawanee 70 sells for US$40 FOB Hong Kong per unit based on a minimum order of 1,000. Delivery takes 75-90 days.

DECON Ltd has introduced the Intelligent Cooker Knob to minimise the dangers caused by liquids in cooking pots boiling over on to a gas ring or electric heating element. Essentially the product is a sophisticated lid that reacts to heat and opens a vent to release a build-up of steam.

Operations manager Wendy Au explains: "The metal alloy is heat-sensitive. It expands when boiling point is reached and releases a spring which, in turn, opens the vent and lets the steam escape. When the temperature declines to about 35 degrees Celsius, the alloy contracts and the vent spring closes again."

The lids, made from German-made Bakelite and Japan-made stainless steel, use shape memory alloy technology and are sold in two sizes — 20 and 24 centimetres. They are also available in tempered glass with stainless steel trim. Because some foods, such as rice, require the steam to be retained inside the pot, the steam-release function can be controlled by a switch on the lid, which can be set to AUTO or CLOSE.

Decon also produces a range of high-quality stainless steel pots that match the lids and feature thick sandwiched bases, which ensure good heat transfer and avoid burning. The lids and pots are sold in different combination sets.

Manufacture is carried out at its 10,000-square-metre factory in Guangdong, mainland China, with a workforce of 500 producing 300,000 pots and lids a month. "The intelligent Cooker Knob has been produced and marketed for the past six months," says Au.

Most sales are to Australia, Europe and the US. Decon is happy to use a customer's brand name on the product if required. Based on a minimum order of 1,000, the price for the 20-centimetre version is US$2.50, that for the 24-centimetre model is US$3.15 FOB Hong Kong. Prices for combination sets are available on request. Delivery takes 30-45 days.

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