44 | Tuned in to health care support Howard Wright produces its products in New Zealand at a factory in Bell Block near New Plymouth. from page 42 MANUFACTURING Howard Wright Limited By the 1970s Howard Wright Limited was making and selling most of the hospital beds in New Zealand, but it was the innovative M4 bed in 1976 that was the breakthrough internationally. Howard came up with the idea of using remote hydraulic pumping at the foot of the bed to raise the bed surface. That placed Howard Wright at the forefront in hospital bed design. Anthony says the company’s strong design focus has set it apart and Howard Wright’s design approach centres around three key values: simple (practical design), smart (innovative products that embody the latest appropriate technologies) and human (intuitive and empathetic). “For our R&D team it’s all about understanding human problems and finding a solution,” he says. “At Howard Wright the people who design the products do the research. We work alongside all users of our products from nurses and patients through to maintenance technicians. Listening to, questioning, observing and discovering ways our products can make their lives and work easier. “How and where care is provided influences the way we innovate. It can be one small clever modification that makes a giant leap in comfort or manageability.” All design development and prototyping is tested to international standards, working closely with the company’s operations team. In its model shop Howard Wright can test ideas quickly and frequently. “It means our full prototype models are more comprehensive and complete, so we can efficiently release a product that is right first time,” says Anthony. Quality and cost effectiveness are other important considerations. Howard Wright produces its products in New Zealand at a factory in Bell Block near New Plymouth. Bruce says the company has invested heavily in this operation to increase efficiencies in order to keep production in the country as well as compete with offshore competitors. Howard Wright continues its expansion internationally. The company has strong sales operations in Australia and the United Kingdom as well as distributors in other parts of the world. Two new dealers in Europe mean Howard Wright will seek to further cement its position in the UK and European markets over the coming years. YOUR MOTION. OUR SOLUTION. www.stabilus.com Your first choice partner in advanced motion-control solutions with the unique product portfolio of its segment experts. Laminex New Zealand is proud to supply Howard Wright Limited with their compact laminate requirements for manufacturing medical beds & stretchers. i l i l i i i i i l i i f f i i l . COMPACT LAMINATE APPLICATIONS Hospitals Doctors Surgeries Laboratory Environments Laboratory Furniture i l i i i At TNL International, we understand that every customer has different requirements. Our goal is to create tailor-made supply chain solutions. Customised solutions for Air, Sea & Land Proudly supporting HowardWright www.tnlintl.com +64 9 275 4401
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDc2Mzg=