Mountain bike firm CMK develops award-winning concept with support from WMG
EXPERTS at the Warwick Manufacturing Group have worked with a Black Country business to help it develop an award-winning new product.
CMK, based in Oldbury, developed the Mudhugger as a consequence of directors Bruce and Jamie Gardiner’s passion for mountain biking.
The brothers wanted to develop a mudguard which attaches to a bike’s seat rather than a seat post as this would be more practical for some of terrain encountered by serious bikers.
However, they recognised they could not do it on their own and turned to researchers and business support specialists at WMG’s SME team for help.
The WMG team, based at the International Institute for Product and Service Innovation at University of Warwick, helped give life to the design idea.
WMG was able to help prototype the design and gave tailored advice and recommendations on the potential manufacturing route and materials that the company could use. WMG also helped them with materials analysis and technology advice on how to bond plastics to different plastics.
The WMG team also worked with the brothers on a Facebook campaign intended to create a buzz around the Mudhugger concept.
Bruce Gardiner said: “We are delighted that the Mudhugger product has been so warmly received. The support that the WMG SME team gave us throughout the product development process helped us look at things in a completely new way enabling us to develop something truly innovative yet feasible to produce and market.”
Scott Crowther, Knowledge Transfer Specialist in WMG’s SME Team added: “It has been great working with Bruce and the team behind Mudhugger. Their commitment and vision has resulted in a fantastic product that has filled a gap in the mountain biking market. This is a really great example of how universities and industry can work together to make a difference to the success of a product.”
