Through targeted market research, we identified the growing demand for  mechanical lice removal products to supplement lice treatments. We approached US pharmaceutical giant Bayer and proposed a new concept to extend their RID brand. The simple idea was to supply a completely mechanical system of lice removal using combs. We developed a new manufacturing process to produce metal pin combs. Display packaging was designed and produced for maximum shelf appeal. The idea took off, the dual comb pack is the No 1 seller in the US and the initial order almost doubled within the first 12 months.

SSL, the UK’s leading supplier of solutions for head lice, needed to find a new supplier of their 3 Natruclear combs at very short notice. They only had a small amount of stock in their warehouse and a raft of orders to fulfil. We were able to take the whole project and deliver first goods within 12 weeks. Tooling was laid down, pin loading cells were developed, packaging suppliers sourced and packaging re-developed, combs manufactured and then delivered.

SSL were so pleased with the Natruclear project that when they were working on the exciting launch of a new pesticide free lice treatment we were an automatic choice as comb supplier. Initially drawings were created for a new comb design and then the tooling and pin loading set up. From approval of the concept drawings to delivering first off production only took 6 weeks. The Full Marks pesticide free treatment is now available throughout the UK and is supported by an extensive advertising campaign including TV.

Full Marks  

Uriach OTC of Barcelona needed to re-vamp their Filvit comb. The comb was sold in a small paper sleeve which reduced the on shelf impact of the product and brand. We developed a new triangular pack which stood on shelf, greatly increasing the product and brand visibility. Branding was also enhanced on the comb. Finally, we were able to deliver to Uriach in small quantities, reducing their stockholding and improving cashflow.

Uriach  

InfectoPharm of Germany produces InfectoPedicul, the country's leading lice treatment. Most of InfectoPharm sales come through pharmacists and many of them had asked InfectoPharm to recommend a comb that was ‘best in class’. Unable to find a comb that met all their requirements, InfectoPharm commissioned us to develop a new comb that was: - easy to hold and use, could withstand boiling in water at 100ºC, and had long parallel metal pins to catch and remove lice and eggs. As part of the research that went into the development, we asked a specialist measuring company to measure the average gaps of the combs on the market down to 1/1000th of a millimetre. The results were astounding! Many of the combs had gaps so large both hair and eggs would pass through the teeth, rendering the combs useless for anything other than basic lice detection. We have now developed the InfectoPedicul comb, with an arched handle to reduce strain in use, a special finger grip for added comfort and InfectoPedicul branding on the comb. Now when pharmacists call InfectoPharm to find out the best comb to use, they recommend their own product, increasing brand value and sales!

Infectopharm