Charbecue Ltd
Charbecue
“MAS provided the expertise we needed at that point in our journey.” Phil Hards, Director, Charbecue Ltd
The Manufacturing Challenge
Since 2008, Charbecue Ltd has been engaged in developing a revolutionary and unique outdoor cooking device called a Charbecue. “The cooking device efficiently utilises heat generated from the source,” Director, Phil Hards explains; “allowing for the simultaneous barbecuing and roasting or baking of large quantities of food. In June 2009, we did not have the expertise to transfer the device from a prototype to a commercially viable product manufactured using the correct materials and pleasing to the eye.”
“We approached MAS because we had reached a point where we had gone beyond the stage of proving the concept but were unsure as to whether the correct materials and production methods were being used.”
MAS Action
Director, Phil Hards, of the Lincolnshire-based company contacted the Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) for support. MAS Advisor Ross Ryan explains; “after reviewing the current status of the business and the product we decided on a course of action. MAS would part-fund a project with the objectives of refining the current design, establishing manufacturing methodologies and undertaking CE Marking activities.”
Following the proposal’s approval, Charbecue Ltd carried out the project with the help of expert consultants. Issues that were investigated included; the styling, materials and customer friendly nature of the product; manufacturing drawings and an acceptable price point; establishing a bill of materials; product CE Marking and assessment of manufacturing partners.
Director, Phil Hards commented; “MAS provided expertise to identify the most efficient materials to use at the time, assisted with CE Marking and provided CAD design, which would assist in future production.”
Results
“We now believe the device to be the most versatile and fuel-efficient available,” Phil continues. “A model aimed at the catering market has now been successfully produced. The reason this model was identified to be made initially was that this version was regarded as the most difficult and as a consequence both technologies and methodologies identified could be transferred to any other model produced for other markets. The main unique feature being both large and small quantities of food can be cooked both above and below a central fuel source (charcoal) at the same time.”
Phil believes that as a direct result of the MAS support received a significant amount of new business and profit will be generated.
Phil also offers advice to companies who access MAS support in the future: “Be as open as possible and provide those advising you with as much information as you can and be sure that they understand the information that you are providing. In so doing, this will ultimately provide you with the greater benefit in the long term.”
Through years of development and innovation, and the catalyst of MAS support, Phil explains that Charbecue Ltd have been able to create “the ultimate outdoor cooking device.”
