Strix research and development experts have come up with an appliance that the company says will be a major innovation for parents feeding their babies.
The ‘Perfect Prep’ machine automates much of the process of preparing infant formula milk.
It delivers purified water at the perfect temperature for a baby to drink and eliminating bacteria which can be present in formula milk powder, all within two minutes.
Mark Finnie, group director, innovation and development at Strix’s base at Forrest House, Ronaldsway, told Business News: ‘In a two minute cycle you have a perfectly prepared formula feed in line with World Health Organisation guidelines.
‘It really is a breakthorugh product.
‘The alternative is you boil a kettle, you pour it in, you let it cool and test it on your arm and all that sort of stuff.’
Mr Finnie said Strix joined forces with Tommee Tippee who are a big brand in bottle and baby feed products.
‘It’s a really good flagship for us now as it also shows off the instant flow technology and the anti bacterial filter technology (developed by Strix) in one unit.’
Strix’s front end research and development is based in the island and Business Newswas given a first-hand insight into the operation. One hundred people are employed at Strix’s two island sites at Ronaldsway and Ramsey.
Mr Finnie said the Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature Prep Machine has only been on the market for two months but has already scooped two awards within the baby products industry.
Mr Finnie said ‘it speaks volumes that when looking for a technology owner and product development expert (Tommee Tippee) chose Strix.’
He added: ‘The appliance we have developed offers brand new functionality that will make a real difference to parents’ daily lives and we believe could be the beginning of a number of new developments in the mother and baby products market.’ The product was also being launched in the United States as we went to press and Strix are very excited about the potentially huge market on offer there as parents get to know about the product. Nick Mawby, group marketing manager at Strix, backed up Mr Finnie’s remarks about how important the new product is saying it would prove invaluable in helping parents getting formula feeds ready for their tiny offspring.
Strix stress that kettle control remains the core business with many millions of kettles being sold every year with the company’s name firmly to be found in the products.