Acme - A big difference for little fingers
Challenge
USA-based Acme United is the leading supplier of scissors to the US commercial office products industry. PDD had been instrumental in developing an eight inch adult scissor for Acme that was comfortable for both right and left handed operation. Acme returned to PDD with a new challenge: how could it break into the children’s scissor sector without becoming a commodity product?
Solution
Human factors specialists at PDD explored how children use scissors in real life activities at home and school across varying ages and skill levels. The solution was to introduce new sizes, modified ergonomic grips and modern, fun colour schemes. For comfort, PDD used a soft material for the overmoulded, ergonomically proportioned handles and finger apertures and gave the blade tips a blunt end for the safety of younger children.
Result
The Titanium range, which includes the children’s scissors, has seen a recent revival of sales with turnover more than doubling.
Client's Comments
"The designs lift the scissors out of the commodity realm and offer the opportunity to step-up the buyer to a higher-end product. The value is readily understandable to the consumer... we found PDD great to work with, in spite of being on different continents."
Marta Phillips, Acme United, USA.
