As a dedicated product designer in charge of pioneering POS solutions, I am constantly driven by a passion for innovation in retail and a strong commitment to environmental sustainability.
At Harrison, we strive to lead the way in minimising the retail sector's impact on the planet by developing products that not only fulfil our customers’ needs and wants but are also eco-friendly. While some level of plastic is seemingly unavoidable in our industry, manufacturers and suppliers like us are investing considerable time and money in designing and producing sustainable alternatives.
Finding a solution to an industry-wide problem
A considerable challenge we decided to tackle was the recyclability of free-standing display units (FSDUs). Despite primarily being made from corrugated cardboard, FSDUs were being discarded into landfill because of the plastic corr-a-clips that were used to hold the units in place.
After several weeks of scribbling on whiteboards, brainstorming ideas over coffee, evaluating the pros and cons of each suggestion, and generally scratching our heads, in 2018 we hit upon a solution.
What if we could create a cardboard clip to support a shelf on a FSDU? One that was simple enough to construct and could go into standard recycling streams? And one that was even compostable? The world’s first cardboard corr-a-clip was born!
The global unveiling of our solution
Trials began a few months later, primarily focusing on durability and strength. Then it was time to unveil our latest innovation at the world’s number one retail trade fair: EuroShop 2020 in Dusseldorf. The response was overwhelmingly positive, and orders started pouring in.
That was until Covid-19 arrived one month later and those orders were put on hold while everyone tried to adjust to the new normal. The sudden increase in demand for PPE meant we turned our attention to supplying customers with sneeze screens and hand sanitiser stations instead of corr-a-clips (which wasn’t our typical product offering!).
As life gradually returned to normalcy, we resumed our efforts on the cardboard corr-a-clips, and they quickly gained popularity once again. We’re happy to say that millions are now being used across the market and knowing that our cardboard corr-a-clips decompose rapidly in comparison to synthetic materials if they accidentally end up in landfills is cause for celebration.
I am truly grateful for the remarkable team of designers at Harrison who brought this concept to life. Creating innovative solutions that have a positive impact on the environment is always a rewarding experience. As we continue to push the boundaries of sustainable product design, we are excitedly working on our next big innovation.
Do you want to sample our cardboard corr-a-clip? Contact us on sales@harrisonproducts.com and we’ll get one sent to you with our efficient, next-day delivery.
Read about how CarbonQuota has officially recognised us a carbon reduced operation.
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By Douglas Cook Douglas Cook, the Product Development Manager at Harrison, has been an integral part of our team for over 15 years. He is responsible for overseeing the design, testing, and development of innovative POS and retail solutions, which includes the world’s first cardboard corr-a-clip and a range of biodegradable EcoPlastic products. Douglas is passionate about the retail industry along with the exciting opportunities and challenges it presents. Working with his team of talented designers, he loves bringing new products and solutions to market, overcoming obstacles, and challenging the norm. During his time at Harrison, Douglas has worked in several departments including purchasing and the warehouse. With a thorough understanding of product capabilities, he and the team create robust, sustainable |
