TeamO to add to its product line in 2019
Setting up a new factory and production line in Hampshire has been a ‘huge learning curve’ for TeamO’s brother and sister team Lauren and Oscar Mead.
However, now the company, which launched its BackTow lifejacket harness in 2017, is on track to expand its product range, take on additional staff and an apprentice.
“It’s deeply satisfying seeing the team grow,” said Lauren. “We were manufacturing in China but decided to move production to the UK so we could control quality and stock levels.”
Deceptively simple
Already new colours have been added, with plans to introduce two new types of lifejackets in 2019, one for a day sailor with no deck harness and one for the keel boat and yacht racing community that will work ‘in a new way’.
“Being able to develop a prototype in-house means we can move faster,” explained Lauren. “Great design is deceptively simple but we have to take the time to refine it and work through a number of iterations.”
She added: “We carried out Crowdfunding last year and the investment has allowed us to grow into the new unit.
“We’ve got plans to add more machines so that we can do more complicated sewing.”
The products are distributed by C-Quip.