METS, the world's largest trade exhibition of equipment, materials and systems for the international marine leisure industry, opened today in Amsterdam's huge RAI exhibition centre, and TheMainSail is there to find out about the exciting new products that will be launched by companies all over the world in time for next year's sailing season.
Over the coming weeks we will be reviewing and reporting on an astonishing range of innovations, from clothing to electronics, from safety kit to deck gear. Organised by Amsterdam RAI in association with the International Council of Marine Industry Associations (ICOMIA), the show, which continues until Thursday, is targeted at yacht builders, naval architects, repair yards, distributors, dealers, wholesalers, marina operators and equipment manufacturers from around the world.
One of the highlights of the opening day is the announcement of the winner of the annual DAME design award.
"A strong and varied mix of category winners presented the jury with a challenging task of selecting an overall winner," said Kim Hollamby, chairman of the judging panel. They settled on the One Touch Winch Handle from Lewmar Ltd of the UK, citing "its extremely clever rethinking of a piece of equipment whose formulaic design most people take for granted."
The OneTouch rejects the traditional bi-square lock arrangement in favour of a plunger pin and ball system, similar in concept to that used in racing car quick-release steering wheels. The mechanism is operated by a lever that runs the length of the winch handle; allowing it to be easily engaged and released with one hand.
"Elegant in concept, aesthetically pleasing, strong on detail design, well executed, effective and a great step forward — Lewmar's OneTouch Winch Handle ticked all of the essential DAME boxes and is therefore a very worthy winner," said Mr Hollamby.
The 16th annual DAME competition attracted a total of 166 products from 136 companies. A total of 74 products were short listed for final consideration and these are the 'Nominated' products that appear in the DAME presentation at METS. From these the jury selected the outright winner, together with five category winners, an innovation award winner and 20 special mentions.
The award recognises design in its widest sense — the degree to which the overall styling, construction, functionality and level of innovation are seen as equally balanced features of the entry.
Originality, use and ease of operation are also taken into account, as well as other considerations such as the ratio of price to performance.
"he DAME Award is the most globally competitive prize for marine equipment," said Lewmar managing director
Peter O'Connell, who was presented with the marine trade's “Oscar” during a breakfast briefing.
"Competition this year was especially fierce, so the DAME award represents true recognition of our renewed commitment to product innovation."
With its patented “OneTouch” lock-in mechanism, Lewmar says the new winch handle offers sailors a stylish, powerful and easy-to-use handle that provides rapid and simple winch entry and exit. Lewmar believes the OneTouch is the first real innovation in lock-in winch handle design since the 1970's.
For more information visit www.lewmar.com and www.metstrade.com.
