The Marine Equipment Trade Show (METS) at Amsterdam from November 14th to 16th is one of the most eagerly awaited events on the marine trade calendar. And the annual DAME Award, presented at METS to the best-designed new product at the show, is one of the ultimate accolades in the industry.
This year the international jury which presents the award faces an exceptionally hard task in deciding the winner, having received a record entry of 166 products from 136 companies in 18 countries.
A total of 74 products have been short listed for final consideration - and 12 of them are from British companies.
The jury will announce the winner of the DAME Award on Tuesday 14 November just before opening of the show.
Kim Hollamby, chairman of the jury, said: “The DAME Awards have consistently set out to highlight the best examples of good design practice in all of its aspects since it was first run at METS in 1991. Its international jury can boast expertise in all aspects of design across several industries and it will always continue to raise the bar in order to encourage the onward march of progress for marine equipment.”
Irene Dros, product manager of METS added: “Exhibitors value the impact of a nomination and the possibility of winning an award. This year the number of nominated products was almost 50% higher than for the last two years, and the jury was very pleased with the level of the entries. They hope this level will be maintained in future.”
The jury assesses all the products by balance and interaction between overall design, build, functionality and use of materials. Other factors taken into account are originality, ergonomics and price/quality ratio. The short-listed products are divided into eight categories: (British nominees in brackets)
- Marine electronics (none)
- Interior equipment, furnishings, materials and electrical fittings used in cabins (Oceanair Marine Ltd - Skysol Day/Night Powered Blind)
- Marina Equipment, boatyard equipment and boat constructions tools and materials (Sealift2 International - Sealift 2)
- Deck equipment, sails and rigging (Lewmar Ltd - OneTouch Winch Handle and Flush Hatch)
- Clothing and crew accessories (Henri Lloyd - TP2 Women's Phantom Jacket; International Safety Products Ltd- Typhoon Thermo heated Waistbelt: Musto Ltd - HPX)
- Life saving and safety equipment (One Stop Chandlery Limited - C Pro)
- Machinery, propulsion, mechanical and electrical systems and fittings (Ambassador Marine - Stripper Plus; Barrow International - Seatorque Enclosed Shaft System; Halyard (M&I) Ltd - Resonator Silencer; Offshore Systems (UK) LtdResistive Sender Deck Filler Gauge)
- Marine related software (none)
There may be prize winners in each category, as well as the coveted trophy for the best-designed product overall.
For more information visit www.metstrade.com
