Help/Advise on getting a new product into the Market Place.

apoole

Help/Advise on getting a new product into the Market Place.

I have developed a unique Backpack alteration for a particular market that has never been used before and will benefit/help this sector.

I have developed my prototype for my product and have it working and have tested it and currently use it for my own personal use on a daily basis and has helped/improved my day to day living immensely.

I have and can see a wide sector of the market place that will benefit from my design but just need some help/advise on what I should do next?

I have ‘googled’ regarding getting a product to manufacture and it directs you to Services/Companies that can guide you through but require upfront fees/charges.

The main type of services I will require for my product are

A manufacturer/wholesaler of backpacks (particular style/design required)
A metal worker/manufacturer to produce a specific bracket/frame
A sewing machinist/alteration to modify the product and insert the frame into the backpack

My other question is, before I present my product to a manufacturer should I ‘Patent’ my idea first? Again, looking into a patent it suggests it can take a number of years for these to be approved and again advises regarding contacting a ‘Patent Solicitor’ and also suggests four figure costs for there services.

I am hoping someone is able to provide me with a bit of help/advice as to what to do? Or alternatively, can anyone advise if there is a government back advice service that can off the above?

Any replies/advice will be greatly appreciated and thank you in advance.

Sandtree

Why do you need a manufacturer/wholesaler partner, rather than just a manufacturer? Seems slightly odd if you are subsequently going to do post manufacturing changes.

Why are you looking for three service providers rather than one that can incorporate your frame themselves?

To patent or not is a key question as you shouldnt really be approaching manufacturers with designs etc until you have filed for your patent if thats what you intend to do. 

The previous business centre was merged into the general .gov.uk website some years ago and it can be a bit dotted around but it has reasonable advice Expert advice on starting a business - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) Some charities,, eg Princes Trust similarly have some free information online.

Ultimately this is a commercial enterprise and commercial suppliers and partners expect to get paid.

Ditzy_Mitzy

You haven't reinvented the frame rucksack, have you?  You are wasting your time if you have.

Lomast

What quantities are you looking for, unless it is 0,000s then manufacturing is going to be very expensive per unit. How are you going to sell it, can you afford several tens if not hundreds of thousands of pounds in development and initial order?

If you are talking to UK manufacturers then an NDA may be sufficient but proper legal advice will be required, if its far east manufacturers then a patent is unlikely to be much use.

Marcon

I presume this is a modification for wheelchair users, given that you say it has helped you so much. Is it something which could be retro-fitted or would it have to be done during the manufacturing process?

How big if the likely market?

richardw

Btw https://www.gov.uk/unregistered-designs

eamon

Can't remember which Dragons Den show but usually when they come across this theme their suggestion is to patent the idea perhaps produce a prototype and then licence the idea to an existing manufacturer. To go into manufacturing & production yourself is expensive.