Latest News

Wideblue Visits Potential Chinese Manufacturers

Wideblue Director Russell Overend visited various companies in China looking for suitable partners for a number of specific projects. Although Wideblue already works with many Chinese companies this trip focussed on a range of toolmakers, injection moulding companies, product assembly companies, optical component companies and optical assembly companies. The tour took Russell to suppliers in Hong Kong and Shenzhen in the south and to Hangzhou and Ningbo in Zhejiang Province.

Russell said “This was a good trip. We found many promising potential suppliers with good capabilities and equipment. May is a lovely time of year to visit China. It is always good to visit factories and meet the people you will be dealing with face to face.”

Wideblue now has access to an ever-increasing range of component and final product manufacturers in the UK, Europe, and the Far East.

Wideblue Signs Contracts with the IMPOSSIBLE Film Company

Wideblue have recently signed contracts with the IMPOSSIBLE film company to design two new instant film cameras for worldwide markets.

IMPOSSIBLE have been developing and selling a range of instant imaging films and refurbished Polaroid instant imaging cameras since 2008 when they set up in the old Polaroid Enschede film manufacturing plant in the Netherlands. IMPOSSIBLE estimate there are still 300,000,000 functioning Polaroid instant imaging cameras in existence and are currently supplying instant film from 2,000 outlets worldwide. Last year they launched their first hardware product the Instant Lab which is now selling worldwide through the Apple Retail Stores. Earlier this year IMPOSSIBLE signed contracts with Wideblue to create two new instant imaging cameras for launch in 2015. The two new cameras will be based on modern electronic platforms offering advanced features to keen analogue photographers.

Wideblue are delighted to be part of this inspirational project to recreate the magic of instant photography through the creation of two new analogue cameras for the digital age.

Some recent press coverage: Herald Scotland and The Independent.

Wideblue Presents Case Study at the Encompass Event

Wideblue Design and Development Director Grant King will be presenting a case study on product design in the real world at the Encompass event on 25th March at 200 St Vincent Street in Glasgow. The event entitled “ Developing a new product from concept to market “ will focus on how to turn a basic idea into a commercial business. Other presenters at the event are Bill Corr from Scottish Enterprise who will be talking about how to fund your idea and Simon Andrews from Strathclyde University who will talk about managing creativity and innovation.

Wideblue Moves to The West of Scotland Science Park

After eight years in the Polaroid Building in Dumbarton, Wideblue have now moved to The West of Scotland Science Park in Glasgow. Located in Block 7, Kelvin Campus, our design studio and laboratories are kitted out with excellent new facilities for optics and photonics, electronics and software, mechanical engineering and medical device development. Our neighbours are a broad variety of hi-tech companies and University research departments all located in a modern campus environment.

Originally a 2006 management buyout from Polaroid Corporation, we have spent the last eight years strengthening our skills and broadening our experience. In that time we’ve accumulated over 100 person-years of experience, creating an incredible range of product designs from synthetic biology assembly systems to underwater barnacle scrapers, all for a broad range of organisations ranging from Dragon’s Den winners to US and European multinationals.

After two days, three removal trucks and a two-hour search for the box with the kettle the photo shows the Wideblue move team having a well-earned rest with a piece of cake.

Wideblue Design and Development Director Grant King said “The new studio, the labs, and the surrounding area are an excellent fit with our business and are much nearer our customers. We are looking forward to the next 8 years in our new home”.

Wideblue Client Calcivis granted a CE Mark in Europe

Calcivis, a medical devices company focused on revolutionising the management of tooth decay, today announces that its Calcivis® Caries Activity Imaging System has been granted a CE Mark in Europe. A CE Mark is required before a medical device can be marketed in the EU and a number of other countries and signifies that the manufacturer meets the requirements of European legislation.

A series of advanced prototypes of the system were developed and manufactured in-house by the Wideblue team who also supported the CE mark and medical device approvals.

Read more in our case study, and on the Calcivis website.