Brand Innovator of the year: Airblade Dyson

The Dyson Airblade hand dryer works in just ten seconds by scraping water from hands like a windscreen wiper. Inventor James Dyson has always been annoyed that other hand dryers were so inefficient. “You put your hands under them, rub them a bit, then give up and wipe your hands on your trousers,” he says.

His company is all about developing new technology to solve everyday problems, such as hand dryers that can take as long as 44 seconds to dry your hands because their motors can’t create enough airflow to remove water from them effectively. What’s more, they don’t filter the bacteria from the air. After three years of development, Dyson engineers came up with the Airblade, the fastest hand dryer, powered by the unique Dyson digital motor. A HEPA filter purifies the air before blowing it onto hands, so it’s also hygienic. It also uses up to 80% less energy than warm-air hand dryers, so it costs less to run and can lower the customer’s carbon footprint.

The extensive research which went into the Airblade included consultations with NSF International, the consulting body on workplace hygiene, which certified it as compliant with its strict protocols.

Shortlist

BRAND iPhone COMPANY Apple
BRAND iPlayer COMPANY BBC
BRAND Zopa

Sponsored by Reckitt Benckiser

Reckitt Benckiser markets and manufactures some of the most famous brands in the UK, and across the world. It is a world leader in household and personal care, with brands such as Finish, Air Wick, Dettol, Vanish, Harpic, Veet, Cillit Bang, and Clearasil. Global healthcare powerbrands such as Nurofen, Strepsils and Gaviscon, as well as other local favourites also make it the fastest growing OTC healthcare company and the undisputed number one in the UK, responsible for some of our most trusted day to day remedies. Reckitt Benckiser products are to be found in just about every kitchen cupboard or bathroom cabinet in the UK.

Today it is the global number one or two in the majority of its fast growing categories, driven by an exceptional rate of innovation – with 40% of 2007 sales coming from products launched over the last three years. The company’s success lies in bringing the best and most effective products to market – and then supporting them with a level of marketing support unequalled across the sectors in which it operates.

Reckitt Benckiser plc is a world leader in household, health and personal care. The company is truly global, with 23,000 people in 60 operating countries, more than 40 manufacturing facilities worldwide and sales in 180 countries. Reckitt Benckiser is a FTSE top 25 company and since 2000 net revenues have doubled and the market cap has quadrupled.

Reckitt Benckiser UK Limited
Delta 1200
Delta Business Park
Swindon SN5 7XZ
Dansom Lane
Hull
HU8 7DS
T 01482 326151
www.reckittbenckiser.com
Disciplines
Marketer and manufacturer household, health & personal care brands.

Established
Reckitt & Colman and Benckiser were both established in the 19th century and became Reckitt Benckiser in 2000.