Penline Engineering Q&A

Based in Redditch, Penline Engineering is experienced in supporting smaller businesses who require 3D CAD facilities and medium sized businesses who need a helping hand.

When COVID-19 threatened businesses across the globe earlier this year, the brains behind Penline Engineering saw an opportunity to utilise their expertise and equipment to produce a ground-breaking product in an effort to help control the virus.

Find out more below!

1. What is the innovation behind Penline Engineering?

Penline Engineering is a design and innovation company, and we were initially looking to create a handle to stop germs from being spread via door handles in restaurants and offices. With the emergence of COVID-19, we accelerated the design and development process as we could see that this product would be beneficial in controlling the virus.

2. What does this mean for Worcestershire?

Worcestershire will benefit from this as we will be able to supply the product to local businesses, helping to reduce the transmission of viruses and bacteria. We anticipate that we will need to expand the business to include servicing and repair of the HandleSmart product.

3. What is the positive impact?

Transmission of viruses and bacteria is a problem in offices and restaurants, especially in busy restrooms where some users don’t practise good hand washing techniques. The positive impact will be that users will be presented with a clean handle every time.

4. What knowledge has been gained from this?

We have gained a lot of knowledge in the areas around clean handles, understanding the different concepts and their limitations. We had to be certain that our HandleSmart was unique, could be patent protected and also that we did not breach any patents that were already in place. During testing, we have also learnt about the various cleaning fluids, and which perform the best and why.

5. What does the word “innovation” mean to you?

For me as a mechanical engineer, the word “innovation” means creating a product or process that solves a problem.

6. What are the next steps for you?

We still need to undertake more development of the product and fluids. The next step for us is to get a pre-production item fitted to a Worcestershire business to undertake live trials rather than a lab. We are currently in the process of formulating a plan to supply products to Worcestershire businesses free of charge to expand out trials process.

Watch the first episode of The Winn Show, featuring Penline Engineering here: https://youtu.be/EP46RA-hojQ