Invention is a winner as duo pick up award
Robert Clarke, 50, of Ffordd-y-Garnlas, and John Lockwood, 43, of Clos Gors Fawr, Grovesend, were awarded a gold medal in the medical equipment category for The Sports Injury Rehabilitation Assistant (SIRA).
The invention, which took two years in the making, is the first powered stretching machine of its kind.
It was also awarded The World Intellectual Property Organisation's Gold Medal for Best Inventors 2010 — the first time in its 15-year history this award has been won by the UK.
Rob, who owns the Robert Clarke Fitness Centre in West Street, Gorseinon, and entrepreneur and inventor John, took orders for eight units at the exhibition and secured distributors, as well as being in talks with other distributors representing most European countries, as well as the US and South America.
John Lockwood said the news had not really sunk in yet, but they were both delighted.
He said: "We had hoped to win something but certainly didn't think we'd win such a prestigious award.
Approval
"The SIRA was fantastically well received and a lot of doctors an physiotherapists tried it out and gave it their seal of approval which has certainly given us a lot of confidence in the product.
"A number of fitness trainers and yoga practitioners also tried it and were impressed."
He said there was promising interest from multi-national companies with inquiries from as far afield as Russia, Switz- erland, Holland and Columbia. Both he and Rob were also personally invited to exhibit at an invention show in Kuwait in November where places are limited to 150.
The exhibition was the largest event of its kind in Europe and attracted 1,000 inventions from all over the world.
It saw around 70,000 visitors, including industrialists, distributors and business people all looking for new products and inventions to market.
All 14 inventions from Wales won a medal, with six gold, five silver and three bronze medals as well as two of the overall top prizes.
The inventors have had support in developing and exhibiting their products through the Welsh Assembly Government's Business Innovation programme, which is part funded by the European Union.
Lesley Griffiths, Deputy Minister for Science, Innovation and Skills, said: "It's great news to hear that the innovative products from Welsh entrepreneurs have been officially recognised and singled out from inventions submitted from all over the world.
"I am also pleased the Assembly Government is supporting these enterprising inventors to develop their products and that many have already gone on to set up their own businesses.
"We need people with bright ideas and Business Innovation support — part of the Flexible Support for Business service which is helping turn these into real commercial propositions."
Ceri Davies, of Neath, won a silver medal for his invention Laptek — a laptop bag that converts into a mobile workstation.
Designers Luke Khan and Warren Fauvel, who are also based in Swansea, were awarded a silver medal for Cook-A-Long, an adjustable kitchen worktop for children that fits into a standard kitchen drawer.
Gordon and Janine James of Ammanford scooped a bronze for Decorad, a device to lift radiators off their hangers to allow easy access for cleaning, decorating or maintenance.
laura.davies@swwmedia.co.uk
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