TESTING EVERY STROKE
19th Nov 2021
Paint has changed, and we know that the tools you use must continue to change along with it.
A reputation for quality and innovation for our 250+ year old name means that continuously testing and reviewing our much-loved products is paramount to ensuring they deliver with today’s paints.
Why test?
A reputation that spans over 250 years can only be built upon expertise, confidence and continuous development. We have always been advocates of strenuous product testing, in automated laboratory settings, as well as in the hands of real users.
Innovation in paints and coatings, even more so in recent years, can mean that decorating tools that have stood the test of time, may need to be updated, alongside ongoing new product innovation.
Delivering on reputation
Hamilton’s product testing process begins quite early on, where development is driven by end-user insight – everyday requirements that could be fulfilled by the products in hand.
Following extensive research and design, products are tested in both automated settings as well as in the hand of users in real life working environments – ensuring the term ‘tried and tested’ is part of the norm.
We use a Tension Meter, for example, to measure the tensile force needed to pull out brush filaments – this ‘pull test’ is performed against relevant competitor products on a regular basis to ensure requirements are met for no filament loss.
Hannah Jones, International Product Manager for the UK, recently completed a testing project that took several weeks, comparing Hamilton products to others in the UK market. “We not only want to ensure that our Hamilton products perform as our users expect them to, but we also want to ensure they are outperforming comparable products too. This can take quite a lot of resource and investment, but is crucial in allowing us to build a range that delivers as is expected from a brand such as Hamilton.”
Sarah Coussens, Trade Brand Manager, adds that “we don’t just want to communicate lip service when it comes to how our products deliver – we must always be able to back up those benefits with appropriate insight and testing. Such laboratory settings allow us to strip away any bias and focus on real results.”
Tried and tested
Automated technology is by no means the only reliable testing method employed regularly by our team – getting real users with products in hand is even more important.
The recent launch of our ‘For the Trade’ range is a prime example of how testing recruitment allowed real users to get their hands on upcoming products and review how well they work and how comfortable they are to use, amongst other feedback.
This anecdotal user feedback allowed for final tweaks and any products to be added to the future pipeline – assurance that products are more than suitable before they are launched into market.
Buy with confidence
We want our users to be able to choose and use their decorating tools with confidence – and this continuous and controlled focus on user insight, testing and development should give you that peace of mind.
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