Midland Assembly Network to manufacture two new ski and cycle lock products

Visitors to the Subcon Show, held in Birmingham last week, were given a first look at Loqski (pronounced lock-ski) and Tklamp (pronounced tee-clamp). Loqski is a locking device to prevent the loss of skis and poles through mistaken identity or theft. Weighing just over 250 g and small enough to fit into a jacket pocket, the system works by securing the snow brakes at the point where they cross on stored skis. Two further cuffs retain the poles, while the separate tether provides further flexibility and security. The Tklamp locks the bike at the crank arm and chain stay, ensuring the mechanism fits between the pedal nuts. This makes it impossible for a thief to ride off on it or re-sell it, without causing damage. MAN has been working with Loqski and Tklamp investors for more than 12 months on design and prototyping, and has now been officially chosen to lead on full-scale manufacture over the next six months. This will involve the production of thousands of units in the first year and has the potential to create more than 10 jobs across the two projects. Tony Hague, chairman of MAN, commented: "Innovation has been the bedrock of UK manufacturing for decades, so I'm delighted that we have been chosen to bring two great new products to market. "Both Loqski and Tklamp offer locking solutions that have never been done before and can tap into a potential global marketplace of millions of skiers and cyclists." MAN's Barkley Plastics is the manufacturing lead for Loqski and has been responsible for co-ordinating design, initial prototyping, testing and setting up tooling for volume production. The lock will be made using the zinc die casting process and utilises plastic overmould injection technology, together with precision components from MAN group company Westley Engineering in Birmingham. For the Tklamp, MAN will review the CAD information and Grove Design will fine tune the existing prototype and advise on material selection, and the timing plan for the launch. Tklamp is in talks with a number of leading high-street stores and specialist distributors, with the aim of having products on the shelves by the end of the year. MAN is a collection of 10 world class sub-contract manufacturers offering technical excellence in every aspect of mechanical, electrical and engineering processes. The group, which employs over 650 people and has annual sales approaching £ 65 million, is made up of Advanced Chemical Etching, Alucast, Barkley Plastics, Brandauer, FW Cables, Grove Design, Mec Com, PP Electrical Systems, SMT Developments and Westley Engineering.