New Plymouth-based medical bed manufacturer, Howard Wright, has won the 2010 Australian International Design Award of the Year for its M8 Intensive Care bed.

The Australian International Design Awards is a division of Standards Australia and one of the world's most renowned design assessment programs, recognising product design and innovation excellence. Winners were announced in Sydney on Friday 4 June 2010.

Howard Wright's M8 Intensive Care was recognised for its outstanding design, attention to detail and innovation. The M8 is cleverly designed to reduce patient handling and risk of injury by allowing for a wide range of medical procedures to be performed without the need to transfer the patient from the bed.

Unique design features include the ability to convert the bed into a full cardiac chair and the inclusion of a fully radiolucent deck enabling X-ray imaging capability without moving the patient.

The Design Awards judges were impressed by the attention to detail given to all aspects of the bed, from the aesthetics, materials choice and functionality through to the safety and comfort considerations for all users including patients, health practitioners and hospital staff.

"Superb functionality, soft-touch surfaces and inviting aesthetics are the culmination of a ground-up, human-centred approach to design. For a low production run product, the M8 Intensive Care bed represents the work of an exceptional company driven to lead by design," said the judges.

"The Australian International Design Awards recognises product design and innovation excellence available on the Australian market. To win the Australian International Design Award of the Year, a product needs to demonstrate outstanding design across six criteria including innovation, functionality, visual appeal, manufacturing quality, ergonomics and safety, and environmental sustainability. The M8 Intensive Care exceeded all the criteria," said Stephanie Pemberton, Program Director of the Australian International Design Awards.

Ms Pemberton added the judges were impressed by Howard Wright's commitment to design as integral to the company's business growth strategy.

"Investing in better product development as a result of participating in the New Zealand Government's "Better by Design" initiative in 2005 has helped to lift the company's performance."

Additional features of the M8 Intensive Care bed include: * fully electric functions with onboard rechargeable battery * sliding backrest and leg raise capability- providing greater patient comfort * fold down ergonomic side rails with gas strut assisted raising * integrated bed extension and linen rack * telescopic pillars at either end of the bed and asymmetric design * central locking and braking system and fifth wheel for easier manoeuvrability.

Other New Zealand-designed products recognised in the 2010 Australian International Design Awards include: Optiline Sheep Drencher (designed by Simcro and Novartis Animal Health), Be task chair (designed by Formway Design) and Maia Shower and Vitamin C dechlorination canister (designed by Methven).

For a full list of winners, visit www.designawards.com.au