The Continuing Development of Strong Links Has Received a Further Boost

The continuing development of strong links between Irish and Chinese businesses has received a further boost with the announcement of a strategic partnership with a projected value of €3m, between Invention Services, a Galway-based innovation and business supports company, and Asia’s biggest hand-tool vendor Hangzhou Great Star Industrial Co Ltd. Galway-based innovation and business support company Invention Services has scored a major coup by being appointed European Strategic Partners for New Product Development to global Chinese tool manufacturer Great Star. The partnership will see Invention Services provide new product ideas, business development and innovation support to Great Star as it seeks to add new and innovative products from European inventors to its product lines. Currently, Great Star products more than 30,000 products which are sold in more than 100 countries worldwide, and the company operates 14 factories and employs some 20,000 people. Invention Services founder and senior partner Ollie Walsh commented: "We are delighted to be partnering with such a significant player in the hand-tools market. For a relatively new business like Invention Services, forming a partnership with an established and a leading international business like Great Star is not only a fantastic opportunity to develop new products and businesses, it is also a powerful endorsement of our company and its team. "We already have one product in development with Great Star for the tools market. This is the RamRod, which we have developed over the last five years. We licensed it to Great Star in 2011 and have been working with them to develop the product since. The RamRod was launched in the US last week at the National Hardware Exhibition in Las Vegas and will be in shops by September under the 'Goldblatt' brand. "Our aim is to provide a channel for Irish and European innovators – businesses and individuals - to bring their products to market in partnership with global players and with the support of an experienced team of innovative professionals behind them.” Mr Li Feng, vice president from Hangzhou Great Star, said they were looking for a partner company with the vision and the expertise necessary to help them tap into and support the wealth of innovation and innovative thinking that exists in Europe. "Invention Services initially brought us the RamRod and we could see had global potential. In working with them on the development of this product, we found that they brought us more than just a product idea, they brought expertise in a number of fields. "Since the initial product, they have also helped us to forge links with innovators and businesses in Ireland and Europe that could provide a source of new and improved products for our global markets. "We believe that in partnership, Hangzhou Great Star and Invention Services will help European innovators to build strong businesses and to reach customers and sell products in global markets.” Since the initial introduction of the RamRod, Invention Services has pitched two additional products, both of which are now being developed. Source: advertiser.ie