News Release

Milking profits thanks to council grant

10th March 2010

As Mothering Sunday approaches many mums might be thankful for a gift that makes life easier and one design studio in Aberdeenshire has done just that in the form of a new baby bottle that makes feeding easier – for mums and dads.

Daniel Sutherland Design Studio Ltd was established in 2009 and carries out product design, development, web, graphic design and animation. A council grant helped the young company to launch an innovative baby bottle product at a major industry event.

The company founder focussed his experience in product design mixed with a desire to find an easier solution to feeding his own child and came up with the Milkistar product.

The Milkistar bottle uses a unique design to speed up the cooling and heating process and comes in a variety of shapes and colours.

Daniel Sutherland, 30, of Newtonhill, Aberdeenshire recently launched the product at The Baby Show in London and as a result received interest from distributors around the world who are now investigating the potential of the full product range. 

The design studio has also received orders from online retailers to stock the Milkistar range and is being contacted daily by consumers interested in buying the new product.

Recently shortlisted for a John Logie Baird Award, Daniel developed and refined several prototypes before launching at the show and has been working with a number of development agencies on the project within the last year.

The designer also received a marketing grant through Aberdeenshire Council’s Support for Aberdeenshire Business (SAB) scheme towards stand and marketing materials.

“The grant enabled us to maximise our marketing materials ahead of the show and ensured that we were able to communicate with as many consumers as possible while we were in London.

“This investment in marketing has brought in some fantastic opportunities and is continuing to raise the profile of the product week by week,” said Daniel.

Chairman of Aberdeenshire Council’s Infrastructure Services Committee Councillor Peter Argyle said: "I am delighted that the SAB scheme has helped promote this company's innovative product to major players in the baby care market.

“It’s an interesting venture and is a shining example of the inspirational business talent evident in Aberdeenshire.”

Vice chairwoman Councillor Jill Webster added: “The aim of the scheme is to encourage employment and economic growth and supporting innovation is a vital part of this.

"It’s fantastic the scheme has helped market a new product and I encourage more entrepreneurs to consider applying for the support scheme to boost their business.”

To be eligible for support under the SAB scheme a businesses must demonstrate that the proposal will bring additional economic benefit to Aberdeenshire.

Applications are considered by the SAB panel at regular intervals.

For more information and to find out if your business might be eligible contact senior business development executive Robert Armstrong by calling 01569 768294, by email at robert.armstrong@aberdeenshire.gov.uk or visit www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/support/finance/sab.asp

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