That was just not enough for Peter Lendrum and Manny Sandler. The engineering duo wanted to create, design and manufacture innovative products. They wanted to help people who had ideas, but not the skills, so they started Inventor Pty Ltd.
Less than one year after completing their degrees in Mechanical Engineering at UWS, the entrepreneurs opened their business which takes concepts and ideas through the design, finalisation, and manufacturing process.
Peter explains that clients often have a design idea, but may not understand the different specification requirements, or the process involved with taking a product to the manufacture stage. “This is the gap we fill,” he beams.
“We really worked well on projects together while we were in university. In third year we had a small conversation about how good it would be to design cool, innovative products but just didn’t pursuit anything,” said an enthusiastic Manny.
Manny went on to work in a medical devices company, and Peter took on an internship with an engineering company in China. In the short time they were working in other businesses the pair both realised they were not in full control of the design and manufacturing process of products and projects.
“Manny called me in China. He said he did not find a role he was passionate about, and we spoke about the idea to start our own business. The timing felt right and we decided to give it a go,” said Peter.
Manny and Peter wanted to create a design company that caters for a full suite of design and engineering services.
“We are an unusual company that does the industrial design, product development, scientific analysis and manufacturing. Some companies do the product development, but are not able to do the depth of design and analysis required.” said Manny
“What we have created is a niche business that helps clients take an idea and make it into a reality,” said Peter.
Manny and Peter have one mission for their business and that is “collaboration”.
“This is something I feel is missing in large organisations. We want to see the combined brains of industrial design. The more collaboration in design, the better to develop a great product,” says Peter.
Manny adds that the success of a product is a result of many factors. “Design, market research, marketing, everything contributes to how well a product does. That’s exactly what we want to do, develop great products for clients by collaborating with the right people.”
Taking the massive leap to start a business was a big commitment for both Manny and Peter. They jointly juggle all aspects of the business management including accounting, sales, research, and hold down part-time weekend jobs to meet their personal commitments while growing the business.
“We are learning that not everything has to be perfect, it’s okay for things to be messy and we are learning from our mistakes. Everyone told us not to hire staff, but we learned that we don’t have all the skills,” said Peter.
“We want to be the best we can be and despite the advice about hiring staff, we hired an industrial designer to assist us. This gives us the opportunity to explore ideas further and be more innovative,” said Manny.
While most of their designs and products are under confidentiality agreements, some of the products the team have worked on include furnisher items, café accessories and electrical products.
Inventor Pty Ltd suite of services:
* Industrial Design.
* Product Development.
* Mechanical Engineering.
* Scientific Analysis.
* Marketing Research.
* Manufacturing.
Visit: www.inventorengineering.com
