The active investment by Rocla Plc in design is producing results. The company won the main award in the revamped Fennia Prize 2007 Grand Prix with the design of the electronic Humanic reach truck. The prize, which is worth 15,000 euros, was awarded in February.

The Fennia Prize, which is awarded every other year, is the most prestigious design competition in Finland and also one that is recognized abroad. Taking part in it are companies that produce designed goods or use design in other ways in their operations.

Rocla raised design into an important strategic position four years ago and hired its own designer. The starting point for the product development and design of the Humanic reach truck, which won the Grand Prix award, was its users.

"The main features of the design are usability, reliability, simplicity and functionality. These are the qualities that the prize jury said are realized with insight in the design of the user-friendly Humanic forklift truck," says Petteri Masalin, the Design Manager.

High-standard competition

This year some 70 products competed for the main prize. The jury considered the standard of design among the competing companies to be high. In addition to the main prize, 16 honorary mentions and four Fennia Prize 2007 awards of five thousand euros were made.

Meant for adult students, the Flip chair and table, which are stackable and can be joined in rows, brought the Fennia Prize to Huonekalutehdas Korhonen, a furniture company. Halti Oy's winning products, ergonomic jackets and backpack, represent new production technology.

The PaloDEx Group Oy's dental X-ray equipment received the prize for their design and technical qualities. The service concept for the house and leisure-home market brought victory to PlusArkkitehdit, a firm of architects.

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The starting point for the product development and design of the Humanic reach truck was the users.