New Plymouth based designer and manufacturer Howard Wright Limited has been awarded one of the country’s top design prizes, picking up silver at the national BeST Design Awards – New Zealand designs equivalent to the Oscars.

Howard Wright was awarded silver in the non-consumer product design category at this years prestigious awards – which were held at a glittering black tie awards ceremony, attended by around 500 of the country’s top designers – for the M8 Intensive Care Bed.

Developed in conjunction with healthcare professionals, the M8 Intensive Care Bed is safe and intuitive to use, requiring minimal training and servicing.

A revolution in the hospital care sector, it has full electric functions and X-ray imaging capabilities allowing a full range of procedures to be performed on the bed without the need of transferring a patient.

Largely manufactured in New Zealand both in-house and using local suppliers, the innovative bed features a sliding backrest and leg raise providing greater patient comfort.

Howard Wright is a world leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of medical beds and stretchers, with nearly all of the beds found in New Zealand hospitals having been produced by the company.

Leading industrial designer, Professor Tony Parker, product judging convenor at this year’s awards and Head of the Institute of Design for Industry and the Environment at Wellington’s Massey University, said Howard Wright was a great example of a company that had changed its culture to produce high quality products for its niche.

“The future of New Zealand’s business is likely to lie with companies such as Howard Wright, who combine good design and engineering with market research of a very high international standard.”

Organised by the Designers Institute of New Zealand, The BeST Design Awards recognise New Zealand’s best designs from the past year across the categories of product, graphic and spatial design.

The Best Design Awards were established in 1988 and have been held annually since 1996.