I have an idea for a lightweight sleeping bag system, but need to find a company that I can work with in making the item. Anyone know of a UK company that I could approach / work with in trying to get an example made?
I have made my own bike backing gear in the past, but am conscious that sleeping bags with the baffles are quite complicated to make.
Thanks
Alpkit.
Try snugpak in silsden, I did work experience with them and they're a great . Only issue might be that they only work in synthetic fill, but that might not be an issue.
I've had to have a few fabric things made up for work and tend to use a local seamstress with theatre costume experience. Google should throw a few up or There may be a local notice board website (e.g. http://theatrebristol.net/jobs). There's some very talented people out there and not that expensive. That will get you a working prototype. I suspect getting a proper company involved at this stage will be very pricey for them or you so you need to be able to convince them.
[url= http://www.phdesigns.co.uk/ ]PHD[/url] make custom stuff and have a lot of experience so might be an option, if they have time to talk to you that is.
My concern with using Alpkit or PHD is that they produce garments in the field I am interested in, so would feel rather apprehensive at using them in case they decided to pick up and run with the idea themselves.
Snugpak have a long history of making one-offs, short runs and 'group buys', so I would think they would be perfect.
I have several of their items including hammock over and under quilts, a centre-entry sleeping bag and a 'bottom half' bag to go with a jacket.
Well if you were serious you should get a patent or approach with a legal agreement in place. If you value your idea you should have that in place regardless of who you use, even a back street tailor could steal your idea or sell on to someone else (if you want to be really paranoid about it).My concern with using Alpkit or PHD is that they produce garments in the field I am interested in, so would feel rather apprehensive at using them in case they decided to pick up and run with the idea themselves.