I am currently at the workshop and having a great time.  It is always hard work when I’m here, usually I work 14 hours a day and straight through a seven day week (most the factory work with me at the same time to make the most of my trip) so next week I’m sure there will be A LOT of exhausted people at TD.  It’s worth it however.. I just love seeing things happening so quickly.  The atmosphere is brilliant.  

I type this sitting at my desk and I just had to snap this picture.  It might not mean much to you, but what I see if 5 new designers, a new Russian mathematician (to help with workflow algorithms in Supertool) a new production manager and.... (you would need video for this) a lot of hard working people! So I felt moved enough to take this picture.

 Anyway, on to other things.  I just did a little tour of the production lines and thought you might like to see these snaps.

1.       This photo is of a frame currently in production, for one of the most famous people in the world.  ARRRR I can’t tell you who it is... I’m not allowed.  If all goes well, I’ll be able to upload some snaps from a magazine or two later this year.

2.       This is something rather exciting (if you are a sad spectacle designer like me) our first 4 layer laminated horn.  Brilliant.  The quality is really getting there.... how did we manage this minor feat?

3.       This is my new baby.  As with most the machines in the factory, we made this ourselves.  Since I don’t want to give away the entire design of the machine,  I took this slightly distorted photos of our HORN laminating device.  Lovely!

Looks like we will be launching Horn this Summer after all..... assuming I can find room for it in our production schedule (Bespoke is growing on a weekly basis.... I’d laugh and rub my hands together if I had time....) poor old horn frames will just have to wait their turn..... but they will be soooo good!

What a fantastic show.  It just gets better and better for us. 

Last Munich I spent half the show saying sorry to Opticians.  This show its like we are the special guests at the party. 

Not only are our existing customers coming over with big smiles (and lots of orders) they are bringing their friends over, it is like we are some kind of best kept secret.

I will let the pictures speak for themselves.  We are busy busy busy!!!!! (best show ever for new accounts and sell through!)

woo hoo!

Since I have just got the internet connection working (see video blog in a few days for details of the pain) I thought I would test it and post a quick report from the front line....

They messed up the lighting and so I made them take it all down (didn't go down well!!!)

Here's the crack team putting together the collections. (Chintiu Bespoke training and Aukje, Customer service)

Not that you can see it from this photo (the frame I am holding) but the workshop has done an amazing job on the new collection.  I know I always say the quality is perfect but as I hold a new S-joint (6 months in R&D) it is perfect....

In fact, while I am feeling so good about our production (really really well done guys!) you might want to see our delivery figures for December.  Over 94% on time!!  With over 1023 bespoke frames (a record month... Jan 09 was 106 frames... so you can see how it is growing) only 60 people had delays.  Not that I don't feel bad about the 60 people but frankly you can't change the weather and as for the rest of the delays.... well, I can only say that it hand made afterall!

Bloody good work everyone!

Happy new year to one and all.  I hope 2010 brings you all happiness and good health.