The inevitable evolution for external development:
strategy +
design +
engineering + manufacturing
It is a new process based on proven methods to develop products externally better, faster and safer. Basically, you contact us and, based on your goals, we define with you the right development strategy to achieve it.
We conduct an audit of your factory in China prior to any design work, so our designs can be easily and profitably manufactured. We design your products in all their details, including their packaging, UI… with a full business and design to cost approach.
We then manage the engineering and the certification of the designs in close relationship with your factory. We take care of everything and give you detailed reports at all steps.
Finally, we manage all the manufacturing in your factory in China and have your products delivered to your warehouses.
We can even help you on the product launch…
What we do
“Every business project involves many successive steps until it is realised, but also requires a wide variety of different expertise throughout its execution.”
Development strategy
Sometimes, it is hard to know for sure what new product to develop for the next years. Lack of new ideas or time to innovate? Looking for new business opportunities?
We are here to bring you our expertise and our impartial external eye and fresh perspective. We brainstorm internally, then in a joint effort with your teams.
Diagnostic
New business opportunities
Business model rethinking
Boost strategy
Brand strategy
Brand/products DNA Identity
Distribution strategy
Pricing strategy
Communication strategy
Project requirements
Industrial design
Knowing your market & costs is very important! But if your products are not standing out on the market…
We design any kind of product and our pragmatic & creative approach will provide you with great designs, all tailored for European taste. We work in the respect of your cost constraints and we make sure that your products will stand out from your competitors the right way.
Product / industrial design
Service design
Packaging design
Retail design
Prototyping
Technical & manufacturing follow-up
Perceived quality control
Prototyping
Because physical models are the best to test and improve any designs, it is crucial to test all designs with mock-ups and prototypes.
We take care of everything, so you just need to wait to receive the prototypes and our reports on modifications to conduct in order to improve each design.
Mock-up/Prototyping strategy (types, quantity, tests, order of tests…)
3D files preparation
Quotations
Execution
On-site follow-up
Mock-up/prototypes analysis
Report on modifications to conduct
Delivery of mock-ups/prototypes
Validation of modifications
Execution of modifications
Engineering & certification management
You have good designs? Cool! But that is not enough, as your customers do not buy nice designs, they buy good products for a price.
We are here to help you optimise your designs in all their details so they can be easily manufactured, in a relevant way and at a reasonable cost. We advise, guide and assist your factory in all the development stage, including the certifications.
Requirements & certifications
Engineering evaluation
Cost evaluation
Design optimisation
Engineering management (mechanic,
electronic, electric, optic, software)
Prototyping
CAD of mould management
Manufacturing & export management
We designed / optimised / engineered your products with your factory, so now it is time to bring your new products to life!
We advise, guide and assist your factory to manufacture everything, including the packaging. For you, it is all stress free as we are here to support and control the process, but also report to you in an efficient and transparent way. And in a cost-efficient way.
Mould manufacturing management
Mould verification
First shooting samples
Optimisation of production lines
Golden samples
QC controls
Export
Custom clearance
Shipping
Marketing advice & support
During the development & manufacturing of your product, you need to develop all your marketing elements, from a catchy product name to the perfect advertising.
Because we were working on your product since the very beginning, we can either support you (we make for you) or advise you (we tell you why and how you could improve), so you can have the right marketing elements to give the best chances for your product to be a success.
Design genesis (for social medias/communication)
Product naming
Product photoshoot (for packaging, website, ad)
Owner manual design
Design award application (we take care of everything for you)
Additional cosmetic range
Packaging
Advertising or product web page
Our practice so far…
“Wait! For a company established in 2019, how can you already have such a start?” you might wonder. It is pretty simple: Nickel-Chrome was built by 2 teams coming from 2 experienced companies. When Nickel-Chrome started, our existing clients supported us as they believed in us and our new concept.
Year of establishment
Existing clients who switched with us
Design awards
Ongoing projects
Designed products (final design + proposals)
Prototypes
Manufactured products
Coffee or tea mugs (a fun estimation here…)
Our latest work
(that is non confidential)
Our evaluations
After every project we ask our clients to evaluate us on objective criteria, in regards to both the quality of our service and our performances. We update our results every trimester.
- Development strategy — 85%
- Industrial design — 97%
- User experience design — 90%
- Graphic design — 80%
- Mechanical engineering — 92%
- Electronic engineering — 88%
- Optic engineering — 95%
- Software engineering — 85%
- Prototyping management — 95%
- Packaging design — 85%
- Packaging engineering — 89%
- Engineering management — 95%
- Manufacturing management — 95%
- Transparency — 100%
- Going the extra mile — 91%
- quality of advice / objectivity — 96%
Client testimonials
“Notre expérience professionnelle avec Nickel-Chrome fut très enrichissante. Ils nous ont accompagnés dès le départ à établir clairement tous les aspects du projet et ensuite à l’élaboration détaillée du concept. Que ce soit par leur apport d’idées novatrices, leurs connaissances techniques ou leur sens critique, l’équipe de Nickel-Chrome nous a permis de matérialiser concrètement notre projet. Je recommande leurs services à toute équipe qui souhaite innover en explorant tous les aspects de la conception de produit.”
“Merci pour tous les précieux conseils sur l’importance du Design & du Smart Sourcing, qui ont un impact certain sur le coût global d’un projet !”
“Nicolas (MELAN) had participated as a conference speaker in 2–3 Global Source trade shows in Hong Kong, his sharing was very informative and most audiences found his sharing was an insightful one!”
“Legrand est un groupe industriel qui depuis toujours pratique la croissance externe et lorsqu’en 2006 et 2007, le groupe s’est associé à TCL, puis Shidean (vidéoportiers), nous avons cherché un partenaire en design industriel qui puisse nous apporter un soutien local, faire le lien avec le reste du groupe, et participer à la formation des équipes fraichement intégrées dans le groupe. Nickel-Chrome s’est avéré être un candidat idéal pour notre besoin, et nous avons construit ensemble une relation durable. Ils sont intervenus sur des sujets variés et nous ont aidés à construire une équipe de design solide et pérenne. Les produits dessinés par Nickel-Chrome sont aujourd’hui vendus dans le monde entier sous plusieurs marques du groupe Legrand.”
“The designers of Nickel-Chrome have a good understanding of our market requirements and they create designs with the right balance of style, function, and price. An ideal partner to help you transform your project from an idea to a reality.”