Product development: We solve technical challenges

Whether you have a specific technical challenge or you’d like to build a revolutionary new product, our interdisciplinary team can develop the right solution for your need.

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Solving technical challenges

Product development challenges are becoming more and more difficult to solve. Often, the best solution can be found by looking beyond the initial problem. That’s why the most innovative companies turn to creative, versatile problem-solvers.

Our experience shows that multidisciplinary teams find the most useful and viable solutions. They also often achieve this in a fraction of the usual development time while also ensuring the solution works in practice according to all the most important aspects.

Battery box concept & design

Our work led to the first e-bike with a fully integrated and replaceable battery.

What technical challenge are you facing right now?

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Specific technical challenge vs. new product

Companies like IKEA, Würth, Boehringer Ingelheim and Tetra Pak come to us when they need a solution that functions properly, impresses customers and is cost-effective.

Creaholic often acts as a fire department: technical challenges often need to be solved quickly to keep product development on schedule.

In other cases, a company may want to launch a new product that goes beyond their area of expertise – for example, a pharma company that wants to create a user-friendly dispenser for a type of medication; or a consumer goods manufacturer who wants to reduce the ecological footprint of its products.

Energy-saving technology

Joulia, a Creaholic project that led to a spin-off, recovers the heat energy from the water running down the drain.

Design meets tech: Our path to market-ready

The primary goal of the innovation process is to bring together the essential ingredients – desirability, feasibility and viability – as quickly and efficiently as possible. With our comprehensive know-how, Creaholic can support you with all three. Every project is unique, which is why we adapt innovation methods and tools for your specific challenge and vision.

The innovation process is divided into five phases: dream, concept, validation, realisation and scaling. We start where you need support.

1. Dream: Technical opportunities

In the first phase, we explore the landscape based on how you’ve defined the challenge. For specific technical challenges, we vet all possible technical options. For growth- or sustainability-oriented organisations, we find new uses for existing technology as well as cost-saving and eco-friendly alternatives.

Solutions from other disciplines and industries, scientific studies, trends analyses, existing patents, and cooperation with experts from other areas all serve as promising approaches.

In the first phase, we explore the landscape based on how you’ve defined the challenge. For specific technical challenges, we vet all possible technical options. For growth- or sustainability-oriented organisations, we find new uses for existing technology as well as cost-saving and eco-friendly alternatives.

Solutions from other disciplines and industries, scientific studies, trends analyses, existing patents, and cooperation with experts from other areas all serve as promising approaches.

2. Technical concepts

Now we get creative with sketching, designing and visualising. Brainstorming, mock-ups and tests of some functionalities give us insight into which solutions have the most potential. We integrate relevant and innovative tech to enhance your product with a size, speed and/or cost advantage.

Technology isn’t the only component. With the help of photo-realistic images, ergonomics and design models, the inventions are evaluated in a user-centred way and optimal UX/UI, analogue/digital user interface is developed. Finally, we ensure that the products fit into your company’s design preferences and develop it further where helpful.

Now we get creative with sketching, designing and visualising. Brainstorming, mock-ups and tests of some functionalities give us insight into which solutions have the most potential. We integrate relevant and innovative tech to enhance your product with a size, speed and/or cost advantage.

Technology isn’t the only component. With the help of photo-realistic images, ergonomics and design models, the inventions are evaluated in a user-centred way and optimal UX/UI, analogue/digital user interface is developed. Finally, we ensure that the products fit into your company’s design preferences and develop it further where helpful.

3. Validation: Functioning model

The conception is subjected to tests, such as FEM simulations (structural, thermal, magnetic, etc.), injection moulding flow simulations, and more. We also pay special attention to ensuring the design is suitable for production, assembly and recycling.

To accomplish all this, we use our in-house workshops and labs. We can also use the facilities available in our network through competent suppliers and development partners.

The functioning model is then subjected to extensive testing.

The conception is subjected to tests, such as FEM simulations (structural, thermal, magnetic, etc.), injection moulding flow simulations, and more. We also pay special attention to ensuring the design is suitable for production, assembly and recycling.

To accomplish all this, we use our in-house workshops and labs. We can also use the facilities available in our network through competent suppliers and development partners.

The functioning model is then subjected to extensive testing.

4. Realisation: Near-production prototype

The findings from the tests in the previous phase now make it possible for us to develop a near-production prototype. At this stage we consider the design of the tools that are used, how to make assembly efficient, commissioning, product use and, finally, manufacturing costs. The initial and final tests show us where there is potential for optimisation.

The findings from the tests in the previous phase now make it possible for us to develop a near-production prototype. At this stage we consider the design of the tools that are used, how to make assembly efficient, commissioning, product use and, finally, manufacturing costs. The initial and final tests show us where there is potential for optimisation.

5. Scaling: Refined technical solution

This is where the transition from development to market placement happens. Using experience gained from launching our own spin-off companies, Creaholic knows how to overcome many of the challenges that arise while introducing a product to the market and scaling.

We support our clients on their way to serial production and accompany them in the evaluation of suitable technology and production partners.

This is where the transition from development to market placement happens. Using experience gained from launching our own spin-off companies, Creaholic knows how to overcome many of the challenges that arise while introducing a product to the market and scaling.

We support our clients on their way to serial production and accompany them in the evaluation of suitable technology and production partners.

Patent expertise

Our relentless pace of innovation has resulted in more than 600 patents in over 150 different patent families for our clients and spin-offs. However, intellectual property is more than just patents. It requires know-how and expertise to make our projects stand out.

IP management has become an increasingly important way in which we support our clients. We perform customised IP research, analyses and consulting for existing and new technology, and take this into account in early-stage innovation.

We have been involved in acquiring patents in the following areas:

  • 38packaging
  • 31medical/healthcare
  • 5green technology
  • 14consumer goods
  • 26microtechnology
  • 1telecommunication
  • 1transport & automotive
  • 25industrial equipment
  • 19in progress

Leading companies rely on our know-how

How we develop holistic, cutting-edge solutions

Methodology: Our experience taking on projects for 30+ years includes knowing the most effective and promising methods as well as the fastest ways to develop new technology and non-tech solutions. The crucial detail that makes the difference: your Creaholic Dream Team knows which questions to ask to arrive at the result quickly.

Team & lab: Our team of technical experts covers the most important areas of expertise. To streamline the analysis, conception and realisation processes, we have our own fully-equipped workshop and lab as well as access to external facilities.

Network & suppliers: Nobody wins alone. We have built strong partnerships with industry-leading contacts, research institutes, specialised manufacturers and suppliers. Our powerful and expansive network gives us reliable access to valuable know-how and top-quality material.

Electric drive system

SwissCleanDrive commissioned Creaholic to design, engineer and implement an electric drive system for the hybrid Fiat 500, transforming it into a “plug-in hybrid” car.

Extensive technical expertise

At Creaholic, we work as small interdisciplinary teams put together on a case-by-case basis depending on our client’s needs. This allows us to bring together different skills and perspectives to develop the optimal solution. We have technical expertise in the following areas:

  • Mechanical engineering, microtechnology, mechatronics

  • Industrial design, usability engineering

  • Medical technology, biomedical engineering

  • Ultrasound, piezoelectricity, shape-memory alloys, voice coils

  • Calculations, FEM simulations, flow analysess

  • Production engineering, injection moulding, additive manufacturing

  • Ultrasonic welding, laser welding, laminating

  • Bio-plastics, wood, life-cycle assessments

Do you need support in a specific technical area? We would be happy to tell you if we're a good fit for your project. Tell us briefly what you have in mind.

Telecom technology

Development of an automatic connection device for a telecommunication network to radically improve performance while reducing weight and cost.

Integrating product design

The collaboration between design and engineering is a defining strength of Creaholic's process.

  • Engineers and designers work closely together to ensure our proposed solutions are feasible, usable, and beautiful. This deep-rooted collaboration unites two distinct ways of thinking and working and is an important feature of Creaholic’s product development process.

  • Ideation and concept generation are nurtured in a creative environment where diverse perspectives are embraced. Collaborative brainstorming sessions facilitate the exploration of a wide range of ideas, pushing the boundaries of innovation.

  • Concept evaluation involves rigorous criteria such as feasibility, market potential, and alignment with client goals. By systematically assessing and selecting the most promising ideas, Creaholic optimises resource allocation and increases the chances of success. The chosen concepts then undergo prototyping and validation, with tangible prototypes rigorously tested and refined based on real user feedback.

Putting an innovation to the test

For a solution to be successful, it has to meet customers’ needs in every respect, be technically feasible, make sense from an investment perspective, and make a positive impact on people and the planet.

We take these four perspectives into consideration at every stage of the development process, thus covering all aspects of sustainability.

Where innovation is born

We find the sweet spot of desirability, viability, feasibility and responsibility.

Let’s solve your technical challenge together.

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Awards

Since 1986, we have completed over 1400 projects and have been recognised with a range of national and international awards.

Creating solutions since 1986

Our founder Elmar Mock helped invent the revolutionary Swatch watch. His vision was to develop ground-breaking products through a combination of technical know-how and creative methodologies.

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Expertise & know-how

We have the experts to tackle your unique challenge.

Cross-industry advantage

We explore all areas to find the best solution for you.

Expansive network

We collaborate with competent suppliers and development partners.

Valuable diversity

We build Dream Teams made up of different areas of expertise to boost ingenuity.

Tonino Lanci

Product Mastermind & Polymer Expert

"Bringing technical ideas to life is what I love".

Let's get in touch

Whether it’s new applications for existing technology, a specific technical problem or patent-fuelled inspiration, we look forward to learning more during an initial non-binding and confidential conversation. Let us know what you’d like to tackle.

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Contact us

Creaholic SA
Rue Centrale 115
2503 Biel/Bienne
Switzerland
T +41 32 366 64 44

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