ABSTRACT
In attempting to achieve a competitive advantage a reduction in time to market offers substantial advantages to manufacturers . By compressing product design timescales, overall costs can be reduced and products launched ahead of those of competitors. Unfortunately , without careful management, reduced leadtimes can also result in substandard products , in terms of both manufacture and design. This is becoming all too apparent as product recall notices appear in the national press with increasing frequency. The reasons for product recall are not restricted to material and production deficiencies. The absence of ergonomic evaluation can result in design-centred product recalls.
