Should OXO Good Grips extend their product line?

Question

I'm currently working on a design project revisiting the OXO brand and I hope those of you who are familiar with OXO products can provide some insight! OXO products are generally durable, ergonomic, functional and targeted to everyone – if OXO extended their product line to other areas such as flashlights, lighters or even hand tools for repairing things at home, would anyone be interested? Why or why not (considering the advantages OXO has)?

Also, what are your thoughts about their Greensaver product line? Good or bad experiences? http://greensaver.oxo.com/

Answer

I don't like the brand. I do everything in my power to buy non-chinese products...so, no, I wouldn't be interested.

Answer

Your questions sounds more like a product endorsement. OXO is ok but not what I would consider high quality products, but not bad for made in China standards. Like Pirendeus, I too go above and beyond to avoid products made in China when it comes to kitchen appliances.

I've been a wood worker and DIYer for decades and the last thing that market needs is another made in China line of tools. 

I've worked in industry for over 40 years and watched the American manufacturing base shipped to China over the course of that time, so I'll pay what it takes to buy US or EU made products. If OXO wants my business they'll need to relocate their manufacturing base. Just my personal opinion.

Answer

Greensaver seems like an interesting idea but I'm not a fan of the idea of having a 90-day consumable filter :-/ Would love to see more reviews on how it performs compared to the vegetable saver bags that also work by the same principle of ethylene removal.

Answer

My biggest problems with the OXO stuff is some of the "good grips" and "soft works" products I've owned. The soft handle materials tend not to be too durable. They're prone to melting for example. But many of those I've encountered have one big draw back. At least on the older stuff the physical handle doesn't extend through the whole of the soft grip. The soft grip is a sort of sheath placed over a short, hard plastic plug. So the grip spins, loosens, falls off, and retains water after washing. The only product I still own with this flaw is an ice cream scoop. It seems less common on the newer products.

Other than that most of the oxo products I've used have been great. Durable, and more importantly functional. The potato ricer is brilliant. My can opener works better than a dozen other brands I tried first. So it's only nit picks. I find the tongs too bulky, and not appreciably better than cheap wincos from the restaurant store. Many of the plastic tools lack durability (I had a whiskey with plastic tines that eventually crumbled). Etc.

If there is one thing I'd like to see OXO do it's put out a line of higher quality tools, especially without the chunky rubber grips. The one thing they excel at is things that actually work, there's a practically and reliability of function there that's difficult to find in cheap and mid priced mass market kitchen tools. I'd happily pay a bit more for stuff that was all metal. With either a more utilitarian, or more "designy" aesthetic. And better longevity. I can find that sort of stuff already, but I've either got to step up to pricey brands. Or make a special trip to the resto store to pick through tools of varying quality and find the good ones. 

I don't think I'd be interested in tool tools, or flashlights lighters etc from OXO. It's trivially easy to find functional, practical screw drivers wrenches and what have. Even cheap. The market is flooded with decent flashlights. I don't know what OXO could bring to the table. And their signature soft rubber grips and light weight plastic construction would be a liability rather than as asset. I don't need to be torquing on a stuck screw and have my screwdriver's handle shifting around. Or have a tool that can't be exposed to oil, solvents, or heat.

I was more excited by my recent discovery of the stick blender. That's an area where OXO could really bring improvements. Even pricey kitchen appliances often don't work, due to lack of thought and practical engineering. And the stick blender is getting reviews that show OXO have avoided that trap.


The greensaver? Doesn't strike me as worthwhile. Tons of similar products on the market. None that I'm aware of actually work under proper testing. And I'm not sure the central conceit is even valid. It looks like an as seen on tv product. Potentially not solving a problem that potentially doesn't exist. The issue isn't neccisarily that food spoils too fast. The issue is that people aren't cooking/eating what they buy. In my experience give them an extra couple days and they just have a couple extra days to not eat/cook those things. 

So what I'm seeing is a dubious product, wrapped up in marketing speak about saving money, environmental messages, and other lifestyle/moral concerns. Where I'm supposed to buy multiples (like Tupperware for things that don't go in Tupperware), there are multiple parts to lose or break. And I have to continually buy filters. It looks kind of scammy and (as I said) infomercial like.

Answer

I've got several OXO items and have seldom been disappointed in them. I specifically go for the Good Grips line. In my 40's and 50's, I liked the soft grippy handles, now in my early 60's I have more appreciation for the bulkiness that reduces hand strain. I've tried many can openers, but always come back to OXO, specifically the locking one with lid catch, it's brilliant. Other winners are the ice cream scoop, pie server and tongs (the locks never pinch as some cheaper ones do). I wouldn't mind seeing a lighter, because those can be a pain (literally) for those with arthritis.

I like the rectangular shape of the Greensaver line for greens, which is a nice change from bulky salad spinners. Still, I wouldn't be likely to purchase it because I wash my greens as I use them, and seldom have problems with rot.

Answer

Tools and flashlights with oxo like grips are available in my local hardware stores.

Answer

Durable? The salad spinners are not. 
I'd like to see a jar opener that works well. 

I'd rather see OXO improve kitchen products. The can openers are nice they always rust! It's frustrating to see such a nice design ruined by cutting corners on materials. Use better materials and make a rust free model and price it appropriately. It may not need to be stainless steel steel, maybe better plating could do the job. People who buy OXO are not looking for the cheapest items. They expect good design and quality. 

I would not consider tools, lights or lighters from OXO. To me, those sound like items you see at the checkout at Home Depot...junk, impulse buy items that could cheapen the OXO brand. 

If they want to expand their product line, consider a premium line with better materials. Consider colors to match the way people color coordinate small appliances, Dutch ovens and so on. Look how people get over limited edition colors on kitchen items. Offer special edition wedding sets to lock people into the brand. 

There are lots of possibilities in kitchen items. Dinnerware with ergonomic handles...

I haven't used greensaver products.

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Should OXO Good Grips extend their product line?

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