Combining Function & Promotion
For over 40 years, StockCap has partnered with the world’s leading manufacturers of hoses to provide “hose guards” that not only serve as bend restrictors, but also provide a space for branding the hose.
Collaboration from Start to Finish
When Teknor Apex set out to design its new line of Zero-G hoses, it made sure to include teams from its key suppliers. This unrestricted collaboration helped the team work through design ideas and changes to create prototypes for testing that eventually lead to a successful product launch.
During the development of this product, Stockcap was asked to provide samples and design suggestions for the bend restrictor that would not only prevent kinking, but allow for branding with a high profile logo.
Working with Teknor’s team, StockCap’s designers created the part, chose the material, and set the quality specifications. When challenged with meeting tight tolerances for part dimensions and logo printing location, Stockcap developed production tools and gauges to ensure product quality.
Contributing to Victory
Voted the “Best Garden Hose of 2023,” the Flexzilla garden hose utilizes a flexible hybrid polymer that is both lightweight and durable. This premium hose redefined flexibility for its ease of maneuverability around one’s yard and ability to lay flat without twisting.
To ensure the branding stood out, the hose was outfitted with a color-matched grey hose guard and then printed by StockCaps’ decorating team with a bright yellow ink that matched the hose.
Collaboration
Promoted as a hose that “will not kink under pressure,” Legacy Manufacturing wanted an air hose guard that would extensive protection against kinking and bending.
Given this, the StockCap design team shifted from its typical dip molded vinyl hose guards to create a harder plastic, injection molded bend restrictor.