Davison International Inc., a 285-employee company that designs and creates kitchen gadgets, toys and other consumer products, relocated in 2006 to a 61,000-square-foot building in Pittsburgh, Pa. Its interior, which followed a year-long, $5 million renovation, is intended to encourage creativity and a positive attitude among staff. One third of its inventions are its own creations. The remainder are commissioned by third parties.
Inventalot
Courtesy Davison
This castle, Inventalot, has a round table for meetings. The staff has created
products sold at Wal-Mart Stores Inc., Lowe's Cos., Sears Holdings Corp., and
other retailers. Plans to shutter as many as 120 Sears and Kmart stores should
have little impact on the firm, it says.
Pirate Ship
Courtesy DavisonStationed aboard the pirate ship are a handful of product designers who
specialize in children's toys. The ship is made of several varieties of wood.
The poles holding up the sails are recycled telephone poles.
Giant Shoe
Courtesy DavisonThis giant shoe is a work space intended to inspire ideas for new baby
products. The company uses dummy babies to test the car seats, strollers and
bottles it creates.
Animal House
Courtesy DavisonThe blue house is where Davison staff researches and designs pet
products like the Hydro Bone -- a rubber toy that releases water as the dog
chews, and which sells for around $10. In the top window is a giant tank
containing live saltwater fish.
Courtesy DavisonInside this racetrack, Davison staff brainstorm automotive products, such as the
Hover Creeper, a wheel-less platform that mechanics lay on to work under cars.
In their free time, some employees race cars on the track.
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