Control Techniques, a variable speed drives specialist, has been named as a finalist at the Market Research Society (MRS) Awards 2013. These prestigious awards are designed to celebrate the ability of market research to drive innovation, inspire change and deliver results.

Selected as a finalist in the International Research category from an extensive list of entries, Control Techniques put forward its study into the ease of drive installation, commissioning and maintenance.

In summary, Control Techniques is adopting a user-centered approach to product development. As a result, in preparation for the development of new variable speed drives for the elevator and HVAC industries, the company partnered with award-winning innovation and design consultancy Kinneir Dufort to conduct a global program of qualitative research and contextual inquiry. The program engaged with the market in an attempt to better understand what is needed to make drives easier to install, commission and maintain. The study was spearheaded by Alison Ollier, Global Market Research Manager at Control Techniques, and Kate Leckie, Head of Research at Kinneir Dufort.

The project enabled a rich understanding of the context of use, from installing HVAC equipment in high-rise blocks in Manhattan to wiring factory control cabinets in Shanghai. In total, over 100 individual usability issues were identified, including culturally-specific findings that are now contributing to the design of products.

MRS is the world's leading authority on research and business intelligence. The winners of its 2013 Awards will be announced at a gala dinner on 9 December at Park Plaza Westminster Bridge, London.