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Product Background
Cosco, a subsidiary of Dorel, Inc. is a household name for home, office and other products. The Cosco line of convertible chairs, step stools and ladders are known world wide for quality, durability and meeting the needs of the end user.
The Challenge
 To sustain one of Cosco's heritage products, they needed to address consumer feedback regarding ease of assembly. Catalyst was immediately brought in to analyze and simplify the process. While revitalizing this product for better consumer assembly, the Catalyst Team identified a niche opportunity ideal for Cosco. The design team presented to the Cosco marketing team the idea of re-introducing a retro design with modern improvements to capture an unseen market. The outcome was two products, the first as an easier to assemble modern product, the second a new award winning retro step stool.
The Design
 The primary issue, the difficult assembly process, was quickly analyzed and transformed into a simple process requiring only one tool and fewer steps. However, during the research and development phase, the Catalyst design team realized that there was a grass roots market for retro style step stools from the 1950's. Apparently, the 1950's stool invoked memories of family dinners, checker games and baking cookies at Grandma's house, which was driving this underground market. Upon recognizing this trend, Catalyst presented to Cosco the idea of completely redesigning the step stool to incorporate the look and feel of the 1950's version. Once Cosco agreed, the design process for the new product began. The look and feel of the new step stool is nostalgic in style yet modern feel and function.
The Catalyst Difference
 The Catalyst design team surpasses client expectations at every turn. This time the team turned the simple goal of simplifying an assembly process into a hot new product that is selling off the shelves! That is the Catalyst difference; the ability not only to see the here and now, the vision to see the future, but also to find the answers in the most unobvious places. Seeking new ideas and trends where no one else looks is the Catalyst difference.
Results
The new retro style step stool expanded this product's market, complimenting the improved modern design with a fresh look and more sustainable market position for the company and the brand. Both products are available at Target and the Retro Step Stool has seen strong sales since its inception.
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