Reason washing machine
The Reason washing machine is a new, Eco friendly design of washing machine, invented by the architect Andrew Reason.
Development
Mr Reason suffered a back injury when playing rugby. He then read a Sunday supplements article that asked 40,000 people what they wanted from a washing machine. "At the top of the list was a larger door for easier loading and unloading", he said. Reason sketched plans of a machine with a drum which slides out when you open the washing machine door to allow easy access. He added green features; the machine automatically weighed the washing to dispense exactly the right amount of water and detergent, and instead of a concrete base, the water used for the wash acted as ballast. Reason stated that "[he] had already spoken to most of the major manufacturers and they said it was a great concept but we don't really want it now". Reason and his team in Pembrokeshire, Wales claimed that the machine could clean clothes using less energy and water, and was easy to load.
In February 2002, Andrew Reason Limited was incorporated.
Launch
The product was launched in January 2009, with the slogan "The best washing machine ever made?"; by March 2009, they employed 11 people.The first 200 machines were auctioned on the internet, and the company aimed to build 100,000 more by the end of 2010. A production line was created to meet demand, which the company anticipated would require 150 people. Mr Reason said Pembrokeshire had inspired his team; "The fact that we're making it here and keeping it here is a driving force for me because this is where I live, it's my home, it's where my colleagues live," he said. "We know that anything that goes out of this factory, we know how it's being made, how it's being assembled." At this time (May 2009) no review or test machines appear to have been made available to journalists, since there are no reviews of the machine. The company held an auction for the first 200 machines made, perhaps when they are delivered an independent review may emerge. At this time the company does not appear to respond to queries from at least one of the auction winners. Washing machine production in Wales suffered two major blows in 2009; the Hoover plant in Merthyr Tydfil ceased production, and closure of the Indesit factory in Bodelwyddan, Denbighshire was planned.