Wow! Stuff wins ‘Most Innovative Company’ at UKSPA 40th Anniversary Awards

The prestigious UKSPA award places Wow! Stuff – the only toy company recognised this year – amongst a select group of innovators from various UK industries, making the win even more significant.

Wow! Stuff, has been awarded the Most Innovative Company award at the prestigious UKSPA Awards, held at the UKSPA40 Anniversary Conference on the 17th October 2024.

The UK Science Park Association (UKSPA) promotes the growth of science parks, technology incubators and innovation centres which are essential at driving economic development. Wow! Stuff, located at the University of Wolverhampton Science Park for nearly 15 years, has played an integral role in this ecosystem, consistently showcasing creativity and technological advancement within the toy industry. By hiring and mentoring graduates from the University of Wolverhampton, the company has also strengthened local talent development.

A major contributor to Wow! Stuff’s success has been the introduction of ‘puppetronics’, a new toy category combining puppetry with animatronics. This innovative concept has resonated with both children and parents alike, and led to the unprecedented success of the First Edition RealFX Disney Stitch Edition Puppet that launched earlier this year.

The company says science, innovation and technology are at the centre of all its products, and are considered at all stages – from toy ideation and user intractability analysis to material selection, new production processes, promotion channels and logistics. The company’s continued efforts to push the boundaries of toy technology are a testament to Wow! Stuff’s leadership in the industry.

Nigel Babb, commercial director at the University of Wolverhampton Science Park, emphasised the importance of companies like Wow! Stuff in regional innovation.  “Science parks are engines of growth for economies, and companies like Wow! Stuff are the life blood of these parks,” he said. “Winning the Most Innovative Company Award highlights Wolverhampton’s potential to lead in digital innovation and creative industries, attracting investment and talent to the region.”

Dawn Lavalette, managing director and SVP at Wow! Stuff, commented: “Our talented product team at Wow! Stuff, located at the University of Wolverhampton Science Park, is made up of dedicated scientists and engineers committed to developing innovative toys that inspire awe in children of all ages. Last week, we were honoured to be recognised as the most innovative company among 140 science parks, with our CFO Ewan Gibb accepting the award. A big thank you to Nigel Babb, Liz Taylor, and the Wolverhampton Science Park for your unwavering support. Here’s to many more exciting developments ahead.”

This accomplishment solidifies Wow! Stuff’s position as a trailblazer in the toy industry and strengthens Wolverhampton’s profile as a hub for creativity and innovation.

Published on: 31st October 2024 TOYWORLD