Collar & Leash

The global pet industry is experiencing significant growth, driven by the increasing number of pet owners worldwide. This burgeoning market has fueled demand for innovative and high-quality pet accessories. In 2017, our company received a unique request from a New York-based client to develop a dog leash and collar set utilizing a novel material. The client, unable to provide specific material details, sent us a swatch for analysis. The material exhibited a soft touch and a hand-feel remarkably similar to silicone. Through collaborative research with our manufacturing partner, we successfully identified the optimal chemical composition for this innovative project

Goal

• Soft and supple to the touch for enhanced comfort
• Designed to withstand pulling forces up to 500 lbs, ideal for even the most energetic large breeds  
• Meticulously crafted with attention to detail and precision 
• Durable and stylish D-ring for secure leash attachment

Challenges and Solutions

• The initial material formulation exhibited oil exudation after a period of use, necessitating a revised material composition
• The initial production runs did not meet our stringent quality standards. We addressed these issues through meticulous process improvements and quality control measures
• Establishing a clear standard for the metal components proved challenging due to the lack of specific Euro or American guidelines. The international standard primarily addressed the leash body, requiring significant tooling iterations to achieve compliance. After three tooling revisions, the leash passed the rigorous pulling test

• The D-ring underwent a design evolution, transitioning from a PVC soft-touch coating to a more robust and durable ABS plastic overmolded iron core

Materials

• PVC

• Zinc alloy

• ABS plastic