Brand Spotlight: OXO Good Grips

by Billie Ann Woo

The name and logo are instantly recognizable. But the one thing that really sets OXO Good Grips apart is the feel. When you hold one of their tools or gadgets in your hands, the familiar cushioned ergonomic handles give away their identity in your palm or fingertips. Sam Farber is the founder of OXO and developed the line after noticing the difficulties his wife Betsey had with kitchen tools. He was an entrepreneur in the housewares industry. He found a niche area that he hoped would help others like his wife who had issues gripping or handling objects in the kitchen. He approached the design firm Smart Design and they worked together to develop the first line of OXO products. In 1990, the initial line of 15 items was launched. It was modest but it was the start of a brand that would eventually expand into stationary and bathroom products.

The brand currently offers over 850 products that reach many rooms and purposes – but one thing remains the same: the principle of Universal Design. It is their philosophy of making products that can be accessible to as many people as possible. Different types of consumers with different needs (left or right handed, arthritis or not) are taken into consideration during the design process to ensure that as many people as possible can use a product.

We have our OXO Good Grips favourite tools (mine: Nylon-Tipped Tongs) – which one is yours? Come by to CTKB to check out our selection of OXO Good Grips tools!