Yale (ASSA ABLOY UK) supply all of B&Q’s Door Furniture - handles, hooks, knobs etc. The artwork style and overall pack format (cardboard with a clear box) was prescribed by B&Q - my task was to work out how to achieve it. My manager set the initial concept of a ‘triangular’ style pack with one handle on the front and one on the rear, but he left the business shortly after and I picked up the project entirely. 

Pictured above: Card Structure

The material - E-Flute corrugated cardboard - and the dieline were developed in tandem to effectively deal with the awkward shape and weight of the handles. B&Q wanted to ensure the customer could see that 2 handles were included in the pack, so a window was added in the rear of the card to see the other handle.

Pictured above: Fixing ‘lug’ and Screw

To effectively hold the handles in place a fixing ‘lug’ and screw system was developed. This design was later patented as such an innovative solution. For lighter handles, a further lug was developed which eliminated the need for a screw. This of course reduced cost of the packaging where possible.

On some lower-end models, B&Q also made the decision to remove the PET box  - not an ideal solution, but cost-effectiveness won over design value here, and by shrinkwrapping the pack we provided a substantial saving.

Pictured above: The Full Range

The structural pack and artworks had to be implemented across over 100 SKUs, all different styles, shapes, sizes and finishes, and each one approved directly with the B&Q buyer and the brand team.

Pictured above: Door Knobs

An example of the other variants that had to be catered for - the door knob packaging was a completely different dieline and assembly but still fit in with the rest of the range. The one pictured above is part of the B&Q ‘Select’ range of premium products.