1. What other application do you envision for the Greptile technology within the sports and leisure market?
3M’s Greptile grip “micro-replication” technology plays an integral role in golf gloves. The product boasts an improvement in distance and drive speed, by requiring less grip strength over a traditional golf glove and apparently works well in inclement weather conditions. The Greptilce grip is offered through 3M’s Sports and Leisure Products business division. Their primary competitors are in the golf glove market are Footjoy, Nike, and Titleist.1
As the case study indicates prior to 3M considering a product innovation for development, the product must meet three specific criteria: 1) be a patentable or trademark-able technology, 2) offer a superior value proposition to consumers, and 3) change the basis of competition by achieving a significant point of difference. In addition to the golf glove, 3M introduced baseball and softball gloves, and has extended the technology to golf club and baseball bat grips.1
3M’s known for providing solutions to everyday problems faced within the sports and leisure market. Initially, when considering new products for both markets 3M has invented or enhanced, it appears the market has reached its capacity. However, one of the keys to the success is 3M invests heavily in research and development (R&D) which is an invaluable way to keep an edge in the growing market for innovative products for the diverse consumer and office business market.2
There are several applications the Greptile technology within both markets, specifically by enhancing product innovation, as its application to grips for bats, baseball gloves, and golf club grips. By applying a similar product innovation to the sports market and apply an innovation strategy to the existing football glove industry. 3M could easily partner with Cutters or Nike to develop receiver and linemen gloves. It’s an easy entry into using the 3M Greptile technology to...