PREVENTING A PR NIGHTMARE: CATCHING A CRITICAL SAFETY FLAW IN A SMART HOME DEVICE

Client: NexusTech, a fast-growing startup launching its first smart coffee maker.

The Challenge: NexusTech had designed an innovative, app-connected coffee maker. Their contract manufacturer in China had a good reputation and provided passing self-conducted test reports. With 10,000 units ready to ship to their Kickstarter backers, the CEO had a last-minute doubt and called Hawood for a final pre-shipment inspection.

Hawood's Solution: We deployed an inspector with specific expertise in small-appliance safety standards (UL, CE).

Enhanced Failure Mode Testing: Beyond the standard checklist, our inspector performed a "fault condition" test, simulating a power surge and a blocked water line.

The Discovery: Under these stress conditions, the heating element failed to cut off correctly, causing the external casing to reach temperatures that could cause user burns—a clear safety violation and recall-level defect.

Immediate Containment: We issued an immediate "Fail" report with video evidence and halted all shipment preparations.

The Result:

Averted a potential mass product recall and serious consumer safety incidents.

Prevented an estimated $500,000+ in recall costs, lawsuits, and irreparable brand damage.

Provided NexusTech with the evidence needed to force the factory to re-engineer the safety cutoff switch at their own cost.

Client Testimonial: "That one inspection saved our company. Hawood's expertise saw the risk our own team and the factory missed. They are the most valuable insurance a hardware startup can have." - CEO, NexusTech