It was with deep regret that we learnt about the sudden demise of Dr Edwin Davies CBE (Eddie) on 11th September. After holding the position of CEO from 1984, Eddie became the Chairman of Strix from 1999 until 2006. Those that had the honour of working with him were inspired by his tenacity and business acumen. His remarkable achievements have helped shape the direction of Strix today.

He was an avid football fan and lifelong follower of Bolton Wanderers and subsequently became its owner. He also had a passion for art and along with his wife Sue had five galleries named in their honour at the V&A museum. Eddie was awarded the CBE for his charitable services in 2011, adding to his previous OBE for services to industry.

An amazing philanthropist, businessman, art and sport lover, Eddie was a thoroughbred of men and and will be sorely missed by those that knew and loved him.
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Strix has entered into a collaboration with a leading global consumer product company, based in the USA, to develop a new range of coffee machines utilising Strix's proprietary technology.

Specifically, the Company and its partner will focus on developing a new appliance that will produce a single cup of high quality coffee using Strix's patented technology, in particular benefitting from Strix's knowledge and expertise in relation to temperature accuracy and method of water dispense.

Mark Bartlett, Chief Executive of Strix plc, commented: "We are very pleased to have secured this collaboration and we look forward to working with our new partner on this project. With the support of a global sales platform, this move into a new segment opens up an additional market opportunity for Strix, which to date, has been focussed primarily on water filtration systems and heating technologies for tea drinking, rather than coffee."
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Strix has a portfolio of intellectual property protecting a variety of product features across its product range. The portfolio includes over 150 patents and Strix relies on these and, where they have expired, other IP and unfair competition law to take legal action, both to defend the Company's commercial position and ensure consumer safety. Examples of action taken in the last six months in China and Europe include:

• As detailed in the recent Preliminary Results announcement, the China domestic market has seen an increase in electronic multi-cooker appliances and Strix will launch a revised control in H2 2018 to secure a share of this growth opportunity whilst continuing to defend its existing patented technology. Against this background, Strix brought patent infringement claims against 19 appliances sold by Bears Electric Appliances Co., Ltd to the Shanghai IP Court which was successfully settled as set out below.
• In an example highlighting the different ways the Company can protect its position concerning its older products, Strix brought a claim based on copyright law against Adriaanse Import & Export B.V. and Edco Eindhoven B.V. who had imported kettles into the Netherlands which, according to Strix, incorporated copies of its controls and connectors. The parties subsequently settled matters as set out below.
• Strix continues to monitor growing internet product sales and takes action where appropriate. The Company recently brought complaints of electronic kettle patent infringement to the attention of Amazon which swiftly resulted in five webpages being removed from their platforms across Europe. One vendor, Kinden, settled with Strix as set out below, agreed to replace the alleged infringing electronic kettle control with a Strix product and has since been re-listed.

Mark Bartlett, Chief Executive Officer, commented:

"We take protecting our innovative technology and superior products very seriously, ensuring that customers can continue to trust and rely on products using Strix technology.

"We continually monitor appliances in the market to prevent the sale of products that do not meet international standards or that infringe our IP. We will continue to take further action, as appropriate, reinforcing our market leading brand and ensuring that consumers can benefit from safe, high quality products."
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