Pub landlord signs multi-million pound deal for baby suit invention
A PUB landlord from Long Melford is cracking open the bubbly after signing a multi-million pound contract for his "lifesaving" invention.
Chris Ebejer, 42, who runs the Melford Inn, said he had a eureka moment six years ago when he woke up on the couch one morning and saw a documentary about babies not being able to regulate their body temperature.
In a flash of inspiration the father of one decided he would design a baby suit that changed colour when the baby's temperature went up.
And now the pint pulling part-time scientist will soon see his 'Babyglow' invention flying out of production plants around the world at more than a million a month
"It's incredible, off the scale. I don't quite know what has hit me at this stage. I'm getting calls from every TV station in the world and this is just the beginning," he said.
"It just came to me when I woke up that morning and I knew I was going to turn this idea into reality," he added.
'Babyglow' took six years and more than 700,000 of investment to get to the manufacturing stage.
Chris spent most of that time with scientists to develop the temperature sensitive molecules which are embedded into each of the cotton baby suits.
East End born Chris, who moved to Long Melford last year with his wife Jane and son Aaron, 17, said he could not begin to gauge the amount of money he would make.
"To be honest, it's not about the money. I'm passionate that this is something that will save babies lives.
The suit will change colour at the first sign of meningitis and it could have a huge impact on cot death numbers and a number of other baby related illnesses."
The suit works by responding to the slightest changes in body temperature which then react with molecules in the cotton.
The 20 garments, which come in pink, blue and green change to white when a baby's temperature rises above 98F (37C).
Chris said: "It has been a long hard road to get here and the Babyglow suit is just the first of many using this technology. I'm already working on a sleeping bag and have lots of plans in the pipeline."
With a 12.5 million deal already signed with manufacturers Quality Workwear 4U in Milton Keynes, Chris is working on deals in the U.S. and is in negotiations with major High Street stores.
Ian Todd-Weller, 57, director of Quality Workwear 4U, said he had never seen a product like it.
"It's such a great idea and from a young parents' point of view who may not have a lot of experience it could be a real help to them," he added.
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Saturday 04 February 2012
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