A Sit Down with Jason Wilkinson: Innovating Everyday Solutions with 30+ Years of Expertise

Hi, I’m Jason Wilkinson, the founder of Qwickhose. My background is rooted in carpentry and later I moved into property development. I have always had a keen interest in solving practical problems through innovative ideas. My background has honed this skill further; having spent over 30 years problem-solving on construction sites, it is something that has become second nature to me.

Qwickhose emerged from a frustration with traditional hose connectors that hadn't evolved in over 50 years. While I don’t have formal training in product design, my practical experience and resilience have shaped my approach. I worked closely with an industrial design team to bring my vision for Qwickhose to life, ensuring every aspect met both practical and aesthetic goals.

I never set out to be a designer in the traditional sense, I fell into it by trying something new. As it isn’t a field I’m formally trained in the design process was completely new to me however my practical problem-solving skills naturally evolved and kicked into action quickly. I’ve always been driven by the desire to solve problems and improve everyday experiences.

The ability to take an idea from conception and transform it into something tangible, functional, and impactful felt like something that would be incredibly rewarding (it was)! Design has allowed me to combine creative ideas with practicality, and I’m inspired by the opportunity to create solutions that have an impact on people’s lives.

Qwickhose is a family-run business driven by innovation and problem-solving. I (Jason) lead the team as founder and innovator, supported by my wife, Beccie Wilkinson (Director), my son, Brady Wilkinson (Project Executive), and my sister, Michelle Doughty (Business Development Manager). Together, we combine creativity and resilience to tackle challenges, refine designs, and grow the business.

Collaboration is at the heart of Qwickhose, with everyone contributing to all aspects from design to marketing to strategy. We are a small team, and we wear many hats, but we thrive on bouncing ideas off each other to create and market a product that solves real problems.

To me, design, at its core, should feel like a natural extension of the task or surrounding it’s designed for. I believe design should be simple, functional, and user focused. Addressing a specific need or problem while being intuitive and enjoyable to use. Design doesn’t demand attention; it earns trust through its effectiveness.

With my background in construction, I particularly admire designs that are lasting, functional, and user-friendly—like those by brands such as DeWalt, Stanley and Dyson. These products stand the test of time and are designed with the end user in mind, which is exactly what I strive for with Qwickhose. I find myself drawn to products that are problem-solving to make life easier/better, oftentimes robust yet straightforward, achieving meaningful impact without over-complicating the solution.

Good design should solve problems, enhance life, and fit so seamlessly into daily routines; it should almost go unnoticed because it "just works." Not necessarily by standing out but by blending in. At its best, design improves everyday experiences without adding unneeded complexity.

The idea for Qwickhose came from sheer frustration with traditional hose connectors that often failed when needed most. One of my hose connectors popped off while I was using it in the garden, and its bent internal teeth made it nearly impossible to reattach.

At that moment I knew that there must be a better way. This led to a sketch of my idea, numerous prototypes, and countless hours of testing before eventually landing on the Wing-Lock system. Its jaws ensure a secure, no-pop-off connection, setting Qwickhose apart from the rest.

A vivid imagination, experimentation, and the unpredictable nature of water became both the challenge and the overriding driver of inspiration for the design. Fuelled by hands-on experience in construction and the daily frustration of dealing with subpar tools. I wanted to create something durable and easy to use, much like the tools I have relied on in my trade.

Absolutely. Qwickhose was designed in the UK—this ethos reflects our commitment to quality, durability, and problem-solving. Having gone through the design process locally, it also became important during the process that our product was produced within the UK too. Our product range is proudly manufactured and assembled in the UK, ensuring it upholds our values as well as the high standards expected by our customers while supporting the British economy.

Thank you very much! Winning this award is a significant milestone for Qwickhose and a meaningful validation of our efforts as a family-run business. It recognises the hard work, innovation, and dedication poured into our product while giving us credibility in a competitive market.

For our team, it’s a moment of immense pride, a motivator to continue pushing boundaries, and an opportunity to reach more customers and build valuable partnerships.

Qwickhose’s winning entry, the Wing-Lock hose connector, was created to address a common and long-standing issue: unreliable hose connections. Its innovative design prioritises simplicity, functionality, and user experience. It offers a practical design preventing pop-offs with an unrivalled hose connection that is made to last.

We chose to enter the Wing-Lock connector into the London Design Awards because the competition celebrates meaningful innovation with real-world impact, making it the ideal platform to showcase our revolutionary product. This aligns perfectly with Qwickhose’s mission to deliver reliable, real-world solutions that make life easier.

The biggest challenge in designing the Wing-Lock connector was water itself—a notoriously unpredictable force, often behaving like it has a will of its own. These dynamics added complexity to the design process, requiring countless iterations, extensive prototyping, and rigorous material testing to ensure waterproofing, durability, and ease of use.

Early 3D-printed prototypes were particularly challenging due to their porous nature, pushing us to refine critical elements like spigot length and jaw mechanics. Ultimately, working with water’s quirks rather than against them was key to creating the final product.

Additionally, this project required us to navigate a completely new area with a steep learning curve and our fair share of trial and error. Through resilience, collaboration, and a commitment to innovation, the whole team overcame these hurdles to deliver a solution we are proud of.

This award provides valuable recognition for Qwickhose, enhancing our visibility and credibility. It opens doors to new opportunities and partnerships, supporting the growth of our online reach and retail presence. For the team, it's a great boost of confidence in our ability to innovate, setting the stage for growth and future product development.

On a personal level, it’s a proud achievement that highlights all the hard work and effort put in by the team this far, motivating us to continue addressing real-world challenges and driving future growth.

• Solving real-world problems through continuous innovation: It's inspiring to see how new ideas and technologies come together to solve everyday challenges and improve lives.

• Seeing an idea become a physical product: Watching an idea transform into a real, functional product is both rewarding and exciting.

• Collaboration and diverse perspectives: The design process thrives on collaboration, where combining different ideas and feedback leads to stronger, more refined solutions.

Qwickhose sets itself apart in the hose connector category with its innovative Wing-Lock mechanism, addressing the most common frustrations of traditional connectors. Unlike conventional models that rely on fiddly, breakable teeth prone to pop-offs and frustrating connections, the revolutionary Wing-Lock jaws ensure a secure, pop-off-free connection every time.

By focusing on strength and ease of use, Qwickhose enhances the user experience without overcomplicating the design. This perfect blend of practical functionality, reliability, and aesthetics makes it the ideal choice for gardeners, homeowners, and professionals seeking a hassle-free, long-lasting hose connector.

Design will increasingly prioritise sustainability, with a focus on creating functional, eco-friendly, and resource-efficient products. I think user-centric design will take centre stage, with a growing emphasis on materials that address both environmental concerns and consumer needs.

I also see a slow but likely rise in the integration of smart technologies, particularly in areas like garden tools, playing a significant role. This will cater to increasing numbers of tech-savvy consumers while enhancing functionality and efficiency.

Don’t be afraid to experiment and fail—that’s the first step towards success. Trial and error is the best teacher, so make sure to learn the lesson every mistake brings. You won’t always be right, and that’s okay. Start by solving a real problem. Design, test, and iterate with the user in mind, and don’t compromise on quality. Ultimately, innovation will come from curiosity, resilience, persistence, and a willingness to learn.

Networking is invaluable, and studying the design of brands you admire for inspiration. Engage with communities to seek out feedback and learn from the successes and failures of others. Collaboration is a great tool for growth—don’t hesitate to ask for help, embrace feedback, and keep an open mind.

I’ve kept a list of ideas for products/design improvements for over 20 years. Each year, I have crossed off ideas as others brought them to market—until I decided it was time to give one a shot. Qwickhose became the idea I turned into reality by turning frustration into innovation.

Many of our early prototypes didn’t work at all—they leaked everywhere! That failure taught me the importance of persistence and iteration.

Inventors, creators, and problem-solvers who dared to try something new. Their boldness to innovate, fail, and succeed has always been a source of motivation. For example, James Dyson, who developed 5127 prototypes before landing on the winning design of the bagless vacuum cleaner we all know today—if that isn’t perseverance, I don’t know what is.

Don’t wait for perfection—it doesn’t exist. Keep moving, iterating, and adapting. Success lies in resilience and the willingness to learn and evolve from every mistake. True failure is giving up too soon. Without the courage to try something new and persist at it, you will never give yourself the opportunity to succeed.

We are grateful for the opportunity to showcase Qwickhose Wing-Lock Hose Connectors and hope our work and journey inspire others to take the leap to pursue innovation.