The next time you enjoy a glass of water from an eSpring water purification system, thank a coconut.

That’s right, a coconut. Scientists chose coconut shells as a carbon source for our water filters because studies show it works much better than other sources, including coal.

“You can use less of it, and it’s a higher quality,” Amway Research Scientist Karen VanderKooi said. “It’s also abundant and renewable.”

The activated shells are extra porous, which makes them superior at attracting contaminants.

Our suppliers use the charcoal from burned coconut shells, typically used for simple fuel, and treat them with high temperatures to make “activated carbon” granules.  The granules are then ground to a fine powder, pressed into a block and fit right into our eSpring cartridges.

The size range of the powder particles is patented and unique to eSpring, says Karen.

“It’s why the carbon filter can reduce over 140 potential health-effect contaminants and can treat up to 5,000 liters of water before needing replacement,” she said.

Our guest blogger is social media consultant Cami Reister.

Plant manager James Bowman leads reporters through the nutrition products plant

Journalists love to go behind the scenes. The “hard hat” tour is always popular because media can share news on what’s happening before buildings are completed, ribbons are cut and products are produced.  

That’s why we opened the doors today to our $24 million Nutrition Product Plant at our mile-long manufacturing complex in Ada, Michigan. Media toured the state-of-the-art production facility, interviewed our operations leaders and sampled the Nutrilite products that will be made there.  

This is the first time Amway has produced Nutrilite products in Michigan.  The plant will produce our best-selling  NUTRILITE protein powder, sold by distributors all over the world. Other products to be made at the facility  include POSITRIM meal replacement powder, ACTIVE 8 powder drink mix and INVISIFIBER fiber packs.  

Another first is an innovative work system designed by and for employees at the new plant, including a new work schedule and long-term career path.  Nutrilite employees in California worked closely with the Michigan team to transfer knowledge and processes.  

For this tour, instead of hard hats, media donned safety goggles, lab coats and hair nets to tour the three-story facility.  

We’re taking our No. 1 brand to even higher heights. Learn more on Mlive Media, WZZM and our global newsroom.

YouTube Direkt

The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in January is where people find out what’s hot, what’s new and what’s next.

The DIY Network on December 28 and 30 is looking back at the “cool tools” showcased at the 2011 CES – including our own Fulton Innovation eCoupled wireless power technology.

But if you want to preview what’s new for 2012, check out eCoupled CES preview here or by watching the video below.  It shows how the applications of wireless power have gone from cool to coolest.

YouTube Direkt

Software developer Samson Shirazpour takes you inside Nutrilite’s packaging department to show you the latest automated technology that ensures quality and consistency in every bottle.

If you visit Amway’s World Headquarters, you’ll see wall after wall of patents awarded for work on Amway products.

That innovation was recently recognized when The Patent Board placed Alticor, Amway’s parent company,  18th among the top 50 companies in its Consumer Products Industry Scorecard.

Alticor had the highest research intensity score  - patents with above average science linkage – in the top 50 and was ranked 4th in science strength, 7th in industry impact and 18th in technology strength.  

The list was published on The Wall Street Journal online.

Amway’s track record of creating innovative products is no accident…it’s the result of an ongoing investment in innovation in Research & Development.

Consider how these numbers add up to an innovation equation:

• A total of 65 R&D labs worldwide
• More than 700 scientists and technicians (with 100 advanced degrees among them)
• More than 900 international and domestic patents and more than 800 patents pending
• More than 200 published papers
• More than 75 university associations and 85+ trade association memberships 

Amway focuses on  ”open innovation” in emerging technology areas to partner with hundreds of organizations, universities, suppliers and consultants around the world.

It all adds up to a lot of innovation in a lot of places – and bringing the best thinking anywhere to Amway’s health, beauty and home brands.

Things really heated up at the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES 2011) last week in Las Vegas.

For our Fulton Innovation eCoupled wireless power brand, you might even have said things were really cooking.

That’s because the eCoupled exhibit at CES featured applications of wireless power in the kitchen,  where the technology can create a shopping list based on what’s on the cupboard shelves and even heat the soup you bought for dinner.  In its packaging.  

Not hot enough for you?  How about a wirelessly powered car?   eCoupled’s CES display  featured a Tesla that was powered by a charging mat that could be installed in a garage or carport. 

It also works on slightly smaller vehicles.