Soda syphon streamlined by Batchelor

Germany-based product designer Mark Batchelor is designing the next generation of fizzy drinks machine for Sodastream to appeal to the “gin and tonic set”.

The Cadbury Schweppes subsidiary wanted to broaden the machine’s appeal and take it upmarket, without alienating the core market of young mothers.

“The main goal was to keep it in the eye of the user and make it more of a kitchen appliance” instead of something which gets shoved in a cupboard, says Batchelor, who runs MB Product Design.

Batchelor has been based in Germany for nearly eight years but is moving back to London to relaunch his business here. “I see potential in the UK,” he says, and plans to recruit two designers.