CEO of OXO International

Alex Lee is CEO of OXO International, a maker of user-friendly consumer products, including the Good Grips like of kitchenware. Under Alex’s leadership, OXO has produced a number of iconic kitchenware items, thirty of which are in the Cooper Hewitt National Design Museum’s collection.

Member Since

Apr 5, 2006

Sites

• OXO

What is the next…

Purchase you’ll make?

A small non-motorized boat to take to my home on Wolf Lake, New York. I’m still researching the features I need that address the function I need in a boat.

Trend in design?

Design trends seem to be quite long but every few years the name changes. The bottom line is: give the user what they want. A "trend" is really understanding latent needs and designing products that meet them.

Car you’d like to own?

I tend to buy one car and drive it into the ground. However, the last time I was looking for a car, I was looking for a hybrid SUV that could tow a boat, which didn’t exist at the time. I’m expecting at any time now there will be one with adequate rear suspension to tow a boat.

Big step you’d like to make?

I just took the biggest step I’ve ever taken: we adopted a daughter. My next step probably will be controlled by her progression and growth.

Fad that will fade?

I hope it’s those uncomforatble-looking pointy shoes for women. It pains me to see women wear them. It’s a classic example of a no-no at OXO: sacrificing comfort or function for aesthetics.

Vacation you’ll take?

I’m really into fly fishing, and New Zealand has been on my list for years. Unfortunately the trout season in there is the busiest time in my business, so I haven’t been able to get away.

Thing you’re going to fight for?

Recently at a housewares show, we had a couple mothers with small children working at the OXO booth who weren’t allowed to bring strollers into the exhibition hall. We’re in an industry where most of the employees and consumers are women. For businesses to have policies that are anti-mother is wrong. If businesses are going to ask women to choose between children and their careers, we are going to lose a lot of assets. As a culture in America, businesses make decisions based on liability, not on assets. But no business becomes great making decisions based on what they can lose rather than what they can gain.

Secret that’s going to leak?

I’m certainly not going to the one to leak it.

Hollywood blockbuster going to be about?

I can’t say. Ever since we adopted our daughter, my wife and I, who were once huge movie fans have been out of the picture!

Life you’ll lead?

A musician. Of course, the underlying message is I would want to be a successful musician!

Fountain of youth?

The continual changing of mindsets. This generation of 60-year-olds is a lot younger than the last one. It’s all in the attitude. Book you’re going to read? I’m reading 1421: The Year China Discovered America

Thing that will change the world?

Wireless electricity. Tesla had identified that way back, but we never invested in it.... Guilty pleasure in which you’ll indulge? I don’t feel guilty indulging! That being said, it would probably be a night out with my wife with no kid. Or better yet an over-night with no kid!

Person to whom you’ll say, “I love you”?

My daughter or my wife.