A MANUAL to help firms develop innovative products has been produced by Forfas. Competing Through Product Development was written by Mr Dermot Hurst, the engineering manager of Square D, and Prof Eddie O'Kelly of the industrial engineering department of University College, Galway.

The Minister of State for Commerce, Science and Technology, Mr Pat Rabbitte, launched the book yesterday. He said "Far too many of our firms lack a commitment to innovation many still depend on outmoded technologies and low wages to compete in the market place.

Mr Hurst warned that Irish firms supplying components to multinationals would have to develop product development capabilities if they were survive in the long run.