Overseas sales soar for Kite table

The North Yorkshire firm that created the famous ‘Kite’ conference and business table is flying high when it comes to capturing overseas sales.

ABF Europe, based in Hunsingore near Wetherby, first introduced the revolutionary Kite table system into the international market four years ago when sales took off in the United States. Since then the Kite has scarcely touched the ground.

The Kite table is the brain child of managing director Darren Buttle and creative director Mike Pendergast and is protected by numerous international granted patents.

Darren said: “We knew the Kite table was going to make waves in the business world as its unique design caters to every aspect of the business/ training environment from how and where delegates sit to how they engage with each other as well as the presenters and trainers. Its innovative kite shape can be adapted to accommodate anything from 20-30 delegates in boardroom style to more intimate meetings with just a handful of people. It also meets government requirements for wheelchair users as the height and legs can be adjusted. But for all its complex design, it’s a simple easy to understand product – the tables can be easily folded up or down and easily maneuvered by just one person.”

Since the beginning ABF Europe has been working with UK Trade & Investment both at home here in North Yorkshire and with UKTI’s overseas staff based in the embassies overseas.

Darren commented: “We talk regularly with UKTI’s Peter Tweddle at the Business Link. He’s given us a lot of advice and support and he’s also pinpointed programmes and funding schemes that have been a real help to our overseas business. For instance it was Peter who helped us commission a market report on Australia from the UKTI staff based there. Australia is a long way to go to make the wrong connections and the Overseas Market Information Service (OMIS) report gave us some good quality information on our business prospects over there. It was like a starter pack that set us out on the right track. After that it was up to us.”

With a distribution facility now in Brisbane and dealers opening all across Australia, ABF has found that the synergy with UKTI services works so well they had no hesitation in using them again when they set up an office in Hong Kong six months ago.

Peter Tweddle, international trade adviser at Business Link in York, identified Yorkshire Forward’s Targeted Export Support Scheme (TESS) to help with research to establish the Hong Kong office. Peter commented: “It’s early days yet, but the new office in Hong Kong will naturally give ABF access to other countries in Asia. My colleague based at the British consulate there is having regular meetings with the ABF office in Hong Kong and making sure that they are well keyed into the business networking circuit there. But whatever support we can offer here in Yorkshire and through our overseas network, in the end it comes down to the drive and confidence of the company itself. ABF has got plenty of both and this together with a fantastic product is what ultimately will win them orders.”

Meanwhile the company has commissioned another OMIS report on Dubai and after exhibiting at an international trade show there in February this year the company plans to open an office there too.

Added Darren: “The next few months are going be to be extremely busy for us. It seems that the whole world is now waking up to the benefits of the Kite table sytem. With its psychological, ergonomic and environmental benefits, people are realizing that it’s not just a table but a whole new way of working. Peter Tweddle has been particularly instrumental in our Dubai project and having lived and worked there himself, he was able to provide us with vital cultural information about the country.”

Despite design awards and business accolades for the Kite table Darren is adamant that what really counts is the company’s attention to detail and its good service which includes helping clients learn how to the use the table system for the best business results.

He concluded: “Mike and I have become quite expert in the dynamics of good meetings and training sessions. The table has become a kind of teaching tool in itself. After all we all know that good teamwork leads to good profits and the Kite encourages eye-contact and the maximum engagement of everyone within the meeting. Put simply, the Kite table is good for business and this is a message that can be understood in any language and culture.”       

• www.kitetables.com

Contact: Darren Buttle on 01423 358110 or Darren@abfeurope.com

UKTI contact: Peter Tweddle on 01904 656769 or 07720 072872 or peter.tweddle@blyny.co.uk