ABOUT KAPOK 88
MAKING ELEVATORS HAPPY FOR OVER 35 YEARS
Guaranteed for a perfect fit
Bespoke or readymade options
easy installation
manufactured in the uk
highest quality materials
Let us show you how we grew the Kapok business to what it is today.
THE KAPOK 88 TIMELINE
35 years of BASHABILITY and how it’s evolved
1980s
Canary Wharf became one of our first customers.
1990s
We developed our Kapok No.1 studs, making it easier for ourselves and our customers to install Kapok drapes.
We out grew our premises and moved again.
2000s
We set our sights on world domination…well, international growth.
We attended Interlift in Germany and this opened doors for us in Europe.
2010s
Our installations team grew elevating our customer service.
We packed our bags and moved again to Newton House. Our current home.
We turned 30!
We welcomed distributors from Estonia and Greece into the Kapok family.
2020s
Our installations team grew once more taking us from strength to strength and we added two further distributors in Slovakia (Paramo) and Poland (Lech Lifts)
1980s
Canary Wharf became one of our first customers.
1990s
We developed our Kapok No.1 studs, making it easier for ourselves and our customers to install Kapok drapes.
We out grew our premises and moved again.
2000s
We set our sights on world domination…well, international growth.
We attended Interlift in Germany and this opened doors for us in Europe.
2010s
Our installations team grew elevating our customer service.
We packed our bags and moved again to Newton House. Our current home.
We turned 30!
We welcomed distributors from Estonia and Greece into the Kapok family.
2020s
Our installations team grew once more taking us from strength to strength and we added two further distributors in Slovakia (Paramo) and Poland (Lech Lifts)
The Story in detail
In 1988, Brian and Linda Annable sat in a library leafing through the Yellow Pages, noting down the hundreds of elevator companies listed within, primed to send leaflets to each and every one.
If raising two children wasn’t enough, the couple had taken the plunge to start a business out of their garage. They took out a bank loan and bought a company’s assets, for importing, cleaning, bagging Kapok natural fibre. With Brian’s business sense and Linda’s sewing skills, they started Kapok 88 – a vision shared between them, which they would grow out of their garage.
They started out with a single sewing machine and cutting table. The couple stood above their first drape, putting eyelet holes in for the first time, filled with trepidation. They worked a lot of long hours, balancing family life with business, taking trips to London to post leaflets through the letterbox of any building with more than two floors.
Thanks to their hard work, the business took off. Large elevator companies paid for their drapes, and not only did they get orders for their lift protection, but for walls of buildings such as the National Portrait Gallery, and even the staircases of the State Apartments.
In 2007, their son Richard took over the business with the same vision as his parents, only on a global scale. He drove 800 miles to Germany to exhibit the Kapok 88 drapes for the first time, and a year later the company acquired its first distributor.
Our Vision and Values
Our reputation
Our clients are at the heart of everything we do and they continue to benefit from our handmade products. We use only the highest quality materials, first-class solutions, and support this with the finest customer service.
We’ve been doing this for over 35 years and our success has been built on a world-class reputation, core values and future ambition.
Our vision is two-fold.
We want to be a company who builds, respects, and retains a great team of people who are proud to be part of the Kapok family.
We want to be the trusted No.1 manufacturer of sustainable elevator interior protection products that are of the highest quality. Kapok 88 drapes will protect every elevator throughout Europe.
Our Values
Achievement
Honest Communication
It’s important that communication flows in all directions and back again. We respectfully challenge performance, decisions, and processes.
Loyalty
Respecting Diversity
Reputation
Achievement
Honest Communication
It’s important that communication flows in all directions and back again. We respectfully challenge performance, decisions, and processes.
Loyalty
Respecting Diversity
Reputation
Elevators are an investment and we're here to protect them. Contact us to arrange a quote or to talk to us about your project
Kapok (1988) Ltd
Newton House
Long Bennington Business Park
Long Bennington
NG23 5JR
UK