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ABOUT KAPOK 88

MAKING ELEVATORS HAPPY FOR OVER 35 YEARS

Guaranteed for a perfect fit

(custom made drapes)
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Bespoke or readymade options

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easy installation

manufactured in the uk

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highest quality materials

We’ve been hugging elevators for over 35 years. Our range of industry leading elevator protection products are a direct result of team work, staying close to our customers and expert knowledge.

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

Kapok 88 was born in a garage. No nappies required.

Canary Wharf became one of our first customers.

January 01, 2021
12 AM

1990s

The business was growing so we moved to larger premises.

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.

January 01, 2021
12 AM

2000s

We launched our installation service turning us into a one-stop-happy-elevator-shop.

We set our sights on world domination…well, international growth.

We attended Interlift in Germany and this opened doors for us in Europe.

January 01, 2021
12 AM

2010s

We welcomed distributors from Netherlands, France, Germany and Dubai into the Kapok family.

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.

January 01, 2021
12 AM

2020s

The pandemic gave us a lightbulb moment and we developed our Lift Car Push Stations – Hygienic PVC covers for elevator button panels.

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)

January 01, 2021
12 AM

1980s

Kapok 88 was born in a garage. No nappies required.

Canary Wharf became one of our first customers.

January 01, 2021
12 AM

1990s

The business was growing so we moved to larger premises.

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.

January 01, 2021
12 AM

2000s

We launched our installation service turning us into a one-stop-happy-elevator-shop.

We set our sights on world domination…well, international growth.

We attended Interlift in Germany and this opened doors for us in Europe.

January 01, 2021
12 AM

2010s

We welcomed distributors from Netherlands, France, Germany and Dubai into the Kapok family.

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.

January 01, 2021
12 AM

2020s

The pandemic gave us a lightbulb moment and we developed our Lift Car Push Stations – Hygienic PVC covers for elevator button panels.

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)

January 01, 2021
12 AM

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

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Achievement

We’re go-getters and we set ourselves goals every day. Our ultimate achievement is to delight our clients.
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Honest Communication

It’s important that communication flows in all directions and back again. We respectfully challenge performance, decisions, and processes.



Loyalty

We’re driven by responsibility, accountability and trust which in turn fosters employee and customer loyalty.
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Respecting Diversity

Diversity is valued within Kapok 88. Without diversity all businesses become echo chambers. We don’t have to agree with each other but understanding and respecting our differences is essential.


Reputation

We’re kind, honest and hardworking at all times. We understand that our actions have outcomes and we strive to uphold the reputation of our business with every person we encounter.
ï‚‘

Achievement

We’re go-getters and we set ourselves goals every day. Our ultimate achievement is to delight our clients.
w

Honest Communication

It’s important that communication flows in all directions and back again. We respectfully challenge performance, decisions, and processes.



Loyalty

We’re driven by responsibility, accountability and trust which in turn fosters employee and customer loyalty.
î‚‹

Respecting Diversity

Diversity is valued within Kapok 88. Without diversity all businesses become echo chambers. We don’t have to agree with each other but understanding and respecting our differences is essential.


Reputation

We’re kind, honest and hardworking at all times. We understand that our actions have outcomes and we strive to uphold the reputation of our business with every person we encounter.

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

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