Kapok88
Kapok88 is a UK family-owned manufacturer of padded protective drapes, floor protection, hygiene covers, and handrails for elevators, selling direct in the UK and via exclusive distributors across 11+ European and Middle East countries.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1988
- HeadquartersLong Bennington, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Kapok88 does
Kapok (1988) Ltd, trading as KAPOK 88, is a UK-based, family-owned manufacturer of padded protective drapes and accessories for elevators and interior surfaces. Founded in 1988 in Long Bennington by Brian and Linda Annable from a one-garage setup with a single sewing machine, the company designs and produces custom-made and readymade protective drapes from high-density 600-denier woven polyester Oxford fabric with fire-rated (BS 5867, EN 13501) and water-repellent properties. The product portfolio extends beyond elevator wall drapes into floor protection (12mm interlocking plastic tiles tested to 3.35 tonnes and 3mm rubber mats), heavy-duty PVC hygiene covers for elevator control panels, wall and furniture protection drapes, and the e-li handrail system distributed exclusively for the UK and Ireland. Multiple proprietary fixing systems — Kapok No.1 stainless steel studs, extendable rails, suction hooks, rare-earth magnets, and rubber-coated wire hooks — enable deployment across stainless steel, glass, mirrored, and ferromagnetic cabin interiors. The company sells through a two-tier channel: direct sales with on-site survey and installation in England, Wales, and Scotland, and an exclusive international distributor network covering 11+ countries across Europe and the Middle East, with cited export reach to over 35 countries. Customer segments are elevator manufacturers (Otis, KONE, Schindler, Mitsubishi, Thyssenkrupp), elevator installers, property developers, facilities managers, and removal/moving companies; end users include Premier League football clubs, Premier Inn, the Royal Opera House, the Porsche Museum, P&O Cruises, and universities. Revenue is project-based, quote-driven, and not publicly disclosed; first-time customers pay in full before delivery, with standard lead times of 7-10 working days for drapes and 3 days for premium floor tiles.
Kapok88 firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Kapok88
- Legal name
- Kapok (1988) Ltd
- Website
- https://kapok88.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1988
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Kapok88 is a UK family-owned manufacturer of padded protective drapes, floor protection, hygiene covers, and handrails for elevators, selling direct in the UK and via exclusive distributors across 11+ European and Middle East countries.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where Kapok88 is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Long Bennington
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Kapok88 business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Custom Elevator Protective Drapes: Bespoke drapes manufactured to exact elevator cabin dimensions. Primary revenue stream. Priced per project based on lift size, fabric choice, branding requirements, and installation scope. First-time customers pay full amount before delivery.
- Readymade/Modular Elevator Drapes: Pre-configured drape sets for common elevator sizes or modular configurations, enabling faster delivery for standard applications.
- Floor Protection Products: Premium floor protection (12mm interlocking plastic tiles, load tested to 3.35 tonnes) and standard floor protection (3mm cut rubber mat). Custom sized to elevator floor dimensions.
- Hygiene Covers: PVC protective covers for elevator buttons and control panels. Available in standard sizes and custom options.
- e-li Handrails: Reseller/distributor revenue from e-li handrail products (brackets, rails, fittings). Available in straight, curved, 2-sided, and 3-sided configurations with multiple finishes.
- Wall and Furniture Protection Drapes: Protective padded fabric covers for interior walls and furniture beyond elevators. Used in building renovations, redecorating, and furniture moving.
- On-site Survey and Installation Services: UK-based installation team performs detailed lift interior surveys and drape installation across England, Wales & Scotland. Site visits charged as part of project pricing.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Multi-year contract | Custom Elevator Drapes — project-based pricing |
| Unit Pricing | Multi-year contract | Readymade/Modular Drapes — standard sizes |
| Unit Pricing | Multi-year contract | Premium Floor Protection — interlocking tiles |
| Unit Pricing | Multi-year contract | Standard Floor Protection — rubber mat |
| Unit Pricing | Multi-year contract | Hygiene Covers — button/panel protection |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels8 records
Kapok88 product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Kapok88 is a UK-based manufacturer that designs, produces, and supplies bespoke and readymade protective drapes, wall and floor protection covers, handrails, and hygiene covers for elevators. Products are made to measure in the UK from high-density woven polyester Oxford fabric with multiple proprietary fixing options (Kapok No.1 studs, magnetic, suction, adhesive) and are certified to elevator safety standard EN 81-20:2020 and fire-rated to EN 13501-1:2019.
Product overview
Kapok88 is a manufacturer of physical elevator protection products, not a software/platform company. Their portfolio consists of protective drapes and covers for elevators and interiors, offered in both custom-made and readymade configurations. The core products include Custom and Readymade Elevator Wall Protection drapes made from 600-denier woven polyester oxford fabric, supplemented by Elevator Floor Protection (premium interlocking tiles and standard rubber mats), E-Li Handrails for retrofit installation, and Hygiene Covers for button panels. All products are manufactured in the UK, feature fire safety certifications (BS 5867 and EN 13501), and offer multiple fixing mechanisms including permanent studs, temporary rails, suction hooks, magnets, and wire hooks. The company operates on a B2B model serving elevator manufacturers, installers, property developers, facilities managers, and removal companies.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Quantifiable outcome
- Fire safety certified to BS5867-2 Type B/C and EN13501-1:2019 standards
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Kapok88
Customer profileNamed customers24 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Kapok88 technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature8 records
Kapok88 partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Stingl GmbH (Germany)coreEstablished German distributor — a well-known and respected family business with full knowledge of the elevator industry. Sells all Kapok products as well as their own products worldwide in German-speaking areas. Contact: Dirk Schoeffler, +49 7134 13797 10.
- Liftbescherming (Netherlands)coreDutch distributor primarily active in the Benelux region. Has been selling all Kapok products since 2013. A family business like KAPOK 88 with over 30 years of industry experience. Specialises in on-site services for a first-class experience. Contact: Mark Maerman, +31 527 820 241.
- Ahmans (Sweden)coreScandinavian distributor with primary operations in Stockholm and Oslo. Specialises in cabin interiors and has been distributing KAPOK 88 products since 2011. Contact: Oliver Wachenborn, +46 73 6337 133.
- Prolift Trading B.V. (UAE)coreMiddle East distributor with 40 years of expertise in the elevator industry, active in the GCC region. Has been selling KAPOK 88 products since 2010 with practical on-site experience for ultimate service. Contact: Umar Usman Ali, +971 558 946 829.
- Smart People SRL (Romania)coreRomanian distributor based in Bucharest, selling KAPOK 88 products since 2016. Contact: Elisabeta Dumitrescu, +40 726635633.
- Paramo s.r.o (Slovakia)coreSlovak distributor with extensive knowledge and strong network within the construction and elevator industry in Eastern Europe. Has a passion for customer service, essential for all KAPOK 88 distributors. Contact: Veronika Kapcová Balážiová, +421 915 500 351.
- LECH Liften (Poland)corePolish distributor and lift cabin manufacturer. 35 years as a major supplier to the Polish elevator industry. Family business like KAPOK 88, committed to innovation and customer service. Produces lift cabins and other lift components. Contact: Zbigniew Mikołajczyk, +48 573 147 033.
- KI-Partners Oy (Finland)coreFinnish distributor — subsidiary of a reputable cabin manufacturer in Finland, with strong connections and extensive experience in the elevator industry. Contact: Sakari Ranki, +358 44 9722419.
- Adduco OÜ (Estonia)coreEstonian distributor active across Estonia. Offers extensive experience in providing local and international services. Provides complete moving solutions for both private and business customers. Second largest moving company in Estonia. Contact: Andre Kütt, +372 56 450 593.
- Výtahy Praha ČR s.r.o. (Czech Republic)coreCzech distributor with a large portfolio of elevators under service contracts. Dedicated and experienced team in all elevator-related matters. Contact: Luděk Lenhart, +420 606 780 304.
- De beschermheer (Norway)coreNorwegian distributor that created and grew demand through innovation and strong connections. Has extensive knowledge of all elevator-related matters and is highly customer-oriented. Contact: Ole Tobias Christensen, +47 51 23 14.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves10 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Kapok88 competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- WISAG: Large German facility services and lift maintenance group. Comparable as a downstream buyer of elevator-protection products for facilities management clients, illustrating how protection is consumed in maintenance-led procurement.
- Surface Shields: US-based manufacturer of temporary surface protection products for construction, renovation and facilities. Comparable as a broader-vertical incumbent in protective coverings targeting contractors, property managers and developers.
- Trimaco: US manufacturer of surface, floor and wall protection products for painters, builders and facilities. Comparable as an adjacent protective-cover manufacturer competing for the same trade contractor and facilities-management wallet.
- Haushahn Aufzüge: Historic German elevator manufacturer (now part of TK Elevator) that bundles elevator install with add-on protection services. Comparable as a major OEM customer channel that could substitute or vertically integrate lift-cabin protection.
Emerging players
- Raloe Elevators: Spanish elevator manufacturer and installer supplying custom cabins across European markets. Comparable because it integrates elevator fit-out and could either bundle or substitute for Kapok88-style protective drapes during install and handover.
- Mayland Aufzüge: German elevator cabin and interior components manufacturer supplying CE-marked protection and interior systems to lift installers across Europe. Comparable in that it sells into the same installer and OEM customer base with adjacent cabin-protection products.
- KEMMLIT: German manufacturer of elevator cabins, doors and interior fit-out solutions for commercial and healthcare buildings. Comparable insofar as it develops engineered cabin-interior accessories that overlap with Kapok88's protective scope.
Direct peers
- Liftbescherming: Netherlands-based specialist in elevator cabin protection since the early 1990s. Operates as Kapok88's Benelux distributor and competes with its own on-site service offering, directly mirroring Kapok88's product and service model in the Dutch market.
- Stagecap: French manufacturer of protective covers and drapes used in event, transport and lift environments. Comparable as a textile-based protective cover specialist targeting adjacent B2B installation and construction customers.
- Stingl GmbH: German elevator protection and interior accessories manufacturer. Listed as Kapok88's exclusive German distributor but also produces and sells its own complementary lift protection range, making it the closest direct peer in product, customer base and geography.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Kapok88 social profiles
Digital presenceKapok88 compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance4 records
Kapok88 financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Kapok88 leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Kapok88 funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Kapok88 M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Kapok88
What does Kapok88 do?
Kapok88 is a UK-based manufacturer that designs, produces, and supplies bespoke and readymade protective drapes, wall and floor protection covers, handrails, and hygiene covers for elevators. Products are made to measure in the UK from high-density woven polyester Oxford fabric with multiple proprietary fixing options (Kapok No.1 studs, magnetic, suction, adhesive) and are certified to elevator safety standard EN 81-20:2020 and fire-rated to EN 13501-1:2019.
Is Kapok88 a public or private company?
Kapok88 is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Kapok88 founded?
Kapok88 was founded in 1988. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Kapok88 based?
Kapok88 is headquartered in Long Bennington, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Kapok88 make money?
Seven revenue lines are on record. Custom Elevator Protective Drapes are the primary driver. The others are readymade/Modular Elevator Drapes, floor Protection Products, hygiene Covers, e-li Handrails, wall and Furniture Protection Drapes and on-site Survey and Installation Services.
Who are Kapok88's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are WISAG, Surface Shields, Trimaco and Haushahn Aufzüge. Emerging players are Raloe Elevators, Mayland Aufzüge and KEMMLIT. Direct peers are Liftbescherming, Stagecap and Stingl GmbH.
Does Kapok88 have an API?
No public API is recorded for Kapok88.