KI Europe News

At this year's BETT exhibition KI displayed some of it's educational furniture range on it's main stand D140. KI also furnished the Building Schools for the Future Seminar Theatre and Network Managers Lounge within the PfS Future Learning Spaces sponsored a Turn-Key Pod. Jonathan Hindle, Group Managing Director of KI spoke in the Seminar Theatre on "The role of furniture in future schools" supported by case studies in schools, academies and universities.

KI education furniture includes: classroom furniture, powered tables, auditorium seating, fixed seating, tables, desking, task/desk seating, guest/side seating, lounge seating, occasional tables, library furniture, cafeteria furniture and residence hall furniture.

Products on display in tha main stand were: Torsion on the Go! seating - an innovative, mobile, nesting, flex-back chair including a unique large folding and nesting tablet arm, which addresses movable seating requirements for teaming, training, and informal conferencing. Hurry Up! tables which can be flipped and easily configured and set up by one person. The compact nesting ability of the Hurry Up! table is achieved through an innovative leg-within-leg design on an incredibly narrow footprint for storage in limited space. The Intellect Wave seating line, including the new cafe stools, task stools, a music chair and a four-leg chair with castors. Each of these seating options features Intellect Wave's unique ribless shell design for easy cleaning and a flexible shell with a waterfall seat front that minimizes leg pressure. The Strive seating collection is a wide family of simple, elegant, comfortable chair designs by KI and Giancarlo Piretti. A consistent design language has been applied throughout the collection of stacking chairs, café stools, nesting chairs, task chairs, task stools and fixed seating. The Enlite Table Collection features mobile castors, light-scale table tops and a non-angular transition-end design to allow educators and students to easily accommodate changing classroom environments. The Sela Lounge Collection captures the less formal, casual lifestyle of today's students and workers while complementing a variety of interiors. The collection includes the Sela sofa, chair & a half, standard chair and coffee table with whiteboard surface. The products are specifically designed to suit informal learning spaces and lounge areas. KI 800 Series, the new metric lateral storage range manufactured in the UK, has improved features and functions providing a wide range of versatile and flexible solutions for personal locker, learning areas and administrative offices.

KI also launched a new and radical solution to the problem of the big PC tower case and trailing wires in the classroom - Freemote, a unique and patented Remote Control for a PC. Freemote is a slim unit which sits in the desk's worksurface and duplicates the key controls (on / off, headphone & mic, USB and DVD drive) placing them at the user's fingertips. This means the industry-standard PC can be placed up to 20m away without any loss of functionality the user can still turn the PC on, plug in a USB stick or use a CD, but they don't have to deal with the bulky tower case in their space! The perfect PC would be invisible, secure, easily upgradeable, aesthetically pleasing and occupy none of the user's space all of which has been achieved with Freemote. Moreover, the Freemote offers some real environmental benefits, saving up to 2400KW per year per PC. Freemote was shown combined with KI's In Tandem desk and powered remote-control flat-screen garage.

The In Tandem table system is the easiest way to access power and data for worksurfaces. Unique internal beams hold separated wires and cables. No interference. No cross talk. No tangles. The beam has flip-down doors for convenient access from either the front or back sides. Technicians access wires while users remain at the tables. Shared table legs maximise legroom and ease clutter below the surface. The powered beam allows table configurations that are unlimited by power and data access.

KI's flat-screen garage rises from the rear of the desk surface allowing unhindered use of the worksurface. In addition the powered flat-screen comes with an over-riding remote control and lock, allowing the teacher central control.

The Seminar Theatre in Future Learning Spaces was furnished with KI's Perry chairs and an Instruct mobile lectern instructors desk. The Perry chair is a seating classic, designed by renowned sculptor, Charles Perry. The chair is stylish and elegant with a unique articulated back movement. Instruct tables are All Terrain mobile instructor's desks.

The Network Managers Lounge was furnished with KI's Strive chairs, Enlite tables, Athens tables and Sela Lounge seating. Athens tables bring people together, inspiring conversation and collaboration. Designed to complement virtually any interior scheme, Athens tables are available in a variety of sizes and finishes.

Labels: General News, New Product

As well as our main stand D140 in the Grand Hall, KI are sponsoring a Turn-Key Pod and Seminar spaces. KI have furnished the Building Schools for the Future Seminar Theatre and Network Managers Lounge within the PfS Future Learning Spaces area at BETT 2010. See KI on Stand No. D140 or hear speakers from KI in the Seminar Theatre on Friday 15th January 2010 at 11.30am.

KI is the largest educational furniture manufacturer in the world. With over 60 years experience, KI understand the distinct and evolving needs of the educational environment. They design furniture that facilitates learning and interaction between students and staff.

KI education furniture includes: classroom furniture, powered tables, auditorium seating, fixed seating, tables, desking, task/desk seating, guest/side seating, lounge seating, occasional tables, library furniture, cafeteria furniture and residence hall furniture.

KI are launching... Read More>>

Labels: General News

One of the major highlights of 2009 has been the introduction of UK manufacturing across many of our steel storage systems including the new KI 800 Series, KI Smartspace High Density Mobile systems and the brand new KI 400 Series entry-level lateral drawer and cupboard programme. Lower prices, shorter lead-times and a reduced carbon footprint have brought significant benefits to our customers.

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Labels: General News

KI 800 Series, KI 400 Series and KI SmartSpace Mobile High Density Storage products are now manufactured in the UK in ISO 14001 and ISO 9001 accredited factories.

Labels: General News

Interbuild BSF 18 - 21 October 2009 NEC Birmingham, Stand A65

KI are exhibiting at Interbuild BSF, a zone of the Interbuild Specifier exhibition concentrating on solutions for the design and refurbishment of schools. As well as it's own dedicated stand, KI will be exhibiting additional solutions in the Concept Learning Zone.

KI is the largest educational furniture manufacturer in the world. With over 60 years experience, KI understand the distinct and evolving needs of the educational environment. They design furniture that facilitates learning and interaction between students and staff.

KI education furniture includes classroom furniture, powered tables, auditorium seating, fixed seating, tables, desking, task/desk seating, guest/side seating, lounge seating, occasional tables, library furniture, cafeteria furniture and residence hall furniture.

A new European Education Overview has just been released by KI. Visit KI's website at www.kieurope.com or www.kieducation.com or telephone on 020 7404 7441.

Labels: General News

KI is introducing a highly competitive lateral storage range, KI 400 Series. Manufactured in the UK, KI 400 Series is an entry level storage system with many of the features found in KI's comprehensive 800 Series lateral system which is also manufactured in the UK. Available on short and consistent lead-times and delivering a reduced carbon footprint, KI 400 Series comes with a 10-year warranty.

KI's specialist storage knowledge, tailored storage design and engineering expertise is blended with UK state of the art automated tooling, manufacturing and finishing processes to provide customers with the latest and the highest standards of quality and value.

KI 400 Series comes in two standard metric widths and six heights. This storage system provides solutions for Business, Education and Healthcare sectors.

Jonathan Hindle - KI's Group Managing Director in Europe, Middle East and East Asia comments:

"We are delighted to announce the further expansion of KI's UK manufactured ranges. Our UK and European customers will now benefit from reduced costs without compromise on quality and design. KI 400 Series is an entry level priced lateral storage range. UK production meets KI's commitment to continuously reduce its environmental impact. KI has a long established expertise and knowledge of storage solutions. We work with Architects, Designers and End Users to design and manufacture tailored storage solutions. This knowledge coupled with proven state of the art tooling and manufacturing facilities in the UK will provide KI's UK and European customers with the very best of both worlds."

See the new KI 400 Series system, the KI 800 Series system, complimentary pedestal ranges and numerous other personal and bulk storage solutions at the KI showroom in central London or visit the website at http://europe.ki.com/400series.asp.

Labels: General News, New Product

The Strive seating collection from KI is a family of simple, elegant, comfortable chair designs. KI and Giancarlo Piretti, the world famous Italian furniture designer, have applied a consistent design language throughout the collection of stacking chairs, cafe stools, nesting chairs, task chairs, task stools and fixed seating available in a choice of 18 polypropylene colours. All have a unique, flexible back with a wire rod moulded into the polypropylene to encourage movement and relaxation. The back curve provides lateral support and the contoured seat dissipates pressure points. Strive has a ten year warranty, is GREENGUARD certified for LEED accreditation and is ideal for providing solutions for business, education and healthcare sectors.

KI and Giancarlo Piretti have been working together on designs, focusing on bringing comfort to the widest possible audience at an affordable cost.

Please visit the KI website on http://europe.ki.com/strive.asp for more information.

Labels: Editorial, General News, New Product

KI wins coveted Green Initiative Award in Sustainable Times magazine for their UK Manfacturered KI 800 Series lateral storage range.

KI have reduced the carbon footprint of their KI 800 Series of filing cabinets by licensing them to be manufactured in the UK. Instead of being shipped in from over seas, KI 800 Series lateral drawer, receding door, cupboard, locker and shelving units will now be made under license in Mildenhall, Suffolk. Other benefits of UK manufacturing include lower prices, shorter lead times and a 25-year warranty, extendable to lifetime. KI already manufactures its metric pedestal, personal storage and locker ranges in the UK. The storage systems provide solutions for Business, Education and Healthcare sectors and are GREENGUARD certified for LEED accreditation.

Jonathan Hindle - KI's Group Managing Director in Europe, Middle East and East Asia comments:

"Following extensive design, development and launch of our UK manufactured ranges, we are delighted to receive this award. UK production meets KI's commitment to continuously reduce its environmental impact. KI has a long established expertise and knowledge of storage solutions. We work with Architects, Designers and End Users to design and manufacture tailored storage solutions. This knowledge coupled with proven state of the art tooling and manufacturing facilities in the UK will provide KI's UK and European customers with the very best of both worlds"

Please visit KI's showroom to see the quality and enhanced features of KI 800 Series. See the new system and numerous other personal and bulk storage solutions at our showroom in central London or visit the website at www.kieurope.com

Labels: Environmental, General News

KI is the largest educational furniture manufacturer in the world.

With over 60 years experience, KI understand the distinct and evolving needs of the educational environment. They design furniture that facilitates learning and interaction between students and staff.

Educational stakeholders, Designers and Administrators make buying decisions for furniture based on many factors. Cost, durability, functionality, safety, and aesthetics represent just a few of the many practical considerations. In addition to BREEAM certification, more facility managers and global architects seek LEED certification, they need environmentally friendly products that can help them achieve it. KI is continuing to design furniture that encompasses customers' needs for products that are safe, aesthetically pleasing, affordable, and help earn points toward LEED certification for the building as a whole.

Jonathan Hindle, Group Managing Director - Europe, Middle East & East Asia says:

"Furniture is a crucial component in creating a quality learning environment. Seating should be comfortable and durable and worksurfaces ought to be able to accommodate specific tasks including note taking, laptop computer use and conducting experiments. Beyond these functional aspects, the image portrayed correlates to student perception of teachers' performance expectations - an attractive, highly functional, quality environment tells them you expect excellence."

Today's educators, administrators and facility planners have more to consider than ever before when making decisions that will help students achieve their full potential. Furniture solutions that maximize flexibility for teachers and students are at the heart of a successful modern educational environment.

KI is at the forefront of educational furnishing knowledge and expertise having designed and manufactured furniture for many global Educational Institutions.

Designing classrooms with more functional flexibility means that a teacher can easily vary instructional methods to accommodate different learning styles and course topics simply by utilizing reconfigurable furniture. For example, teachers can arrange seating into rows for test taking, circles for group discussions, semicircles for lectures and presentations, or several smaller groupings for collaborative team projects.

Movable furniture further creates a positive learning environment by allowing teachers and students to move closer together. For instance, desks can be rotated so students sitting near the back of the room can easily relocate to the front. Positioning students nearer to teachers helps them maintain attention and interest.

KI educational furniture includes: classroom furniture, powered tables, auditorium seating, fixed seating, tables, desking, task/desk seating, guest/side seating, lounge seating, occasional tables, library furniture, cafeteria furniture and residence hall furniture.

LEED is a voluntary, consensus-based standard for developing high-performance, sustainable buildings. Originating in the United States this standard is now being widely adopted in the UK and globally by leading architectural practices. GREENGUARD certified furniture earns points toward projects receiving certification under the LEED for Commercial Interiors and LEED for Schools.

Most of KI's portfolio of products are GREENGUARD certified. Many have been installed at LEED and BREEAM accredited buildings in the UK, Europe and the Middle East.

A new European Education Overview will shortly be released by KI. Visit KI's website at www.ki.com/europe

Labels: Environmental, General News

In addition to BREEAM certification, more facility managers and global architects seek LEED certification, they need environmentally friendly products that can help them achieve it. KI is continuing to design furniture that encompasses customers' needs for products that are safe, aesthetically pleasing, affordable, and help earn points toward LEED certification for the building as a whole.

LEED is a voluntary, consensus-based standard for developing high-performance, sustainable buildings. Originating in the United States this standard is now being widely adopted in the UK and globally by leading architectural practices. GREENGUARD certified furniture earns points toward projects receiving certification under the LEED for Commercial Interiors and LEED for Schools.

Most of KI's portfolio of products are GREENGUARD certified. Many have been installed at LEED and BREEAM accredited buildings in the UK, Europe and the Middle East. Visit KI's website at www.KI.com/europe

Labels: Environmental, General News

KI are growing rapidly in the Middle East and are showing many products at The Office Exhibition in Dubai in March. Amongst the products being shown are 700 Series, Wireworks workstation, Grand Salon Sofas and chairs, Perry chairs, KI 900 Series/Smart Touch and Impress Ultra and Engage task seating.

Jonathan M. Hindle - Managing Director, E.M.E.A. for KI comments:

KI has its regional Headquarters in Bahrain and representative partners in the U.A.E., Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Lebanon and Egypt.

The Office Exhibition, 3 - 5 March 2009, Stand D120 - Dubai International Exhibition Centre

Labels: General News

KI have undertaken a stunning new refurbishment of their London showroom in Holborn, carried out by Office Projects Ltd. (OPL).

The floor space has been opened up to make it more flexible and accessible. The new reception area is now more inviting with the relocation of the curved aquarium and the addition of back-lit acrylic vision panels.

A new coffee bar with red polished plaster wall and walnut laminate flooring has been created. The area features the new 900 Series storage with glass counter tops along with Perry seating and Athens low and high coffee tables.

More multi-purpose meeting spaces have been created including an enclosed office showing a workstation incorporating the 700 Series Optional Fronts range on which matching wooden fronts have been applied.

An enlarged multi-functional meeting room with integrated AV will alternate use of the new white Daylight seating for auditorium use and a combination of Torsion on the Go! nesting seating and the Kite modular flip and nesting table system for other meetings. Customised 900 Series touch latch cupboard credenzas house AV equipment.

Other spaces will feature the nesting Torsion on the Go! seating with large folding tablet arms, Hurry Up! flip and nesting tables, PivotFile rotary storage with electronic keypad access, Eclipse powered high density mobile storage and the extensive line of high density stacking seating ranges.

This showroom is a knowledge and resource centre for visiting clients, architects, designers and dealer partners. Many of the recent Personal, Team and Bulk storage solutions have been incorporated. Examples of lockers, secure waste, recycling and other specialist applications are also shown. Various lock mechanism options to provide differing levels of security are shown, along with the latest technology employed in electronic file tracking and information management systems including 'RFID'.

The first floor office accommodation seats around 30 administrative and support staff and now has a new staff breakout area, enhanced CAT 2 lighting and air conditioning to improve the working environment.

Labels: General News

John Vere - has recently been appointed Sales Manager - UK Northern Regions and will be responsible for growing our sales from the Midlands up to Scotland. John has considerable experience within the furniture industry having previously worked with dealers including Blueprint, Workplace By Design and Portfolio. During this time John regularly teamed up with KI on key projects and has a good understanding of our business and how we go to market. John is married and lives in Chesterfield. His interests include cycling, photography and he is also very accomplished in the sport of clay shooting. John will report to Sales Director David Venables.

Steve Vellozzo - joined KI in August as Regional Sales Manager - Middle East. Steve began his "furniture" career working as the District Manager for Steelcase in Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt and Israel. After 5 years in that role, he left to pursue opportunities as an Export Manager in the UK, a Sales Manager role for Haworth, and then returned to Steelcase as Market Manager for Saudi Arabia and Bahrain in 2004. His most recent role was as General Manager for Premier Office, a Steelcase authorized dealership in Saudi Arabia. Steve and his wife, have three sons (with another child on the way), and have relocated to Bahrain from where he will run the Middle East operations for KI and will report directly to Jonathan Hindle, Managing Director, E.M.E.A.

Labels: General News

David Blair joined KI in March 2008. David has been a self employed Salesman for the past three years and worked on behalf of D4 and FFC Ltd. Prior to this he was the Southern Division Sales Manager for Asher Systems. David joins us as the KI Sales Manager for Southern Regions with a Dealer and D&B focus. David will be responsible for developing new and existing Dealer Distribution and Service Partners and supporting them with direct marketing and specialist knowledge. David will report to David Venables.

Tracy Kilkie joined KI in April 2008 as Sales Support Coordinator. Tracy is originally from Derby and comes to us having recently moved to London with her fiancé. Her previous roles as a Sales Negotiator and Branch Administrator at Ashley Adams Estate Agency have given her skills that will enable her to support the Sales Team to a high standard. Tracy will be responsible for providing assistance in the form of quotations and information to dealers as well as the rest of the KI team. She will also manage literature, samples and the company’s database. Tracy will report to David Venables.

Adriana Valerio joined KI in May 2008 as our Showroom Co-ordinator. Adriana is from Brazil and moved to London in 2005. Her previous roles in Account and Project Management have helped her to develop skills that she will use at KI. Adriana will be responsible for all front of house showroom activity along with assistance with samples and mail outs, Reception support and assistance with Mock-ups. Adriana will report to Jeremy McWhinney.

Labels: General News

Lucia Catanzaro - Lucia Catanzaro joined KI in February 2008 as our Receptionist. After 3 years studying at Roehampton University in London, Lucia graduated with a BA Hons in English Literature. During this time Lucia also worked as a Sales Assistant and Team Manager for Boots gaining experience in customer care and service. Lucia will report to Karyn Quinney - PA to KI's Managing Director and may be contacted on

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Labels: General News