Kite innovator behind Branson's world records for sale
by Mark Perry 30 Nov 2023 17:31 AEDT
Flexifoil land © Mark Perry
Flexifoil, the kite maker that powered Richard Branson to kitesurfing world records, is for sale.
Branson, his son Sam and a group of friends and family chose Flexifoil kites to smash three world records, including the fastest recorded time to cross the English Channel and the largest formation to kitesurf across the Channel.
Now, the family of the late Theo Van Dort, one of Flexifoil's founders, is looking for someone to take on the pioneering company and build upon its reputation for innovation in modern kiting.
The Flexifoil kite was born by accident in 1972 when two graduates of Newcastle University were creating a wind sculpture. It became a kiting revolution and was pivotal in making kiteboarding and land boarding a global sport.
The kites generate lift and maintain shape by using a frameless design and harnessing airflow through a network of cells between two layers of fabric.
Flexifoil kites are easy to pack and transport, making them popular among enthusiasts.
In a recent independent survey asking over 1,400 kite users their primary reason for buying a Flexifoil kite, 50% said product reputation and 43% said word-of-mouth recommendation. When asked to give an analogy to describe Flexifoil products55% of respondents used names of the most prestigious luxury car marques.
Flexifoil has sold over 500,000 high-performance, durable and affordable kites through a sales network across Europe, North America, South Africa and Australia.
Roger Cutting, Director - Asset Advisory at Lambert Smith Hampton, who is handling the sale, said: "Flexifoil is a successful and respected brand with a substantial loyal customer base and a deep-seated affinity for the brand.
"This is an opportunity for the right buyer to acquire a brand with a solid reputation for craftsmanship and performance while also opening up new opportunities to reach customers through its websites and expand the brand into new territories."
Details about the Flexifoil sale can be found at: www.lsh.co.uk/assetadvisory.