History
Our History: Five Decades
From a hand-written note on a piece of scrap card to becoming the UK’s leading partitioning manufacturer, Komfort’s journey is one of British entrepreneurial spirit. Today, we are proud of the long-standing relationships we have built on a foundation of service, flexibility and uncompromising technical support.
The Spark of an Idea
No-one knows the soul of the company better than our founder, Barry Bates, who launched Komfort in February 1973. When asked what his new venture would actually do, Barry wrote “Comfortable Offices” on a piece of card. In a moment of inspired branding, he swapped the ‘C’ for a ‘K’, and Komfort was born.
Starting with just a few hundred pounds and an undeniable sense of “nouse,” Barry guided the company through the economic volatility of the 70s and 80s, negotiating three-day weeks and recessions with pure grit and determination. By the time he moved the company to our long-standing warehouse home in 1983 and eventually sold the business in 1989, he had grown Komfort into a £21m industry powerhouse.
A Force to be Reckoned With
Many of our long-standing team members still remember Barry’s management style: a blend of incredible drive, amusing anecdotes, and a “force to be reckoned with” personality. That same passion remains in our DNA today. We don’t just manufacture walls; we deliver an architect’s vision through an extensive, trusted contractor network, backed by half a century of expertise.
Key Milestones
The Spark of an Idea
1973 |
The Foundations
Launch of the 600 Series and Komfire, innovations so robust they remain in the market today.
1990s |
The Transparency Revolution
Introduction of Polar Single Glazed (1994) and Double Glazed (1996), redefining how light flows through office environments.
2000s |
Precision Engineering
Launch of the LS90 (2002), bringing a new level of modular sophistication to fit-outs.
2010s |
Acoustic Excellence
The debut of the Sonik Door (2013) and the industrial Kross Glaze (2018).
2020s |
The New Era
Launching the comprehensive Polar 30, 54, 100 & 101 suites (2021) and the high-performance Defence fire range (2023).
Today |
The Future of Work
Launching the comprehensive Polar 30, 54, 100 & 101 suites (2021) and the high-performance Defence fire range (2023).
Looking Forward
Having recently celebrated our 50th anniversary, we aren’t standing still. We are leveraging five decades of knowledge to tackle the next half-century of architectural challenges, prioritising sustainability, fire safety, and the evolving needs of the global workforce.
| Stat | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1973 | Founded in New Addington |
| 133 | Dedicated staff employed across the UK |
| 73+ | Industry-leading products developed |
| 2023 | Celebrated 50 years of British Manufacturing |