The first year.
Kinect was born in April 2010, starting with zero product, but armed with a simple business strategy of providing exceptional customer service. The trusty Blackberry was used to connect with existing industry contacts, yet the first 6 months were a determined struggle. Challenges included creating a reliable supply chain, managing cashflow and obtaining credit (begging the bank to approve a credit card, a particular memory).
Kinect was an early pioneer of the sales agent model in the industry, representing international brands such as Ergotron, Atdec and Sylex, helping them establish a foothold in the commercial furniture market.
The first Kinect office
First partnership and breakthrough project
Our first partnership began with a reputable Danish company called Space DK, who offered CPU Holders and Monitor Arms manufactured in Europe. Our first major breakthrough project in partnership with a commercial furniture supplier was designing and supplying 1,500 custom camera mounts for OPSM Luxottica. We worked closely with Space in designing this bespoke solution, and some of the product is still in use in OPSM stores 13 years later.
OPSM project
In house designed products and Malaysia Alliance
Within our first year of business, a plan was forged to develop our own products - a partnership (continuing to this day) with a manufacturer in Malaysia was established and the ncompas® Technology Mounting brand was born.
For many years ncompas® successfully competed with international Monitor Arm brands, with its first major breakthrough being the ABS Sydney fitout (400 monitor Arms) in 2011, then our flagship project in 2012 the Qantas Global Headquarters Sydney (5000 Monitor Arms). Another flagship project, Asciano HQ (3000 Monitor Arms) followed in 2013.
Qantas Global HQ, Sydney
Record sales and Asia Expansion
By 2014, Kinect was hitting its stride and turning over record revenue. The ncompas brand was expanded to Asia Pacific, including Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Philippines. Large end users who installed Kinect products over the ensuing 5 years included QBE Manila (3000 Monitor Arms with Thin Client), CSC Singapore, ADP Manila, HLB Sydney, Yarra Valley Water, Village Roadshow, Schneider Electric, Momentum Energy Melbourne, Police/Nurses Perth, HBF Perth and The Adelaide Health and Medical Sciences Building.
Malaysia International Furniture Fair
New Partnerships
By 2018, Kinect in Australia was also distributing its products through reputable IT suppliers, smaller ergonomic product resellers and CMS Electracom, the largest manufacturer of softwired power solutions in Australia. In South East Asia, a dedicated ncompas showroom was open showcasing both Technology Mounting and CMS Softwiring solutions. During this time, it was decided that the business focus solely on the Australian market, handing back the reigns of Asia to our Malaysia partner, STRATA Design Sdn Bhd.
ncompas Asia Showroom
Learning from the tough times
As with any small business operation, not everything is smooth sailing all of the time - the journey can be a rollercoaster. The not so good times provide an opportunity to learn and grow. A handful of customers who did not pay their bills or “went under” was a lesson learnt in cash flow and managing creditors. A few lean years were buffered by a minimal overhead model, positive cash flow and supportive suppliers. New players in the Monitor Arm business and Covid-19 forged a re-think of the company strategy. And finally, a few close industry contacts and friends who have passed away will never be forgotten.
Zooming the team during Covid
XLOCK Partnership
Under the guidance and leadership of renowned furniture manufacturer Franz Schubert, in 2019 Kinect was appointed the Australian distributor (East Coast and SA) for XLOCK, a premium European manufacturer of wireless smart locking solutions. Whilst Covid brought its initial challenges, lockers were becoming a more important tool within hybrid fitouts, therefore supplying flexible wireless locker solutions proved a successful pivot for Kinect.
One of the first flagship fitouts for Kinect XLOCK was 700 lockers installed at the Sydney Opera House, in partnership with a national furniture supplier.
Other flagship XLOCK projects over the ensuing years include Munich Re, Vodafone TPG, Toyota Finance, Lion Co, JLL, AG Coombs, Govt Department and GSK.
Flagship XLOCK Install
THANK YOU
None of Kinect’s success would have been possible without its family, partners, suppliers and customers (distributors).
Most notable and heartfelt thanks goes to the incredible and multiskilled Becky Chung who was the bread winner for many years with a full time position, whilst raising the family and doing Kinect’s accounts. The young Chungs have also helped along the way! Kinect would not be where it is without the sacrifices made by Chung family.
Particular thanks goes to the following key people who have been instrumental in the success of Kinect:
Dennis Choy, Franz Schubert, Warwick Dennett, Paul Barmes and Jason Moc.
Thank you to the following people dating back to 2010 who helped the business get off its feet and / or partnered with us on large and regular projects over the many years since.
Claus Nielsen, Jesper Blaabjerg, Michael Kralj, Anthony Kotarac, Dennis Fredericos, Wayne Hughes, Joyce Seeho, Mannhi Lam, Mark Miruzzi, Emily Wong, Daniel Kor Hong Beng, Habirul Izwan, Mitch Dawson, Arifa Hynard, Paul Buckley, Anna Theocharous, Daniel Torres, Tyron Krost, Steve Hony, Dino Lee, Niall McLaughlin, Jason Parry, Peter Stansfield, Douglas Coote, Naz Grimaldi, Michael Kohek, Anand Doreswamy, Jeremy Grey, Michael Been, William Hill, Tom Clark, Peter Byrnes, Helen Byrnes, Jason Koliba, Alan Boyd, Simon Taylor, Natasha Kolenesnikov, Daniel Beers, Serge Mezzina, Arron Durham, Grant Digance, Darren Mifsud, Andrew Cotter, Nathan Kennard, Joel Kennard, Kasim Ali Khan, Ruby Reyes, Tom Petrovski, Jono Klein, Rodney Waghorn, Luke Shappard, Jason Marton, James Davies, Ben Tran, Ryan Britz, John Duffin, Thomas Vogler.
And finally to every single one of Kinect’s customers (sorry cant mention them all) from the early days of 2010 through to today. Thank you and here’s to the next 15 years!
Best wishes,
Martin Chung
Director, Kinect Solutions Pty Ltd