Local office furniture design and manufacturing company Angel Shack reports that it is experiencing rising domestic and international interest in its new product range, known as the GameChanger.

The range meets international design standards, but is being manufactured in South Africa, explains MD Hilton Anthony.

The range is a collaboration between Angel Shack’s local design team and international red dot award-winning designer Stefan Brodbeck, who is based in Munich, Germany.

The range has reportedly found acceptance in Switzerland, the Netherlands, Romania, Latvia, France, Kenya, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Mozambique, where dealers have been appointed in these countries. An order has also been received directly from a client based in Beijing, China.

The GameChanger range was launched at the Dubai furniture show at the end of May with enquiries coming in from Dubai, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

“We are very excited with the response both locally and internationally,” says Anthony.

The GameChanger range components are volatile- organic-compound free, which will underscore its commitment to sustainability and green technology and will make the company and its clients more ecoresponsible. It is one of few worldwide manufacturers that produce their furniture utilising anti- bacterial coatings.

The company has appointed a sustainability consulting firm to provide services for the development and publication of a sustainability report and the provision and integration of a sustainability plan, as well as the research, assessment and implementation of relevant international standards and environmental management systems.

The manufacturing side of the Angel Shack business currently employs 70 fulltime people.

“The local procurement accord, which is a concerted effort by government to support the use of local products and services, will enable us to accelerate local job opportunities,” says Anthony. “At the same time, we are able to support job creation as we continually seek out export opportunities through newly appointed distri- butors on various continents.”

About R8-million has been spent on research and development to date, with an additional R10-million projected over the next year to fast-track research and development and design for the export market.