4 | BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT FTN Motion Electric mopeds on fast track T from page 3 Enjoying the ride: FTN Motion founders Saskia Thornton, Luke Sinclair and Kendall Bristow. Upper Hutt based business Cover Me Ltd. has the motto “The upholstery company that can cover just about anything”, and when you talk to owner Dion Hunter it’s easy to believe that’s true. He’s been working in the upholstery trade o and on since his irst job as a teenager in the Canvas trade where he learnt how to use a sewing machine making things big and small out of canvas. The apprenticeship in motor-trimming that followed introduced him to what has become his favourite part of the business: itting out car interiors, especially hot-rods and classics. Cover Me Ltd. will cover anything that needs it, from a piano stool to a fuel tanker and everything in between, and especially things that are made to order for clients after an individual look or style. “I’ve never said no to a job,” says Dion with a laugh. “It all comes down to the way you look at things. Everything’s pretty much a pattern and then everything’s sewn together.” Unlike most of us Dion can see those patterns even when they don’t exist yet. “If somebody starts talking to me about what they want in their car or their house, or their furniture I can “see” what they want and draw the pattern to make it.” Some clients can visualize while others need sketches and samples. Some people know what they want, others don’t; and Dion’s skill is making sure that his clients get what they want even when they come to him not quite knowing what that is. Whether it’s a French stitch or piping, woven or stretch, tartan or plain, he’ll make a sample putting the various elements together so the client really understands what they’re getting before everything is con irmed. Dion and his four sta take on plenty of commercial and industrial contracts, from car yards to restaurant chains and on the residential front they’ll make a pattern and sew up anything except curtains or clothes. Recently Dion made the cover for a protoype electric motorbike seat for FTN Motion Ltd. having been recommended by another satis ied client. “They came to us with the basic seat and the foam and the look they wanted and I’ve gone o those drawings using brown automotive vinyl with a design on it and a pleated edge and it de initely suits the bike,” says Dion. FTN Motion clearly agreed and orders are steadily increasing from an initial 10, up to 100 in January and more as the new year progresses. “I’m quite excited,” says Dion,” I’ve made custom seats before and we’re talking about di erent styles and fabrics we can use so we’re o to a good start.” Whether it’s a car a boat or something completely unexpected, Dion says just give him a call or drop by for a chat and he’ll be pleased to get the ball rolling to help you achieve the look you’re after. “I’ve Never Said No To A Job” Automotive Upholstery Furniture Upholstery & Repairs Marine Upholstery & Covers Canvas & PVC Work Specialising in Hotrods & Classic Cars Ph: 04 526 7840 Mob: 0275 436 069 dion@coverme.co.nz www.coverme.co.nz 39A Montgomery Cr, Upper Hutt PROUD TO SUPPORT FTN MOTION LTD Luke’s very clear that this is technically a moped, although it has no pedals, but it’s not to be confused with an e-bike or an e-scooter. It didn’t take its final shape until the first lockdown last year. Having just moved to Wellington Luke and Kendall found themselves locked down for five weeks with neither of them able to work remotely in their new jobs. Having all the components they needed with them, and a garage to work in, they emerged with a working prototype: an electric moped notable for the absence of things as much as for its custom-made stylish simplicity; the absence of noise, maintenance (no oil changes etc), and fumes, as well as the need for a motorcycle license or warrant of fitness to name but a few. A crash course in business through an incubator programme led to their first investors coming on board and an article in Stuff resulted in 70 presales over a single weekend. The electric moped was launched. Luke and Kendall’s team is rounded out by Saskia Thornton who joined them as co-founder last year after being introduced to them by her father Steve Thornton, their first investor. ”He was our first champion, part of Angel HQ, and he gave us a lot of guidance which has been fantastic to be honest,” says Luke. “Saskia’s headed up some incredibly successful start-ups and brands. Myself and Kendall are basically the same person so she really rounds out the team. “She’s great on high-level business strategy and she’s been critical to the traction we’ve achieved.” With a dense population all commuting to work on roads with a 50km speed limit Wellington was the ideal place to launch, but their plans include expanding to other cities in New Zealand, as well as beach towns such as Raglan or Whangamata. Within it, all FTN Motion have a core strategy which defines them. “It’s a direct-to-consumer model where people can come into the store and showroom and choose their different colours then rely on us for good service and follow-up,” says Luke. “We want to build a community, to be where the customer is and have that presence, and then long-term we’ll look to replicate it overseas most likely starting in Europe.” With Saskia currently moving between Amsterdam and New Zealand that could be a good place to begin.
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