Type Limited company Website PowaKaddy.co.uk Founded 1983 | Industry Golf equipment Founder Joe Catford | |
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Headquarters Sittingbourne, Kent,, UK Products Electric golf trolleys, golf trolleys, golf bags Profiles | ||
PowaKaddy or PowaKaddy International Limited is a golf equipment manufacturing company based in Sittingbourne, Kent, Great Britain that specialises in electric golf trolleys.
Contents
PowaKaddy's main business is electric golf trolleys but it also produces a range of manual push or pull trolleys, golf bags and other accessories. The original PowaKaddy Classic, as it was called, was invented in 1983 by Joe Catford, who along with John Martin launched the product from a small factory in Sittingbourne.
History
In 1983, Joe Catford, along with John Martin launched the PowaKaddy Classic from a small factory in Sittingbourne. The company has changed hands several times in its history. Catford sold the company to the now dissolved company, Sunleigh plc in 1989. Around ten years later, PowaKaddy changed hands following a management buyout by John DeGraft-Johnson, David Wells and Mike Snapes along with Close Brothers Private Equity. In 2004, Fergus O'Rafferty and Rossa McDermot, backed by Graphite Capital, bought PowaKaddy. After a difficult two and a half years caused by the failing P5 product, Powakaddy went into administration in November 2006, since when it has been run by Barclays Ventures after which, most sourcing was made from the Far East. Following the problems with P5 the group launched the Freeway II was launched. This new and innovative product had push button controls but was dogged with quality issues and was discontinued at the end of 2010 and replaced with the Freeway Sport.
In August 2012 former owner John DeGraft-Johnson and the son of the inventor Joe Catford, David Catford, bought PowaKaddy out of administration. Despite the issues in the field PowaKaddy still enjoys the number one brand leading position.
History Timeline
April 1983 - Joe Catford invents the first commercially successful golf trolley. Local businessman John Martin invests in the company.
July 1983 - PowaKaddy Classic officially launched at The Open Championship at Royal Birkdale.
May 1988 - PowaKaddy extend range with two wheeled power assisted golf trolley called the Rio.
1989 - Joe Catford and John Martin sell PowaKaddy to the Sunleigh group.
1991 - Sunleigh appoints a new Managing Director, John deGraft-Johnson.
April 1993 - The connection system for the batteries was changed from traditional crocodile clips which fitted to the exposed battery terminal to a new unique system called the Interconnect System ( also called T-Bar ), which is still used in present day models.
1993 - First PowaKaddy golf bags launched.
1994 - PowaKaddy unveils manual pull trolley called the Laser XL.
Jan 1996 - PowaKaddy launches Pulsar - the first two wheeled powered trolley that could fold down like a pull cart.
October 1996 - PowaKaddy launches single seated ride-on buggy called The Discovery.
1997 - PowaKaddy voted "Best of British award" by Golf Industries Europe.
March 1999 - Launch of the famous Freeway electric trolley.
September 1999 - PowaKaddy launches RoboKaddy, one of the world's first remote controlled golf carts and only one with reverse function.
January 2003 - PK Classic introduces a new motor, gearbox and controller and is re-branded "Legend"
October 2006 - The company moves to new premises in Sittingbourne, Kent.
2008 - New range of white PVC Cart Bags launched.
2010 - PowaKaddy TOUCH launched and wins Foremost's 2010 'Most Innovative Product'.
March 2011 - PowaKaddy launches the SPORT model.
April 2012 - Freeway Digital launched in April and was a finalist at the Pro Shop Europe Awards in November.
August 2012 - PowaKaddy taken back under the helm of John deGraft-Johnson and David Catford.
February 2013 - New Freeway Family range launched.
2015 - The FW7 wins Today's Golfer magazine's Gold Award.
2015 - Lithium outsells lead acid as the brand's most popular battery.