The company’s magazines, all specialising in the international construction sector, now go to every single country in the world – an achievement the company claims is unique in the international business-to-business sector.
In recognition of these and many other achievements, the company has won the Queen’s Award for Enterprise, the most prestigious British industry award in 2010, in the highly competitive International Trade category for continuous outstanding achievement sustained over not less than six years. Her Majesty the Queen makes the Awards on the advice of the Prime Minister, who is assisted by an Advisory Committee that includes representatives of government, industry and commerce, and the trade unions.
“This award is a huge honour and testimony to KHL’s outstanding team throughout the world, and just reward for their hard work and ingenuity during the recent global downturn,” said KHL Group’s managing director James King (pictured on the right). “Key contributions to achieving the International Trade award have been pioneering initiatives into the two giant world markets of the USA and China. In North America, we now have a company that publishes two market-leading magazines, websites, newsletters and books. And we aim to use this company as a vehicle to launch or acquire other titles for the North and South American markets in the future,” added Mr King.
KHL Group has always generated over 80% of its revenue from outside the UK. Its ten international magazines for the construction industry now reach every single country in the world and provide vehicles for global companies to reach their international target audience.
“In China, we have a Joint Venture publishing company that produces a Chinese language magazine and provides services for Chinese companies to help market their products globally. Taking early advantage of China’s massive economic growth has made it KHL’s third largest market this year. Having opened an office in Beijing and employed an excellent team there, KHL is now benefiting from ten years of long-term commitment to China.”
Other key international markets for KHL are Germany, Scandinavia, Italy, France, South Korea, The Netherlands, Japan, Spain, Belgium and Turkey (where KHL has another JV publishing company producing a Turkish language publication).
This year’s awards were announced on the Queen’s birthday, 21 April, with only 95 winners of the International Trade category.
The award lasts for five years and previous winners include JCB, The Premier League, BUPA, Pearson (Financial Times publisher), Du Pont, BBC Worldwide, and British Airways.
About KHL
KHL says: “Established in 1989 by James King, KHL produced its fi rst magazine, Construction Europe, in April 1990, with Paul Marsden (pictured above, on the left) as editor and James King as publisher. Paul Marsden became a shareholder and director in 1991. The company currently employs more than 40 people.
Since 1992 KHL has also had a Dutch partner, Kenter and Co. B.V. based in Goor in The Netherlands. Tony Kenter, managing director of Kenter & Co is a board member and chairman of KHL Group.
KHL Group today is a fast-growing provider of international business information primarily aimed at the world's construction industry. The Group has six international business-to-business magazines, two US domestic magazines, and Chinese and Turkish domestic magazines. Over the years, the introduction of seven internet sites, a thriving events division, a specialist book shop and book publishing division, two exhibitions, five directories, and a list rental/direct mail service have all helped the successful growth of KHL Group as a full-service information provider for the international construction industry.
The main revenue stream for the company comes from display and classified advertising in the main magazine titles, but other revenue sources such as 360° marketing, bookshop sales, internet revenue, and revenue from exhibitions and events, are also being developed successfully. The website KHL.com was re-launched in early 2009.”
