eFOLDi targets lucrative US market and partners with Afikim to supercharge export growth
Portable mobility equipment specialist eFOLDi has announced a partnership with Afikim Electric Vehicles to distribute its eFOLDi Lite scooter in the United States.
The collaboration secures eFOLDi access to the world’s largest market for mobility equipment and leverages an established retailer network with one of the most recognised brands in the scooter business.
Despite negotiating some challenging trading conditions over the course of the pandemic, the Surrey-based business experienced a dramatic uplift in sales turnover.
The growth in revenue at eFOLDi followed a comprehensive refocus in its trade operation and further expansion into new export markets, mainly in Europe. Its latest plans now focus due west, with market development in the US identified as a key priority to help drive the next phase of growth.
As an established global business, focused on the manufacture of premium, high-specification scooters, Afikim benefits from having a strong foothold in the US scooter market with a distribution network spread right across the country.
The lucrative US market for mobility devices is set to see an extraordinary surge in demand, impacted by a rise in the prevalence of disabilities, with an ageing population that also continues to grow at pace.
The U.S Census Bureau predicts 2030 will represent a major demographic turning point for the US. Its population projections indicate one in every five Americans will be of retirement age by 2030, equating to more than 73 million people.
Compared to 2010, these predictions represent a 50 per cent increase overall – a stark indicator of the changing shape of the population, as well as the prospects for manufacturers and retailers in the mobility industry.
The partnership with Afikim centres on the ‘Lite’ which is the latest, and most advanced scooter from eFOLDi. Weighing 17kg, the Lite folds and unfolds in just a few seconds, and is easy to store and transport – making it the perfect travel companion.
Having previously won the prestigious “Innovation of the Year’ award at the Naidex event in 2021, the Lite is proving to be extremely popular with end-users and retailers, both in the UK and overseas.
Sumi Wang, Chief Executive Officer at eFOLDi, remarked, “We are thrilled to be partnering with a company the likes of Afikim, who come with a very strong reputation within the industry. The cultures of our businesses are very much aligned, and we see this collaboration being a major milestone in the evolution of our business.
“While demand for mobility scooters is expected to increase dramatically in the US over the coming years, the commercial environment is still tough to navigate, and we couldn’t have chosen a more experienced partner to help us achieve our ambitious plans for growth.”
Lee Wheatley, President of US Operations for Afikim, commented, “We expect to see a significant rise in retail sales for high-end scooters, the outcome of which will be a $10 billion industry within the next five to eight years.
“Our research identified a significant untapped opportunity, for a lightweight, folding scooter and we have been looking to source a suitable product for some time.
“Being one of the lightest, most portable devices available, means the eFOLDi Lite really impressed us and it matches the requirements for at least 80% of our target consumers. The quality of the eFOLDi products and their after-sales support package also ensures a very good fit alongside the Afikim portfolio.”
Nevo Zori, the CEO of Afikim, expressed his enthusiasm for the new collaboration with eFOLDi. He said, “We are very happy to join forces with eFOLDi, a company that shares our vision of providing the best solutions for our customers.
“The eFOLDi scooters are the most advanced and lightweight scooters in the market, and they complement our range of high-quality Afikim scooters. Together, we can offer a diverse and competitive portfolio of scooters to the US market and make a positive impact on the lives of our customers.”
