INTERVIEW: FOLAT
Born out of a competition prize of foil balloons, Folat founders Marc Mulckhuyse and Alex Adrichem have grown the company over the last three decades to become a leading supplier in the European party industry. Progressive Party gets together with Marc to hear about the journey so far.
Folat turns
I
t was a graduation project in which Marc Mulckhuyse and Alex Adrichem were paid in foil balloons that created the idea for the foundation of Folat. The duo sold the balloons at the Rotterdam marathon, making twice the original value of the items, and quickly realised the considerable opportunities available in the party sector. As a result, Folat was founded on 23 June, 1993. Initially the company was positioned as a wholesaler, and Marc and Alex drove around in a Volkswagen Golf selling to a wide variety of retailers including party shops, hospital shops, florists and tobacconists. Eventually the portfolio expanded to
Above: Co-founder, Marc Mulckhuyse. Right: Marc Mulckhuyse and Alex Adrichem set up the Folat business in 1993.
include party products and after some time, the pair begun to make some bold moves, and with some bravery, luck and good timing, they garnered interest from some larger retailers. From there the company grew and expanded outside
Benelux up to today, 30 years later, where it is still on a growth trajectory. Marc believes the party market is currently experiencing an exciting potential for growth: “New parties are crossing over from all over the world. We only now start to celebrate bigger and on more occasions. A party garland and a bunch of balloons are hardly enough any more. People want a party theme, reflected in every detail and a balloon arch to match. This is an underestimated market full of potential and we are only at the beginning.” As well as celebrating bigger, Marc sees that consumers are identifying new reasons to celebrate all the time. He continues: “I thoroughly enjoy a good party. I relish the
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