Businessmen and women at a conference in the United Kingdom recently learned more about Greater Hazleton and its advantages as a business location from one of the newest companies to locate within the CAN DO Corporate Center.

Darren Buttle, president and chief executive officer of ABF USA, which designs and manufactures innovative office furniture, served as one of the speakers during Venturefest Yorkshire. Up to 2,000 science, technology and knowledge entrepreneurs attend the expo, which features a variety of business speakers and information on professional services.

During Venturefest, Buttle discussed export strategy and the importance of a good location as part of his topic, “Success in a Global Market.” His company designs and manufactures unique office furniture solutions through its Kite brand. Kite Table Systems have been designed and engineered taking into consideration technology, communication, personal space and even issues that people with disabilities may face. The systems are portable and multifunctional, as they are easily reconfigured.

ABF USA has recently located its United States offices in the CAN DO Corporate Center in Drums.

“We feel that Hazleton is a great area in which to invest and will be very beneficial for our business,” Buttle said.

Several people and organizations helped steer ABF toward Greater Hazleton during the two years the company was seeking its U.S. home. First, the United Kingdom Trade and Investment Network (UKTI) put Buttle in touch with Richard Kilner, managing director of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania European Investment Office, who works to attract European companies to Pennsylvania. The commonwealth office then connected Buttle with Penny Cannella of Penn’s Northeast, which serves as northeastern Pennsylvania's single point of contact for businesses looking to expand or relocate. Penn’s Northeast and CAN DO, Greater Hazleton’s economic development agency, assisted Buttle in finding his company’s home in the CAN DO Corporate Center.

“We were looking for a property with plenty of space and opportunity to grow and that offered a ‘wow’ factor. We found all that and more in the corporate center,” Buttle said.

For ABF, the potential of the area was key in the decision to locate in Drums. The company exports to Canada, South America and the Caribbean from its Drums location and will be using U.S. suppliers for 85 percent of its product content.

“These factors align perfectly with our company’s goal of improving the way people meet, train and communicate around the world,” Buttle said.

He noted that CAN DO and Vice President of Sales and Marketing Joseph Lettiere were very helpful in locating his company in Greater Hazleton.

“We chose this area in part because of the advice and expertise offered by CAN DO and Penn’s Northeast, who made it easy to locate here. In particular, Joe really went beyond the call of duty in his assistance and made us feel very comfortable,” Buttle said.

Lettiere said, “We are pleased to have ABF in the CAN DO Corporate Center. ABF demonstrates the diversity of companies in CAN DO’s industrial parks and corporate center. This innovative company brings several patented technologies, along with design and engineering skills, to the Hazleton area.”

Buttle said Lettiere also did an excellent job of introducing him to the area’s social side, which is important to ABF’s business.

“We like to think we do business with a difference. Nearly all our staff are semi-professional musicians and we hold events all around the United States, performing and engaging with communities,” said Buttle, who himself plays bass guitar.

Lettiere said, “Working with Darren and Joe (Prendergast) from ABF USA to find a suitable location in the Hazleton area was really an enjoyable process. Darren and Joe are extremely passionate about their products and technology and both showed tremendous interest in matching the culture of their company with our community. Getting them acclimated to the region was a good opportunity to showcase many of the great things happening socially within our region.”