12:50pm Wednesday 21st November 2007
By Mohammed Bhana
Deep in the heart of Bradford lies a car automotive manufacturer with a difference.
Project Kahn is a design based automotive company led by creative visionary: Afzal Kahn.
Breathtaking individually tailored automobiles await those who will not submit to a life of uniformity only accepting perfection and dedication.
Premier League stars including: Peter Crouch, Michael Ball, Sam Allardyce, Dickson Etuhu and entire Chelsea squad have cars and alloy wheels which were designed at Project Kahn.
Various celebs are also jumping on the bandwagon - Arnold Schwarzenegger - the governor of California famous for starring in the Terminator movies has also ordered a car from Project Kahn.
The ordered monotony of the mass produced vehicle industry simply cannot compete with the exuberance of passion seen in all Project Kahn products.
The opulent beauty of a Project Kahn prestige marque differs from the mainstream automotive market, which is flaccid stale and mass manufactured.
However, Afzal Kahn's story is reminiscent of a rags to riches story that any Hollywood producer would not shy away from.
Very few people actually know that Afzal, the son of Pakistani Immigrants actually sold eggs door to door at the tender age of 14: "When I was walking around selling eggs I used to look at car dealerships and I just knew deep down that I could totally re-invent the automotive industry," says Afzal.
"I always have had a passion for cars. 18 years ago I decided to go ahead and I started in the wheel industry. I was based in a small shack where I sold other manufacturers wheels.
I did that for 10 years and then established Kahn Design. I built it up very quickly and I started producing my own car accessories, exhausts and body kits."
The only thing that kept Afzal sane during those difficult times was his faith. It was his belief in the almighty that cemented his unrelenting self belief in his mission to establish himself as a force in the automotive industry: "I worked for free in a plastic moulding factory in order to get some experience of the manufacturing industry.
"lthough the hours were very long and tiring, I gained alot of experience and it held me in good stead. The experience was vital given that I was working for free; I was taught these values from my parents who instilled a religious and hard working ethic into me.
"I actually come from a very under-privileged background and I remember I used to go to school in wellington boots.
"Although Allah has given me so much; I have never forgotten my roots and I remember the hard times and what Allah has given me and Insha -Allah, the almighty will keep my feet on the ground.
"I work for many hours during the day and I also have time for my son Rahail who is a chip of the old block as they say. I make sure he comes to see me after school and we will have something to eat.
" will also make sure that he goes to mosque and ensure he grows up in a secure and safe environment, Insha -Allah."
In 1996, Afzal launched Kahn Design's first set of wheels. However, what held him back was the quality of manufacturing in the UK: "The quality here in England was inadequate.
" went to manufacturers all over the country and I couldn't find any good ones so I went all over the world to find a good manufacturer. Eventually I settled on an Italian manufacturer. I had finally found the quality and production capabilities to manufacture exactly what I wanted."
In 1996 Afzal launched the Rs-R and the RS-S alloy wheels - two completely new and innovative set of wheels that took the world by storm: "I was the first manufacturer to design a wheel with a spoke that ran to the very edge of the rim.
This particular style is one of the most replicated styles in the world. From the UK to the Middle East and America, you will see them at car shows, movies and absolutely every where you can imagine.
It was good to see that all those hours of hard work had finally paid off."
In 2001 he set up V12 Power Ltd. This particular company is one of the most prestigious bespoke vehicle specialists in the UK.
However, they were still standard manufactured vehicles. He wanted to add his own touch to bespoke vehicles. For this reason he set up Project Kahn.
Project Kahn is now the most successful automotive design house in the UK and is very rapidly expanding at an astonishing rate throughout the world.
Coupled with a property portfolio company by the name of Kahn Landmark that now includes the boat house' in the Lake District - which was one of the properties featured on Britain's favourite view - Afzal now has a buying power of over £75 million with properties worldwide.
I ask Kahn what differentiates Project Kahn from your competitors?
The Bradford born businessman sits back in his chair and adds: "As a Muslim you challenge conventions and recreate ideals within boundaries that have been set by Allah," says Kahn.
"Therefore, Project Kahn stays away from bling. The company's ethos is all about European styling. We make tailored vehicle solutions for bespoke clientele who want to break free from the conformities of standard manufacturers.
"Project Kahn is doing so well because there has been a massive increase in the average disposable income meaning that customers that a few years ago couldn't afford bespoke vehicles are now more able to do so - meaning there is an increase of bespoke vehicles on the road. Customers are becoming much more discerning in their purchases. People can afford a standard car. But why get a standard car when you can get a tailored vehicle solution by people who know what they are doing."
When asked about the secrets of his success - Afzal is adamant he only surrounds himself with people who can push the business forward. He would like to leave the pomp and glamour of being a multi millionaire to others: "I've no interest in the bling aspect or culture. Other people can do all that if they wish.
"I am always on look out for Creative and talented staff that can provide fresh ideas for Project Kahn and develop new tactics and concepts that can take my company forward."
What advice would you give to up and coming entrepreneurs?' "Go with the product that you love and live the product that you love," says Afzal.
"Don't listen to anybody who says that you can't achieve your dream and be prepared for a hard slog. You don't get anything on a plate - be prepared to work at a hundred miles per hour."
Now with his dream a reality and products being designed in England and produced using the highest quality manufacturing breaking free from the shackles of pressures to conform to the accepted rules - Project Kahn's Range Rover Sport, Bentley, Aston Martin and many other vehicles, set the standard that other organisations follow.
This however, is not enough for Afzal Kahn. The Kahn accessory range is growing rapidly and within the past few months they have produced two watch ranges with a choice of two colours within each range. This is the first Kahn fashion brand but expect more in the future with the launch of the Kahn Lifestyle' brand.
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