A little over 10 years ago, Liam and Michelle Beattie started HOTT 3 Dimensional Marketing in the small coastal town of Knysna in the Western Cape leaving employment in the Cape Town exhibition industry behind.
With grand intentions to take the Garden Route coastal region by storm (whilst following an idealistic lifestyle) selling an array of portable displays and exhibition services, we quickly realised that in smaller economies one has to diversify ones offering in order to remain profitable. And so began our journey in self taught webdesign, web SEO, social media, exhibition 3D design, graphic design not to mention the myriad of business knowledge required to navigate the difficult world that small businesses occupy.
Moving to a small home office on a farm in Harkerville, our early days saw us creating websites and marketing collateral for some of the most exclusive properties and tourism activities in the Garden Route and also project managing the brand requirement for exclusive events such as the annual Kurland International Polo tournament.
Ultimately the exhibition industry does not let go easily and so we slowly ventured back into exhibition design and manufacture. As the company continued to grow, we reached a point in 2010 where we there was no option, but to return to Cape Town and open an office and workshop geared towards manufacturing.
Since the 2010 move back, HOTT3D has grown rapidly to be an employer of 16 people with inhouse facilities that include a substantial 3D and 2D design studio, sales teams, administrative teams and a production team of 8 as well as a warehouse covering 1200m2 in Ottery.
We now carry an extensive stockholding of Octanorm Maxima, lighting, AV equipment and premium furniture. Our custom facilities are expanding to a point where we will soon have a full time internal custom division.
Our primary focus has always been to look after our staff. To back them, to pay them better than anywhere else in the industry, to allow them flexibility in their daily work lives and to work with them to improve their own lives. In looking after our staff we know that our clients will in turn be looked after.
HOTT3D will continue the drive to deliver the best quality end product in the industry using continuously innovative design. We will continue to tap into the huge growth market that is business tourism especially in the Cape Town area. With the CTICC expanding and new venues such as the Century City Convention Centre opening soon, the future looks bright for all involved in the industry.
In closing we would like to take this opportunity to thank each and every staff member, client and supplier who have been integral to the success of HOTT3D in our first 10 years. Its been quite the journey and long may it continue to all of our benefits.
Take a look at our 2015 portfolio
