Zak Designs Inc. has set the table for a greater presence in Europe.


The Airway Heights-based dinnerware designer and manufacturer opened Zak Europe this month, with a main office just outside of Zurich, Switzerland, and a sales office in Bordeaux, France. The company has operated an office in the United Kingdom since 1998 and previously served most of Europe through distributors.


The new operation, the companys eighth international one, employs five people altogether and likely will grow to 15 workers in the next couple of years, says Irv Zakheim, Zak Designs president and CEO.


The establishment of the European operation follows a record-setting 2004 in which Zak Designs sales exceeded expectations, Zakheim says. The company posted $152 million in sales last year, up from $124 million in 2003.


The company is projecting a 25 percent increase in revenues in 2005and hopes to reach $250 million in sales in 2007, Zakheim says.


The company currently has a total of 300 employees globally, 190 of whom work at its Airway Heights plant.


Internationally, all of the companys operations outpaced projections, Zakheim says.


The United Kingdom offices sales grew by 50 percent in 2004, which is one reason the company decided to open Zak Europe, he says.


The success in the U.K. has built up our confidence to go farther into Europe, Zakheim says.


In addition to the United Kingdom and Europe offices, Zak Designs has international operations in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Australia, Mexico, Japan, and Canada.


Sales outside the U.S. currently account for half of the companys overall revenues, he says. In the next few years, he expects the international share to increase to 65 percent of overall sales.


The U.S. is a very competitive market, Zakheim says. When we go into international markets, were successful because of the lack of competition in many of our markets for what were doing.


Founded in 1976, Zak Designs makes childrens dinnerware emblazoned with depictions of popular cartoon characters and entertainers, ranging from Winnie the Pooh to Spider-Man to Strawberry Shortcake.


The company also makes adult dinnerware featuring the work of designers such as Spokanes Debbie Mumm.


The companys products are sold through many major retail chains, including giants such as Wal-Mart, Target, and Kmart.