Orbitkey
Richmond (Wurundjeri), Victoria.
Australian Export Awards supports the systems
Recognition as the winner of the 2025 Creative Industries award validates our collective hard work, inspires our team, and encourages other local businesses to pursue international opportunities with confidence.
Rex Kuo, Co-Founder.
Orbitkey unlocks export success
Orbitkey was born to solve a common everyday problem: noisy, messy keys.
It was a simple idea shared between 2 friends. Charles, an industrial designer, and Rex, a pharmacist. Today, Melbourne’s award-winning design brand, Orbitkey, crafts elegant and functional accessories that elevate the way people work, travel, and carry their everyday essentials.
The 2025 winner of the Creative Industries award category, Orbitkey’s thoughtfully designed range brings clarity, function and simplicity to people around the world.
Operating from 5 third-party logistics warehouses, the brand currently exports to more than 100 countries. In the past 3 years, Orbitkey has grown its annual revenue by 40%.
Sustainability in the bag
‘As a certified B Corp, we’re committed to thoughtful design that improves people’s daily lives while minimising environmental impact,’ says Rex Kuo, Orbitkey’s Co-Founder.
Orbitkey is also certified as a climate-neutral business, offsetting 100% of its carbon emissions through global carbon reduction projects.
‘We use recycled materials including nylon and PU leather to minimise our environmental impact,’ says Kuo. ‘We hope to show both customers and businesses that success and responsibility can coexist.’
Local presence a key success factor
One of Orbitkey’s most impactful international milestones in the past year was the launch of a third-party logistics warehouse in the UK.
Previously, UK customers faced long shipping times, costly duties, and value-added tax (VAT) complications.
‘Establishing a local warehouse allowed us to overcome these barriers, enabling faster delivery, reduced costs, and a much smoother customer experience,’ says Kuo.
Canada: The next growth market
Canada is Orbitkey’s next growth priority. ‘It shares many similarities with Australia from cultural diversity to consumer values and appreciation for well-designed, innovative products,’ says Kuo.
With a newly established logistics hub to ensure faster, more convenient shipping, Canada is a natural extension of Orbitkey’s success in the US.
‘It allows us to expand our reach while building deeper relationships with Canadian consumers,’ says Kuo.
Accessories sales soar in South Korea
South Korea has become an unexpected but significant growth market for Orbitkey, reflecting strong demand for design-led accessories.
‘Initially, sales in Korea were slow as traditional keys are less common there. But as we expanded into desk and tech accessories, demand surged,’ says Kuo.
‘This growth shows the value of building genuine, long-term relationships with partners who believe in your brand, even before the market catches up.’
The Export Market Development Grants (EMDG) gave us the confidence to invest heavily in international growth during our early years. Knowing part of those costs would be reimbursed allowed us to exhibit at key global trade shows and build networks in new markets without overextending.
Rex Kuo, Co-Founder.
Australian Export Awards supports the system
Kuo sees the Australian Export Awards as a great opportunity to gain recognition both here and abroad.
As a first-time national finalist and winner of the 2025 Creative Industries award category, he would strongly encourage other exporters to apply and showcase their own achievements.
‘Recognition validates our collective hard work, inspires our team, and encourages other local businesses to pursue international opportunities with confidence.’
Export Market Development Grant boosts confidence
Austrade’s Export Market Development Grants (EMDG) program helps small and medium Australian businesses to start and grow exports in international markets.
‘The EMDG gave us the confidence to invest heavily in international growth during our early years,’ says Kuo.
‘Knowing part of those costs would be reimbursed allowed us to exhibit at key global trade shows and build networks in new markets without overextending.’
The key to ongoing export success
Orbitkey’s export growth over the next 5 years will be driven by strategic investments in product development, e-commerce scale, and global retail expansion.
‘Our direct-to-consumer e-commerce channels will remain a key growth engine,’ says Kuo. ‘As we scale, we are investing in supply chain resilience and local warehousing infrastructure to ensure consistent service levels across markets.’
These strategic efforts will allow Orbitkey to grow sustainably, deepen brand visibility, and expand its presence across continents.
Visit Orbitkey website.
