In 1969 Ivan and Eva Kovac and their four young children arrived in Australia with four suit cases and life savings totaling $500, to pursue a new life in their new land of opportunity. Ivan, a third generation cabinet maker, and having worked extensively throughout Europe, found employment with a Victorian based billiard table manufacturer. Appalled and disenchanted with the quality of workmanshi
p being displayed at his new place of employment, and fueled by the entrepreneurial spirit within this new country that the family quickly began to call their home. B & K Billiard Tables commenced operation from a small factory located in the back streets of Dandenong, Victoria, only some nine months after the family’s arrival. With virtually no knowledge of the English language, Ivan depended entirely on his honesty and pride, in the quality of his craftsmanship for the business to succeed, often relying on his children, who were then attending local schools, to help with the administration of the paperwork. Early in the 1970’s, the firm was invited to participate in the “Ideal Home Show” situated at the old Exhibition Buildings. Awarded the Gold Medal 1st Prize for excellence in furniture designs, the business has never since looked back. Nearly 50 years on, the business operates from it’s showroom and workshop premises situated at 396 Princes Highway, Noble Park, Victoria. It has various agencies nationwide, and has supplied tables internationally. The firm has also worked with some of the country’s leading builders and interior designers, as well as supplied tables to leading identities. The firm is also highly respected by both its competitors and peers, providing tables for various national and state snooker championships. We at B&K Traditional Billiards specialize in custom made to order billiard tables. Anything from Stainless steel and chrome tables, too 2pac paints and stained tables which we can colour match to existing furniture. We also specialize in making tables out of native timbers, such as Tasmanian Blackwood, Tasmanian Oak, Western Australia Jarrah, Mahogany, New Guinea Rosewood and Ect. The slate we use is from Italy and the cloth we use is English strachan 6811B, which comes from the West of England. We only use the finest materials possible on our tables and all our tables are Australian Made. A 15yr Manufacturing Warranty goes with every table that leaves our Premises
Ivan Kovac passed away on the 26th August 1997 and will be sadly missed. With the business now being administrated by his grandson Damien Salopek, his number one cabinetmaker Ian Tonks and the help of Ivan’s daughter Lydia. He can rest assured that the tradition of pride and quality workmanship has been passed on, with the family looking forward to continuing the firm’s reputation as Australia’s finest billiard table manufacturer well into the next millennium.
