FEW new businesses can claim to have clinched a contract with one of the largest companies in Europe.

But that is just what a fledgling firm from Kendal achieved barely two months after it was launched.

K2 Group Services Ltd was formed by friends and business partners Stephen Kitchen and Jonathan Kennedy in April.

And the IT solutions company has already secured a rolling contract from Vodafone to act as the telecom giant's national representative, selling its vehicle tracking service to corporate clients.

The tracking system uses satellite technology to pinpoint the exact location of a vehicle, anywhere in the country, making it ideal for companies operating fleets of cars or lorries.

"We go out as Vodafone contractors to corporate customers and sell and manage its corporate vehicle tracking solutions," explained Mr Kitchen.

Clients include big names such as security firm Group 4 and the Ministry of Defence.

So how did the partners manage to land such a prestigious contract so soon after launching K2GS Ltd?

As can often be the case in business, it was as much a case of who they knew as what they knew.

For the pair previously worked for another Kendal-based IT firm which had worked with Vodafone, and were able to use their contacts to clinch the contract.

Dealing with Vodafone has not only enhanced K2's credibility in the market place, but also provided much-needed stability as the business partners seek to spread their wings.

By acting as project managers, they can take charge of a wide range of IT matters, from a website for a small B&B, to multimedia or SMS (text messaging) applications for a multi-national company.

K2 essentially acts as a middle man, calling on the services of accredited IT suppliers to bring projects to fruition.

The business is behind the official website for former tennis star Pat Cash, and has carried out systems networking for self-catering company Heart of the Lakes.

K2 also expects big things from a new Child Safe initiative that harnesses the latest technology to help protect youngsters.

Under the scheme, which was promoted on GMTV in the run-up to the school summer holidays, parents supply photos of their children to a national database.

If the youngsters get lost in a public place, such as a shopping mall or tourist attraction that is signed up to the scheme, parents can ring a special hotline, pass on their details and then staff monitoring CCTV camera footage can instantly call up images of the child and start searching for them.

K2 is acting as consultant for the Child Safe scheme in the North West, visiting shopping centres and other venues registering an interest in the initiative.

Other irons are also in the fire for Mr Kitchen and Mr Kennedy, who relishing the opportunity to run their own business.

"We've always wanted to work for ourselves. It was a case of finding out what our business skills were and what areas we were most knowledgeable in and utilising contacts that we had through working in the industry," said Mr Kitchen.