A.J. Binns Limited was founded in 1937 when John Binns set up business in Great Marlborough Street in central London. When Julian Binns joined the company in 1970, having trained as an industrial designer, he commissioned Kenneth Grange to design a new range of products based on good looks, high quality materials and the flexibility to suit a wide range of applications. The range was given the name Variset® and won a Design Council Award in 1972. From the original multiple hook system, the range has developed to include many more products, with the quality of design, always the top priority.

Kenneth Grange is a product designer. He has spent over 50 years in private practice. He trained at Willesden School of Art from 1943–47, then spent one year in Architectural practice at Arcon. He spent the next two years in National Service Royal Engineers as a Technical Illustrator and from 1950–6 he was an assistant in Architectural Modernist Practices. He started his private practice from 1956, initially as an Interior and Architectural Designer and then building a comparatively big practice mainly in product design.

His principal clients include: Kodak – 30 years as a consultant designing many cameras and equipments including the famous Instamatic; Kenwood – Board appointment and 40 years as the designer of 100 plus domestic appliances; British Rail – the HST 125 and other products; Wilkinson Sword – for 30 years the designer and Board appointment of many shaving, gardening and other products; Ronson; AJ Binns; Manganese Bronze – London Black Cab. He worked extensively in Japan for many major brands, such as Adshel Bus Shelters and street furniture. He founded the design studio Pentagram in 1972 with Theo Crosby, Colin Forbes and Mervyn Kultansky to cover all aspects of design, in particular Graphics, Architecture, Product and general consultancy. He is currently designing products in the form of furniture, architectural fittings and lighting.

Kenneth Grange has been awarded numerous honours, awards and prizes for his designs and for services to the design industry, including: Duke of Edinburgh Elegant Design Prize (1963); 10 Design Council Awards from 1963; Chartered Society of Designers Minerva Gold Medal (1966); Royal Designer for Industry (1969); Solo show at the Victoria and Albert Museum (1983); Appointed CBE (1984); Five Honorary Doctorates: RCA, Heriot Watt, De Montfort, Staffs, Open University, 1985 onwards; Master of Royal Designers for Industry (1985); President of Chartered Society Designers (1987); Solo show Tokyo (1989); Board member Globe Theatre (1998); Prince Philip Designers Prize (2003); Visiting Professor at the Royal College of Art (2005 onwards).