A return to simplicity- it’s a thought that is on everyone’s mind. More modest vacations, less lavish homes, fewer evenings spent dining out – all in an attempt to stretch the dollar as far as it can go. But where does this paring down get us when it comes to designing our built environment and the products we use every day? Matter investigates in our latest issue.
MATERIAL CONNEXION ANNOUNCES ITS 10TH GLOBAL LOCATION
TO OPEN IN JAPAN IN OCTOBER 2013
NEW YORK, March 2013 – Material ConneXion, the world’s largest library of innovative, advanced and sustainable materials and consulting services, today announced the opening of its 10th international library, located in Tokyo, Japan. Material ConneXion Tokyo will be licensed to Japanese printing giant Nissha Printing Co., Ltd.
Over the past three years, Material ConneXion has expanded its reach to Turkey, Korea, China and Sweden, establishing important networks and business relationships that led to the opening of the Japanese branch. As the world’s third largest economy, Japan thrives on technology and innovation, making the need for advanced materials important in the nation’s development across industries.
With more than 3,000 employees and 23 subsidiaries, Nissha is a key player in the materials business, dominating the market by offering five key technologies: CMF design, printing coating, processing, material design and materials evaluation and solutions. The company’s experience in material application combined with Material ConneXion’s knowledge will establish game-changing industry cross-pollination for designers across Japan.
Material ConneXion Tokyo will open its doors in October 2013 with an initial library of 500 samples and an additional 30-40 new materials each month. The library will offer membership and consulting services to designers from all disciplines with the expert support of its in-house Materials Scientists and materials specialists.
“To be a trendsetter, you should know where to look for ideas, proactively find solutions and define the elements that form a trend. Material ConneXion offers researchers, designers and creatives the inspiration they need to produce innovative products and services for their customers. Tokyo is a leading source of trend information and Japan is one of the most advanced centers of raw materials and processing technologies. I am sure Material ConneXion and our raw local dynamism will be quite a force,” said Junya Suzuki, president and CEO of Nissha Printing Co., Ltd.
“Japan is a leader in many fields that are vital for Material ConneXion, such as technology and innovation. As one of the country’s preeminent printing houses, Nissha is the ideal partner for us to introduce a library into this booming region,” said Michele Caniato, president of Material ConneXion. “Their core values, like ours, focus on innovation and advancement. We look forward to working with the Japanese market firms and designers involved in all facets of design, be it fashion, automotive, architecture or large consumer product companies.”
“It is wonderful news that Nissha will take part in opening a Material ConneXion library in Japan. I truly hope that with the help of this new library, Japanese designers will be able to easily source the best and most appropriate materials from all over the world, while at the same time allowing fine Japanese materials to be introduced globally,” said Koichiro Tsujino, president and CEO of ALEX Corporation, former president of Google Japan and former GM of Sony Vaio. “Moreover, the library will create the opportunity for the local community to take advantage of new technologies like 3D CAD or 3D printing, which are becoming increasingly accessible. I strongly believe that this will contribute to the growing momentum of fabrication in the 21st century.”
The Simplicity Issue
About Material ConneXion
Material ConneXion, a SANDOW company, is a global materials and innovation consultancy that helps companies create the products and services of tomorrow through smart materials and design thinking. Focused on delivering Innovation That Matters, Material ConneXion is the trusted advisor to Fortune 500 companies, as well as forward-thinking companies or government agencies seeking a creative, competitive or sustainable edge. With 10 locations in New York, Milan, Cologne, Bangkok, Seoul, Daegu, Istanbul, Beijing, Shanghai and Skövde, Material ConneXion’s international network of specialists provides a global, cross-industry perspective on materials, design, new product development, sustainability and innovation. Material ConneXion maintains the world’s largest subscription-based Materials Library of almost 7,000 innovative materials and processes—an indispensable asset to a wide audience of users. Its sister company, Culture + Commerce, represents the world’s leading designers including Philippe Starck and Marcel Wanders, in licensing their groundbreaking new products and projects. For more information, visit https://www.materialconnexion.com
