What’s UP.?

UP. builds sustainable European market presences for established Japanese creative companies and vice versa. We offer our services based on a unique combination of specialist market knowledge, industry expertise and hands-on experience in both Japan and Europe.

Services provided by UP. include those in the fields of Marketing (such as marketing strategy and marketing communication), Sales (sales planning, lead generation, sales calls et cetera) and Operations (for example project management, translations and localisations).

UP. to it – our clients

KARIMOKU NEW STANDARD

Karimoku New Standard is a contemporary wooden furniture brand by Karimoku, a company that combines a deep understanding of carpentry craftsmanship with cutting-edge technologies to build furniture of the highest possible quality. Karimoku is the largest manufacturer of wood furniture in Japan.
Collaborating with some of the most promising international design talents, it launched KARIMOKU NEW STANDARD in 2009; a growing collection of innovative, joyful and functional objects that suit the ways of urban living in the 21st century.

UP. has been working closely with Karimoku New Standard since December 2012 as its Representative for Marketing & Sales for Europe and the US, helping in establishing a solid operational foundation in Europe, consulting on strategic marketing, working on marketing promotion and creating sales.

www.karimoku-newstandard.jp

Photos by Takumi Ota

TEMPO

Tempo is a Japanese brand that offers an intriguing collection of interior mobiles, designed by mostly Japanese designers and handcrafted in Japan.

UP. acts as Tempo’s European sales agent since February 2015.

www.t-e-m-p-o.com

MEETEE

A young brand that was launched by two manufacturers with a long history from Fuchu, Hiroshima Prefecture, in the western part of Japan. Employing only the highest quality materials and manufacturing methods, MEETEE is focused on a new vision of contemporary furniture design tailored for modern lifestyles to the highest levels of craftsmanship.

UP. works as MEETEE’s European Marketing & Sales representative since May 2016, on MEETEE’s operational base, strategic marketing, brand development and sales.

www.meetee.jp

Photos by Takumi Ota

TOKYO KNIT FASHION ASSOCIATION

The Tokyo Knit Fashion Association connects and supports companies located mostly in the Sumida district of Tokyo that are active in the knitting industry. The Tokyo 2020 project launched by the association with the support of the Tokyo Government aims to support its members through showcasing their technological prowess and business capabilities.

UP. for Design consulted with this project on improving members’ international marketing efforts and creating new business opportunities with the furniture- and interior accessories industries, between April 2018 and March 2019.

UP. next

Karimoku Case Study

at ICFF, New York, May 2020

Karimoku Furniture will take part in the International Contemporary Furniture Fair at Javits Center in New York for the first time with its new brand Karimoku Case Study.

Salone del Mobile

at Rho Fiera, Milan, April 13-18, 2021

Karimoku will exhibit Karimoku New Standard, Kunst by Karimoku and new brand Karimoku Case Study at the Salone del Mobile as well as Fuorisalone events in Brera and Tortona.