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Pantone Launches Japan-based Arm

A Japanese Web site is currently in production.

Mairi Beautyman -- Interior Design, 10/17/2006 12:00:00 AM

Pantone recently took big steps to expand its Japanese market. On October 4, the color system provider launched Japan-based Pantone Japan Co., a local arm for the country. With this move, Pantone plans to better serve its Japanese market and introduce its Pantone Color Systems throughout Japan's design and manufacturing sectors.

"Japan is too important a market to service from the outside,” says Richard Herbert, president and COO of Pantone. "We must understand the specific needs of our Japanese customers and provide better local marketing support.”

With distributors and partner companies, Pantone has been a presence in Japan for the past 40 years. Building on this presence, Herbert has set ambitious goals. Over the next three years, he intends to increase sales in Japan by 100 percent, courtesy of distribution in the printing, publishing, and textile industries, and new direct business with key corporate accounts. Yuko Ishii, who previously held key management positions at Coca-Cola (Japan) Company, Limited; Budweiser Japan Co.; and the Walt Disney Company (Japan), will head up business development for the new company as managing director.

A Japanese Web site—something the company says is crucial to strengthening overall brand awareness and market demand—is currently in development.