Landscape Forms Announces Partnership with Brazilian Company

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Sep 10, 2013

Landscape Forms will partner with Kojima Signalization and Interiors, a São Paulo- based manufacturer, to import, manufacture and distribute Landscape Forms products in Brazil. The partnership marks a milestone in the North American site furniture manufacturer’s global strategy. Landscape Forms President Richard Heriford, explains:

“In 2010, we teamed with BMW Group DesignWorksUSA to develop a plan and growth strategies for making Landscape Forms the global premium brand of outdoor furniture, accessories and lighting. We energized our product platform with an initiative we call Global 45 targeted toward new markets with fast growing economies in which design is valued and the design professions are well established. Brazil’s thriving economy and investment in development and Kojima’s robust capabilities and relationships within the design community make them the ideal place and partner. With the Kojima partnership, Brazil will become Landscape Forms’ first market outside North America to provide sales, service and manufacturing.”

Kojima, founded in 1993, is located in São Paulo, Brazil’s largest city. The company has annual sales of $12 million and employs 100 people, among them full time sales agents who call on the design communities centered in Rio and São Paulo. They employ technical support staff, skilled installation technicians, and quality control and customer service personnel. Kojima’s state-of-the-art equipment and manufacturing competencies are compatible with outdoor furniture. The company will import components, build to order, sell, market, install and service Landscape Forms products.

Kojima Founder and Director, Helio Shoiti Okamoto, is excited about this growth opportunity for his company: “We were delighted to see that Landscape Forms products are so beautiful. Kojima has always worked with quality products, perfect finishing and distinctive design, so our companies have similar cultures. The market in which Kojima operates is very similar to Landscape Forms and it will be quite easy to use our existing structure for Landscape Forms products. From the moment we met and began to analyze the market we realized the opportunities, such as the revitalization of the city of São Paulo, the construction of more than 52 shopping centers, the refurbishment and construction of airports, new subway stations in São Paulo, and many others.”

Landscape Forms’ Global 45 program, named to mark the company’s 45th year in business, was conceived specifically to meet the demands of an international market. Fewer parts, focused assembly and local materials are cornerstones of Global 45, which offers collections designed by international designers to have widespread appeal. The products can be appropriately customized using materials and finishes specific to a region and will be sold, assembled and serviced by local partners. Landscape Forms’ continued international growth and success will benefit from both the Global 45 plan and this strategic partnership with Kojima in Brazil.

About Landscape Forms

Landscape Forms is the industry leader in integrated collections of high-design site furniture and advanced LED lighting. Since its founding in 1969 Landscape Forms has earned a reputation for excellent design, high quality products and exceptional service. The Landscape Forms U.S. headquarters and manufacturing facility is located in Kalamazoo, Michigan with sales offices throughout North America, the United Kingdom, Southern Europe, the United Arab Emirates and Asia. Landscape Forms collaborates with renowned industrial designers and consultancies, landscape architects, and architects to design and develop integrated collections of products that address emerging needs and help create a sense of place. Additionally, the company has formed global marketing partnerships with select companies that share its commitment to design. Landscape Forms has an installed base of products around the world. Clients include municipalities, transit centers, corporate, college and health care campuses; and familiar brand leaders such as Boeing, Cisco Systems, Disney, Sprint, American Airlines, Herman Miller and Nike. The company was recently named by the Wall Street Journal as one of the Top 15 Small Workplaces in the US. Visit www.landscapeforms.com

About Kojima

Kojima was founded in 1993, and entered the metallurgical market as a supplier of boxes and enclosures for electronic equipment and computers, providing accurate, perfectly finished products on time. Kojima introduced computerized signaling equipment to Brazil in 2003. Today Kojima works closely with architecture firms, advertising agencies, design offices and construction companies with a support team consisting of architects, designers, engineers and technicians in fine mechanics. With state of the art production equipment, highly trained and specialized technicians create product for a wide customer base in all market sectors including hospitality, financial, education, health and retail industries. Kojima has earned a reputation for excellent service, on time delivery and products with impeccable quality. Visit www.kojima.com.br

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