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

Karimoku is a company that combines a deep understanding of carpentry craftsmanship with cutting-edge technologies to build furniture of the highest possible quality and 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. Since, it has successfully added design driven brands such as KARIMOKU CASE, KUNST and MAS.

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

www.karimoku-newstandard.jp

www.karimoku-case.com

www.karimokukunst.com

mas.karimoku.com

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. worked as MEETEE’s European Marketing & Sales representative between May 2016 and August 2021, 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.