By Andrea Lillo
Fourteen years after founding Snapware, John Lown looked to Eastern inspiration for his next challenge, partnering up with Japanese housewares company Takeya. Now president and chief executive officer of Takeya USA, Lown hopes to bring the design and innovation of the Japanese company to the American market, and with an American sensibility.
Takeya, which means “bamboo valley” in Japanese, has had a successful line in Japan for many years, Lown said. “They are the leader in Japan in beverageware and innovative materials,” he said. Lown met Takeya head Hiroshi Taketani through a consulting firm 12 years ago and a friendship developed. “We both have a passion for product design,” Lown said. Several years ago, the two began talking about the U.S. market, and eventually the idea of an American subsidiary of Takeya arose.
Based a block away from the beach in Huntington Beach, Calif., the U.S. division includes Wayne Calco, vice president of design, who joined the company from home media storage company Atlantic. Four other designers based in Japan will also be involved with the brand. Warehousing is in Long Beach, Calif., and manufacturing will take place in Japan, China and Taiwan. “We’re taking Japanese design and quality and tailoring it for the U.S. consumer,” Lown said, as well as targeting the specialty retailer. The company will launch the brand at the International Home & Housewares Show in March, and then exhibit at the Gourmet Housewares Show and nationwide gift shows.
“Our overall focus will be in storage and organization,” he said, but the line will begin with about 25 items in beverageware. That will include refrigerator jugs, he said, which are containers for either hot or cold drinks and made out of a trademarked BPA-free acrylic material called acry glass, which is similar to glass. The jugs have a sleek design so they can fit into the side door of a refrigerator, and will also have a handle to be portable. “The Japanese are good at organizing small spaces,” and do it with a clean, contemporary look, Lown said. Eventually, “we will hit all areas of the home,” he said, which will include storage for the kitchen, bath and office.
Takeya USA will also show reusable hydration bottles, also made of the acry glass. “These are more for urban living than traditional sports bottles,” Lown said, so users can take them to work or out to eat. The retail prices for both lines will be from $3.99 to $19.99.