New Value Creation
Basic Concepts
Initiatives in 2020
Airtrieve: A conference table that cleans the air of droplets
Work Pod: An assemblable workspace for one
Simplified face shields made from PET
Solana: An innovative office workstation
Energy Series: A power system that supports the modern digital workplace
Working from Home: An exhibition space for home office furniture at KOKUYO Tokyo
Work Transformation: A conceptual handbook for tomorrow’s workplace
Partnering with spacemotion to enhance disaster-preparedness in office buildings and mixed-use buildings
Solutions for employee safety, workplace flexibility, and the digital workplace
Airtrieve is a table for conference rooms that absorbs airborne droplets generated by sneezing, coughing, or speaking, and thus stops potentially viral particles dispersing around the conference room. We accepted the first orders in December 2020. Many people in the business world desire face-to-face communication but are worried about the risk of infection. Airtrieve addresses this concern. It consists an air purifier unit with an electronic air filter embedded beneath the table surface. At the center of the table surface is an inlet grid, which creates 2.5 meters of airflow a second to stop exhaled droplets dispersing around the room. The air purifier then filters 15 cubic meters of airflow every minute (per single air purifier unit). In this way, Airtrieve gives users the assurance that the room has clean and safe air
*Website content Japanese language only
Airtrieve (W4800)
*Website content Japanese language only
*Website content Japanese language only
*Website content Japanese language only
An office with SOLANA desks
In early March 2021, we released the Energy Series—two kinds of portable charging stations that enable office workers to perform digital tasks in areas with no grid connection nearby.
Amid the pandemic, office workers increasingly perform their tasks digitally. They use videoconferencing to communicate and interactive displays to collaborate in team tasks.
However, power can be issue when performing digital tasks in areas of the office that have no grid connection nearby, such as an office lounge or cafeteria. The Energy Series solves this problem. The series includes two kinds of portable charging station (capacity: 540 Wh / 150,000 mAhV): Energy Display Mobile and Energy Card. Both charging stations enable workers to perform digital tasks for long periods without low-battery anxiety (running times vary depending on the number and types of the connected devices).
Wireless and portable, these Energy Series units give users freedom over where to perform their tasks. Up to four devices can be plugged into the unit, so multiple digital tasks can be performed simultaneously. The unit itself can be charged when not in use (such as at night). By removing dependence on grid connections, the Energy Series supports the digital workplace.
*Website content Japanese language only
*Website content Japanese language only
“Working from Home”—home office furniture displayed at KOKUYO Tokyo Showroom
On June 15, 2020, we published Work Transformation, a conceptual handbook about workplace transformation and office designs in the post-pandemic age (such as an accelerated rise to remote working and a shift to digital work), and one of our representatives led a webinar to discuss the book’s contents.
Work Transformation outlines our vision for the workplaces of tomorrow. It presents ideas for supporting workplace transformation and discusses the challenges and benefits associated with anti-infection measures and workplace building.
As part of our corporate citizenship, we will continue to support the creation of safe and productive office spaces, in addition to protecting employee wellbeing.
*Website content Japanese language only
The WORK TRANSFORMATION handbook
Creative stationery and other solutions for modern learning environments
On July 8, 2020, we released Piiip, a double pencil case consisting of a transparent outer case and a non-transparent inner pouch. The front pocket can be used to show off stylish stationery, while the inner pouch can be used for more specialized stationery you want to keep hidden from view. The inner pouch has four side pockets for storing smaller stationery items that can easily get lost among larger items.
These days, students want their stationery to be more than just functional; they want it to look good. Students like to show off their stationery to their friends on social media or share pictures of themselves studying. This practice can help motivate the students to study harder.
*Website content Japanese language only
In February 2020, we released a Mark+ (pronounced “maaku tasu”), a set of twin-color marker pens. In September that year, we released a second version.
The first version, called the “two tone color marker,” has a double nib at one end of the pen that lets you add color-differentiated marking to the page. This version was released at the Bungo Joshi Haku, a big stationery festival in Japan, and it went viral.
The second version, called “two way color marker,” is a double-ended pen. At one end is a fine (0.3 mm) nib for writing. At the other is a wide nib for highlighting. You can write with the fine nib and then use the wide nib to highlight sections of the text.
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Two tone color markers
Two way color markers
*Website content Japanese language only
*Website content Japanese language only
*Website content Japanese language only
Larger organizer case
Compact organizer case
Other products and innovations
On June 25, 2020, we released a notebook, called Notebook for Black and White Writing, based on a design that was highly commended at the 2018 KOKUYO Design Awards. The notebook has gray paper and you write on it in black or white. This design achieves an innovative and pleasant notebook by exploiting a visual quirk—it is hard to read dark and light text simultaneously. The notebook is sold at Think of Things, a lifestyle shop and café, and on our online store, KOKUYO Showcase. It has made an impact on social media and traditional media.
*Website content Japanese language only
*Website content Japanese language only
Gender-neutral resume form
In September 2020, we joined LivingAnywhere Work.1 To support a transformation in workstyles, we communicate with the other members and work with them to test out new workplace sharing and other flexible workplace models.
1 LivingAnywhere Work is a workspace sharing platform based on LivingAnywhere Commons.
2 A number of businesses, local governments, and other organizations across Japan have signed up the platform and provided their premises as shared workspaces.
2 Operated by Lifull, LivingAnywhere Commons is a community of people who want to remove the constraints of location in work, rest, and play, allowing people to live and work anywhere.
*Website content Japanese language only
On October 1, 2020, we opened Kau-Box, a Kaunet showroom, on the ground floor of our Shinagawa office. Kau-Box showcases Kaunet’s premium range, Kaukore, as well as the retailer’s office goods and office furniture. Staff are also on hand to advise on layout. People are welcome to visit by prior appointment. The Kau-Box logo conveys Kaunet’s desire to be like a box full of ideas and inspiration.
*Website content Japanese language only
Better online marketing, better online communication
On November 30, 2020, we launched online shop – KOKUYO Workstyle Shop, a B2C e-commerce site. The merchandise on the online store consists of around 4,000 items, including big sellers like “ing,” a rocking office chair. This lineup is intended to add value to customers’ home life by helping them find a healthy balance between work and play.
Although the products can be used to build a home office for remote work, they also enhance home life outside of work. Our aim is to enhance quality of life through the products and services.
*Website content Japanese language only
The KOKUYO Workstyle Shop
*Website content Japanese language only
The THINK OF THINGS online shop
*Website content Japanese language only
