For more than 25 years, HOLMENKOL has been among Japan's leading ski wax brands and has established an excellent customer network. The inception of HOLMENKOL Japan Ltd., scheduled for April 1, 2008, is the first milestone of its newly launched international growth strategy. This is consolidated by its reorganisation as a public company.
HOLMENKOL will hold a majority interest of 85% in the Japanese sales subsidiary. The remaining 15% will be held by BLIZZARD Marketing Japan, whose MD and owner Yuichi Kusakari will be in charge of HOLMENKOL Japan Ltd.'s operations. Over the past five years, Yuichi Kusakari was HOLMENKOL's "top representative" in Japan.
In Japan, a reinforced sales team will not only focus on ski wax, but also promote the sales of HOLMENKOL's innovative sports coatings made for water sports, outdoor, golf, cycling, and mountain biking.
"In a high volume market like Japan, demonstrating continuity and endurance and securing the full potential using a strong sales team is of major importance", says Christian Römlein, MD of HOLMENKOL (worldwide). However HOLMENKOL will continue its business relationship with its existing distribution partners SWANS (snowboard market) and SKIKRAFT (Nordic market).
On the occasion of the Tokyo winter sports fair, HOLMENKOL specialists have introduced the new patented "nano-cfc" coating technology. This technology already attracted huge attention on the occasion of Munich's ISPO winter trade fair. "Through our clear focus on sports coatings, we are gaining an innovative lead over our competitors", adds Mr. Römlein on the Tokyo press conference.
As a technology leader, HOLMENKOL expects to win over major market shares. Yuichi Kusakari is positive that "we will be able to set the course for a sustainable growth in Japan".