Material ConneXion Expands into China
Global Materials Consultancy to open 10 Material Libraries throughout China
together with Eegoo Cultural Industry Investment Co., Ltd. by 2017
Material ConneXion to open in Beijing in October 2011, followed by Shanghai and Guangzhou in 2012
New York, NY, May 25, 2011—New York-based global materials consultancy Material ConneXion announced today plans to expand its international operations with the launch of 10 locations throughout China by 2017. Material ConneXion’s first office in China is scheduled to open in Beijing in October 2011, followed by locations in Shanghai in March 2012 and Guangzhou in the 3rd quarter of 2012.
Material ConneXion’s move into China is made possible by a strategic partnership with Eegoo Cultural Industry Investment Co., Ltd., China’s leading cultural and innovative products operator, positioned at the forefront of China’s booming cultural creative sector.
“China is a vital and obvious next step for us,” said George M. Beylerian, Founder & CEO, Material ConneXion. “We are excited to gain a foothold in this rapidly evolving market and believe that together with our new partner Eegoo, there is tremendous potential for Material ConneXion to help drive innovation in China.”
The world’s fastest growing economy, China announced in its most recent five-year plan a desire to shift towards designing, developing and manufacturing goods for domestic consumption, rather than just manufacturing foreign-designed products for export. With this in mind, Material ConneXion is positioned to become an engine for modernization among Chinese companies and product developers. Material ConneXion will help spur this development by working with local designers and manufacturers to increase the level of innovation and creativity in Chinese products and services.
“China’s cultural and creative industries are at a very exciting turning point right now,” said Zhong Cong, CEO of Egoo. “We believe strongly that Material ConneXion’s unparalleled materials expertise and global insight will be crucial to helping Chinese creative culture become more competitive and influential in the international market.”
In addition to facilitating innovation domestically, Material ConneXion’s move into China responds directly to its international clients’ ever-growing need for insight into Chinese materials and sourcing.
“Our extensive presence throughout China will dramatically increase our ability to help clients around the world source Chinese materials close to their manufacturing,” said Michele Caniato, President. “In such a large and complex market, on the ground insight is essential. We’ll be able to provide our clients with the intelligence and support they need to manufacture in the most efficient ways possible.”
Material ConneXion’s offices in China will offer the same services as its six other global locations: An innovative materials library, consulting services—customized materials research and product development support—and a wide range of public programing, including exhibitions and conferences focused on materials innovation. Material ConneXion’s expansion into China comes on the heels of opening its latest global office in Istanbul, Turkey. Headquartered in New York City, the company has additional locations in Milan, Cologne, Bangkok and Daegu, Korea.
The partnership between Eegoo Cultural Industry and Material ConneXion was brokered by China Center New York, the leading platform for China-US business and culture exchange. “Bridging Chinese and American partners through good deals is at the core of China Center’s mission,” said Xue Ya, President of China Center New York. “We are thrilled to witness the positive outcome of this partnership.”
For more information please contact:
Sarah Natkins, Director of Marketing & Communications
212-842-1509 / snatkins@materialconnexion.com
About Material ConneXion®:
Material ConneXion is a global materials consultancy that helps companies innovate through smart materials thinking. Built on the belief that Every Idea Has A Material Solution™, Material ConneXion is the trusted advisor to Fortune 500s, smaller forward-thinking companies, and government agencies seeking a creative, competitive, or sustainable edge through strategic material selections. With offices in New York, Bangkok, Cologne, Istanbul (Opening June 2011), Milan and Daegu, Korea, Material ConneXion's international network of specialists provide a global, cross-industry perspective on materials and their potential uses. Material ConneXion maintains the largest subscription-based Materials Library of innovative materials and processes in the world and a comprehensive online database – an indispensable asset to a wide audience of designers and architects and a vital tool for the development of design, industry and economy.
www.MaterialConneXion.com
About Eegoo Cultural Industry Investment Co., Ltd.
Eegoo Cultural Industry Investment Co., Ltd is an innovative industrial giant specializing in the design, production, and operation of cultural products. The company has over 1,000 employees in New York, London, Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, and Nanchang as well as a marketing network with billions of sales annually. Eegoo was built upon an artistic vision and long tradition of integrating cultural heritage and beauty into design. The company is dedicated to helping Chinese culture and fine arts enter the global market by making Chinese art, design and products accessible on the world stage. It does this through an innovation platform comprising of thousands of artists, designers and associated organizations, as well as a cultural platform that consists of over a thousand museums throughout China.
China Zeegoo Fine Arts Corporation is the New York Division of Eegoo.
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