To the last detail.
We believe quality is found in the accumulation of countless acts of thoughtfulness. Okamura office furniture
radiates a sense of comfort and beauty because it is made with a devotion to the nuances of customer
needs.
Observing customers as they work, choosing the optimal materials, ensuring the exactness of
small parts, carrying out thousands of hours’ worth of tests, enthusiastically interacting with customers at
showrooms and supporting them in the after-sales stage…
To some, these are just trivial concerns. But
we know
better. Our appreciation for the little things is what enables us to please our customers with superior
quality.
We are moved by distinctly Japanese values that tell us to prioritize the needs of others
while paying
respect to the environment. Originally makers of ultra-precision aircraft and automobile parts, we have
inherited the meticulous Okamura eye for craftsmanship. This long history of culture and provenance stretches
behind us, informing our present and our future.
Our products and experiences are created with an
extraordinary
level of sensitivity and precision. We go to the last detail to ensure our customers experience the quiet
amazement of Okamura quality.
From Okamura to the world.
Japanese Aesthetics
Finding refinement at every angle
Okamura is steeped in a long history of Japanese aesthetics that lives
on today not only in traditional architecture and crafts but also in contemporary products. Ancient Buddhist
temples, Shinto shrines, and Japanese gardens were consciously designed to blend seamlessly with nature.
Perhaps they are the latent source of our dedication to crafting furniture that harmonizes with its
surroundings rather than asserting itself as a standalone object? Tradition also feeds innovation. This can be
seen in the mesh we first adopted when launching Contessa in 2002, using material with conceptual roots that
stretch back centuries to the traditional crafts of Nishijin, Kyoto. We drew upon Nishijin textile techniques
of weaving and thread dyeing to create durable mesh that supports the body without sagging, remains pliable
enough to provide maximum comfort, and delivers a distinctive sheer style for the chair’s contemporary form,
harmonizing seemingly contradictory qualities. The delicate balance is achieved by the way the mesh is
stretched, a manual process performed by Okumura’s own artisans. Lasting tradition and evolving techniques
coexist in the high level of precision embodied by Contessa.
Visual appeal, ease of use, durability, and an eye for the future—Japanese aesthetics underlie Okamura’s
ability to craft products that are refined from any angle.
Heritage
More precise, more meticulous
Okamura was established in 1945 when former aircraft manufacturing
technicians came together to form a cooperative industry association under the name Okamura Corporation.
While initially producing pots and pans, they decided to leverage the technical finesse honed during their
aircraft engineering days to manufacture steel furniture, which was rarely produced in Japan at the time. At
the same time, the company hadn’t given up its dream of taking to the skies. In 1953, we completed the N-52,
achieving the first successful flight of a domestically manufactured private aircraft in post-war
Japan.
Harnessing expertise in developing precision parts alongside new research into ergonomics
and workstyles, Okamura poured its energy into office furniture as a contribution to Japan’s economic
growth. In 1961, we released our Model 22—Japan’s original office chair. Designed with thoughtful
consideration for Japanese physiques, it remains in use at public facilities through-out Japan to this day.
In 2002, we released Contessa, a flagship chair that showcases our knowledge and technique. It received high
praise from customers worldwide, who appreciated its empathetic engineering revealed in subtle design
elements and functionality.
Sitting on tatami or wood flooring was the historical norm in Japan,
while chairs, when used at all, were almost all made of wood. Our earnest approach at Okamura to questioning
assumptions, combined with a flexible approach to adopting the latest global technology, enabled us to
rapidly transition Japan to progressive, precisioncrafted steel chairs. We know that evolution is an
unending process. We will strive to be furniture first movers by broadening our perspectives and staying
ahead of societal and environmental changes. Enthusiastically engaging with a diverse range of people,
opinions, and technologies, we will continue to embrace the open spirit of cooperation that defined our
founding, delivering quality and new value for generations to come.
Thoughtfulness
Thoughtfulness
Observing
In this rapidly shifting world
of work, what
defines truly
great
office furniture?
Conventional thinking doesn’t necessarily offer a convincing answer here,
so
we
start our investigations with a careful observation of how people and their environments relate. We pose
questions such as, how does the alignment of a spine or the angle of a lower back affect a person’s
ability
to concentrate? What is the optimal spacing between workers in an office relaxation area? These are
crucial
points to consider, but we don’t limit our analysis to ergonomics alone.
Our uniquely
Japanese
sensitivity to the needs of others is the wellspring of our creativity. It shows us the power of
observation. Tuning ourselves to the user’s frequency, we watch with a keen eye to discover what’s
really
in
their mind. By gleaning little clues, we can identify the forms and functions that will meet the
requirements of future workplaces.
Listening
We don’t talk, we listen.
Within
every customer,
there is a loud voice and a quiet voice. Their loud voice speaks up and states opinions, while their
quiet
voice can sometimes go unheard. At Okamura, we always strain ourselves to connect with that quiet voice
too.
From casual showroom conversations to quick back-and-forth emails, our ears are
constantly
listening out for a customer’s quiet voice even if it is inaudible to the customer themselves. By doing
so, we uncover pain-points and preferences, sharpen our ideas, and ultimately design furniture that
delights workers.
Discussing
New discoveries are made when distinct
approaches and values
interact. Historically, Japan was a country that studied the customs and values of other countries,
borrowing here and there as it developed the unique concepts and techniques that define its culture. We
at
Okamura have inherited this Japanese mindset, often adjusting ourselves as we engage with
others.
We see dialogue across diverse domains as a vital part of our job. By consulting with
our in-house designers, marketers and salespeople, collaborating with vibrant independent creators, and
working closely with all our customers, we gain a wide variety of fresh perspectives that provide the
seeds for new ideas.
Visualizing
There’s something we value more than
eye-catching
originality.
For us, office furniture must be made to exist in harmony with people, society and the planet. By
simultaneously discerning details on a micro level while seeing the bigger picture on a macro level, we
enrich our capacity for imagination.
What makes a piece of furniture simultaneously striking
yet perfectly integrated with its surroundings? What materials offer both excellent performance and
sustainability credentials? We must think in twos: Humans and planet. Objects and spaces. Past and
future.
We will continue to fuse such double perspectives in our furniture design.
Craftsmanship
Craftsmanship
Exploring
There’s no fixed way to create. By constantly
keeping our
eyes
open, thinking deeply, and experimenting freely, we have been able to evolve in a manner that other
brands
have not. In a world where future predictions are often unreliable, our Okamura approach to creation has
clear advantages.
In the long history of our world, all living things have only survived when
they evolved and adapted to their environments. To flourish and find new knowledge, we must take on
daring
challenges and walk unfamiliar terrain. We will face the future by continuously questioning our own
assumptions and tweaking our approaches.
Crafting
Our meticulous craftsmen work alongside precision
machines
and
every product we create is a manifestation of our devotion to details. From the smoothness of the seam
joints to the durability of the internal components, the superior quality of our work reveals itself in
places often ignored by other brands.
Our Okamura Industrial Standards, which are based on
Japanese and international requirements, are testament to our dedication as makers. From the prototyping
stage onwards, we put our items through rigorous safety testing and subject even the smallest components
to durability analyses.
The spirit of traditional Japanese craftsmanship animates our
present-day production team. In establishing our unique Okamura Industrial Standards, we affirm a
commitment to holding ourselves accountable.
Polishing
Our pursuit of quality knows no bounds.
Naturally, we
utilize
the latest technology as part of our quality control processes, but it is the human element that sets us
apart.
We ensure to carry out painstaking quality checks with our hands and our eyes. Think
of
a pipe bent by an equipment malfunction being inspected with manual tools, or chair components being
examined by wise hands during assembly.
An obsession with absolute accuracy is encoded in
Okamura DNA. Our provenance is in the manufacturing of ultra-precision aircraft and automobile parts
where
even the tiniest measurement error could have disastrous results for a human life. Driven by this same
uncompromising approach, we continue to impress customers with our Okamura production quality.
Experience
Experience
Caring
Our unwavering commitment to
quality-in-the-details applies
not just to our products but also to the people we deal with.
Excellent communication
with
all
our stakeholders is paramount. We show that we care by identifying our customers’ subconscious workspace
frustrations, offering an attentive service at our showrooms, and packaging/transporting our products
with
caution.
Time-honored Japanese business culture shows us that we must have a capacity
to
“understand before words”. We believe that great customer service is found in the accumulation of
seemingly small acts of thoughtfulness.
Supporting
Our job does not end when a product arrives at
its
destination.
Is it easy to use? Are there any defects? Do you have any additional
requirements?
Our after-sales service is not an afterthought; it is an extension of our craftsmanship. We listen
carefully to every piece of feedback and offer our precision maintenance as needed.
From our
designers and engineers to our pre- and post-sales staff, everyone at Okamura is committed to you the
customer. We will accompany you and your company on its journey.
Pleasing
Observing, Listening, Discussing, Visualizing,
Exploring,
Crafting, Polishing, Caring, Supporting.
Since 1945, we have worked with these clear values
in
mind and our ultimate mission has always been to please each of our global customers. When everything
clicks into place, you will feel quiet amazement. Rather than a single-use emotion, it is a sense of
gratitude that deepens with all you experience and all you learn.
You will see the modest
magnificence of Okamura when you realize just how much thought lies behind every single detail.
