How Kokuyo Is Driving Workplace Innovation in India Through Japan–India Collaboration

At a time when India–Japan economic cooperation is expanding beyond traditional sectors, Kokuyo’s India strategy offers valuable insight into cross-border industrial collaboration. Featuring perspectives from Karan Sachdev, Managing Director, Kokuyo Workplace India Limited, this article looks at how Japanese process discipline and Indian entrepreneurial energy are converging to create future-ready workplaces.

New Delhi, December 19 2025

Japanese office furniture and stationery major Kokuyo Co., Ltd. is steadily redefining India’s workplace landscape, following the successful acquisition and rebranding of HNI India as Kokuyo Workplace India Limited earlier this year. With this move, Kokuyo became the first Japanese company to enter India’s organised office furniture segment, marking a significant milestone in India–Japan industrial collaboration.

The rebranding represents more than a change of name. It signals Kokuyo’s strategic intent to position India as a central growth hub within its Asia-Pacific operations, aligning with the company’s long-term global vision CCC 2030 — Change, Challenge, Create. The strategy underscores Kokuyo’s commitment to design-led growth, innovation, and customer-centric transformation, tailored to the evolving needs of modern workplaces.

A Meticulous Entry Rooted in Japanese Process Rigor

Kokuyo’s entry into India was shaped by a characteristically rigorous Japanese approach to evaluation and governance. Karan Sachdev, Managing Director, Kokuyo India, reflected on the acquisition journey, noting how extensive due diligence played a defining role. “When the Japanese team began their evaluation, they examined every detail with great care. What was initially expected to take two months extended to six, and then to nine months. But that depth of scrutiny worked in our favor,” Sachdev said.

The process ultimately validated the strength of the Indian operations — from robust financials and strong governance to capable teams, high-quality products, and well-established showrooms. According to Sachdev, the Japanese leadership was “pleasantly surprised” by the business fundamentals and operational maturity they encountered. This period of scrutiny, he added, became a catalyst for internal transformation. “The processes, culture, and teams we built during that period were a conscious transformation. Once everything was in place, the company gained momentum and truly took off.”

Manufacturing at Scale, Innovation at Core

At the heart of Kokuyo Workplace India’s innovation push is its 350,000 sq. ft. integrated manufacturing facility in Nagpur, one of the largest of its kind in the country. The facility brings together metal, wood, seating, and collaborative furniture production under one roof and is equipped with advanced nanotechnology-based powder coating systems, reinforcing Kokuyo’s emphasis on quality, durability, and sustainability.

Innovation is not limited to infrastructure. Nearly 50% of the company’s current sales come from products launched in the last three to four years, reflecting a strong, future-ready product pipeline. “We understand the direction in which the market is headed and are aligning our launches accordingly. The market really appreciates what we bring to the table,” Sachdev noted.

This focus aligns closely with broader shifts in India’s office ecosystem, driven by hybrid work models, ergonomic awareness, sustainability priorities, and collaborative workspace design.

Growth Ambitions and Market Expansion

With the rebranding now complete, Kokuyo Workplace India is targeting 15–20% growth over FY24, with an accelerated trajectory expected as integration deepens. By 2030, the company plans to expand aggressively across top metros and emerging business hubs, reinforcing its presence in a fast-growing market.

India’s importance is underscored by global trends. The global office furniture market is projected to grow at 6–8% CAGR through 2030, with the Asia-Pacific region accounting for over a quarter of global revenues. India, in particular, stands out as one of the fastest-growing markets, supported by corporate expansion, infrastructure development, and increasing focus on employee well-being.

Showcasing Japanese Design in India

As part of its market repositioning, Kokuyo India debuted its renewed brand identity at Orgatec India 2025 in Mumbai, the country’s largest trade fair for workplace innovation. Notably, the company introduced its Japanese product range in India, offering Indian customers direct exposure to Kokuyo’s global design philosophy, craftsmanship, and minimalistic aesthetics.

“This rebranding is not just about a new identity, but a renewed purpose,” Sachdev said. “By combining the precision of Japanese design with India’s market dynamism, we’re building workplaces that are more adaptive, sustainable, and human-centric. Our goal is to achieve threefold growth in India by 2030.”

Blending Global Heritage with Local Adaptability

Founded over 120 years ago, Kokuyo brings deep-rooted values of kaizen (continuous improvement), creativity, and functionality to its Indian operations. With brands such as Camlin, Lamex, ACTUS, ESTIC, and Formax in its portfolio, Kokuyo India is uniquely positioned to blend Japanese minimalism with Indian adaptability.

Backed by manufacturing and design facilities across Japan, Malaysia, China, and India, Kokuyo Workplace India operates on a “Make in India, for the World” philosophy. Its extensive local manufacturing footprint allows it to serve both domestic and global clients at scale, while remaining agile and responsive to market needs.

Redefining Workspaces for the Future

As Indian workplaces evolve beyond traditional layouts, Kokuyo Workplace India is positioning itself at the intersection of design, technology, and human-centric thinking. Its emphasis on collaboration, agility, and well-being reflects a broader reimagining of what workspaces can and should be.

By embedding Japanese process excellence into India’s fast-moving business environment, Kokuyo is not merely expanding its footprint — it is actively shaping the future of work in India.