Australasian Leisure Management
Oct 28, 2024

Maxwood Technology hosts venue study tour for partners Audience Systems and Kotobuki

Leading venue seating and sports flooring supplier Maxwood Technology has shared information on its recent hosting of senior executives from The Kotobuki Group companies.

With Maxwood having experienced significant growth in the Australian and New Zealand markets over the past five to 10 years, delivering new products and a strong pipeline of projects in the sport, performing arts and education markets, the visit from its major client showed the level of interest Kotobuki has in the region.

Kotobuki representatives, including executives from its UK-based subsidiary Audience Systems, met with 35 clients and venues - including architects, government agencies, universities, consultants, schools and venue operators - over the five-day visit.

Their interactions included discussions of upcoming projects both in Australasia and globally, presenting new innovative products to the Australian market and consideration of international trends in fixed and retractable seating in sports venues, arenas, performing arts and education spaces.

Maxwood Technology General Manager, Michael Donnelly advised “the Kotobuki Group is one of the largest and most innovative seating companies in the world.

“As Maxwood Technology, we are proud to have represented their products in Australia and New Zealand for over 20 years.

“Leveraging off their experience means we have insights into global seating trends and can look to forecast what that might mean for our local markets.

“This recent visit enabled us to connect our global supplier directly with our local clients which facilitated high level information sharing which from all reports was hugely valuable to all parties.

“Multi use, flexible venues really are the future as events and venues get more creative with how they present content. Couple that with patrons increased expectations around comfort and venue offerings, the quality and operation of seating systems really play a major part in the overall success of a venue.

“This is really exciting to us at Maxwood Technology, its what we are passionate about and why we are so enthusiastic about some of the new product offerings we are bringing to the Australian and New Zealand markets.”

Representatives of The Kotobuki Group who made the trip included: Yuji Machida Kotobuki SEA, President; Tomohiko Katayama Kotobuki SEA, Mobile Bleacher - Development; Tatsuro Furuya, Kotobuki Seating Director and Managing Executive Officer; Kenshi Tanaka, Kotobuki Seating, Director and Executive Officer; Too Ching keow, Kotobuki Seating APAC International Division - General Manager; Morimi Suzuki Kotobuki Seating; Gary Pillinger Audience Systems, Chief Executive; and Anthony Edgar Audience Systems, General Manager.

The delegation was hosted by Maxwood Technology Managing Director, Mark Slane; Michael Donnelly and Maxwood Technology Australia National Sales Manager, Declan Brennan.

Click here to contact Maxwood Technology Australia via their entry in the Australasian Leisure Management Supplier Directory.

Images: Maxwood Technology hosting senior executives from The Kotobuki Group companies at the Sydney Opera House (top). Geelong Arts Centre (middle) and the Robert Blackwood Hall at Monash Univerity (below).

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