Ideas That Inspire Hitachi Power Tools

Client: Hitachi Power Tools

A/E: Patty Williams/Laarhoven Design/Atlanta

Size: 10'x40', 20'x40', 25'x40'

Product: Delta Matrix

 Budget: $250,000 (including graphics and custom elements)

 Hitachi Power Tools, with North American headquarters in Norcross, GA, had been on Patty Williams' radar screen for several years.  In both the Springs of 2001 and 2002 Patty, a senior exhibit consultant with Laarhoven Design/Atlanta, was asked to submit a design proposal for Hitachi's new exhibit.  In both of those years, during the final stages of the proposal process, the project was halted due to budget cutbacks.  In 2003, Patty was given a third chance and this one was the charm.

After an intensive interview process, Laarhoven/Atlanta’s designers were prepared to design a dramatic new exhibit for Hitachi.  The criteria included: 40' of linear wall for tools, table-height work surfaces for tool demonstrations, demonstration area for concrete drills, storage and back-office space, highest allowable exhibit structure, reconfigurability and less weight than previous custom built exhibit.

Initially Hitachi asked five exhibit companies to submit a capabilities presentation along with a concept design.  After review, the list was pared to two companies.  Laarhoven's Matrix solution was chosen over the other traditionally built exhibit due to weight and reconfiguration issues with Matrix weighing half of the competitor's design and fitting into one full truck.

The exhibit debuted in October 2003 at the Remodeler's Expo in Baltimore in it's 20'x40' version.  One week later it was in Atlanta in it's 10'x40' version.  And in January 2004 it will be used in its 25'x40' version at Home Builders.  On a side note...Hitachi's exhibit was the highest at the Remodeler's Show so they reached that objective!