100 Years of invention, innovation and design

The Laminex Group celebrates 100 Years of invention, innovation and design leadership with the Formica® brand

Year-long celebration includes, new Formica® Laminate Anniversary Collection, limited edition Formica brand memorabilia and ‘Formica Forever’ book

The Laminex Group marks 100 years of invention, innovation and design leadership in 2013 and enters a year-long global celebration of the Formica® brand and its past, present and future impact on residential and commercial design. The iconic Formica® brand is held close to the hearts of many New Zealanders – it was manufactured here for nearly half a century (1960 – 2008) and many of us have Formica® brand family heirlooms that have been passed down from generation to generation. And Formica® laminate has withstood the test of time – constantly evolving through cultural shifts, economic uncertainties, trend exploration and growing globally. “For 100 years, Formica® brand products have touched every aspect of our lives, each and every day, by surfacing millions of spaces in which we gather, work, learn, heal, shop, eat and play,” said Mark Adamson, CEO of Fletcher Building, which includes The Laminex Group (custodians of the Formica® brand in New Zealand) in its Laminates & Panels Division. “The world has grown up with Formica® brand laminate. We look forward to covering millions more surfaces for generations to come.” The Laminex Group kicked off the year-long celebrations with a birthday party at the Auckland Museum on Thursday 28 February where more than 250 guests were treated to highlights from Formica® laminate’s evolution through the decades (photography to follow). Exhibits included kitchen sets from the 50s and 70s as well as modern-day designs with canapés from each era to evoke the theme. The brand’s stunning Anniversary Collection designed by Abbott Miller of Pentagram was also unveiled at the event (see separate release and brochure). And The Laminex Group also announced details of Formica Formations™ 2013, a highly innovative design competition that celebrates and showcases the creativity of architects and designers throughout New Zealand.

Speakers on the night included: Melle de Pater, GM of The Laminex Group NZ, who gave a summary of the Formica® brand’s extraordinary business journey, an overview of the design history of the brand from Renee Hytry Derrington, Group VP of Design for Fletcher Building’s Laminates and Panels Division, and a fascinating talk from David Trubridge, a renowned New Zealand designer of world-wide repute. In addition to the birthday party there will be a raft of activities in New Zealand to mark the 100th year of the Formica® brand including: • A Formica® Laminate Anniversary Collection, featuring 12 new graphic patterns based on the brand and its history; unveiled around the world in 2013 • An expanded Formica® Laminate range of 23 new colours specifically selected for the New Zealand market • A celebratory book, Formica Forever, that chronicles 100 years of history, design, cultural impact and business expansion; to be launched later this year

• A series of short films including an Anniversary Collection video and a selection of clips of customers from around the globe (including three from Auckland) reflecting on the success of Formica® laminate over the decades and its influence on design • Commemorative limited edition design pieces including:

o Formica Group globally has worked with influential modernist furniture manufacturer Herman Miller to integrate the Anniversary Collection Laminates into beautiful, special edition, iconic Eames tea tables

o 100-Year Anniversary Clocks – cleverly fabricated with Formica® Compact laminate, this specially designed statement piece marks the 100-year anniversary and will be another iconic item that commemorates this important occasion for the Formica® brand

o A limited edition decorative kitchen design set (three flying swallows, miniature clock and “kitchen” wall sign cut from Formica® laminate from the 70s) paying homage to the brand’s much-loved retro style – exclusive to New Zealand

o Retro kitchen wall posters to celebrate Formica brand’s 100th year – exclusive to New Zealand

• Consumer competitions and promotions run via The Laminex Group’s consumer website mydreamkitchen.co.nz “All elements of our anniversary celebration pay homage to the making of an iconic brand,” shared Melle de Pater, GM of The Laminex Group NZ. “As the Formica® brand turns 100, we’re looking back on a century of invention, business endurance and achievement. It’s quite a story in which New Zealand has played a major role.”

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