Zennovation: An East-West Approach to Business Success

More than two and a half centuries ago, Tomio Taki’s family formed Takihyo Co., Ltd. in Nagoya, Japan to manufacture textiles.  Seven generations later, the company is publicly traded and continues to manufacture textiles as well as several ready-to-wear apparel lines.  Takihyo Co., Ltd. also owns 24 subsidiary companies in a variety of industries including food processing, real estate and chemical products.  Mr. Taki serves as an advisor to Takihyo Co., Ltd.  Today Mr. Taki is a Managing Member of Takihyo LLC, an independent U.S. entity. 

In 1974, he formed Takihyo Inc., which became a partner in Anne Klein & Company.  When founder and designer Anne Klein passed away, Taki immediately appointed Donna Karan as Chief Designer of the company.  In 1984, Mr. Taki convinced Donna Karan to start her own company and Takihyo formed a partnership with her in The Donna Karan Company. 

Mr. Taki’s business interests also go beyond the textile and apparel manufacturing industry.  As a partner in REBO Production Associates, the documentary television production company, he encouraged REBO to purchase the technology for producing High-Definition television programming.  This enabled REBO to pioneer High Definition television programming in the U.S. 

In 1995, Mr. Taki was named Special Advisor to the Chairman of Samsung and its group of companies. 

He has also served as Vice Chairman of Wacoal U.S.A., a member of the Advisory Council for the International Wool Secretariat and Special Advisor to Koor Industries in Israel.  A founder of the nationally and internationally acclaimed Concordia Orchestra, he was formerly Chairman of its Board of Directors. 

Mr. Taki is also a member of the Board of Directors of Issey Miyake USA Corp., the Board of Trustees of The New School and the Advisory Council and a member of the Board of Directors of Parsons School of Design.  A founder of the Japanese Chapter of the Young Presidents Organization, Mr. Taki is now a  member of YPO’s World Presidents Organization and Chief Executives Organization.  A member of the Board of Mikimoto (America) Inc., he serves as Chairman of the Board of The Taki School, Naori Health Insurance and Naori Pension Plan.  As well, Mr. Taki is a Director of the Hotel Okura Restaurant in Nagoya.

On April 29, 2011 Mr. Taki received an honorary degree Doctor of Humane Letters from Philadelphia University for his outstanding contribution to the Fashion industry and beyond.

Images and additional biographical information on Tomio Taki, Dr. Mortimer Feinberg and Adam Taki are available upon request.