Back in 2018, Epson America embarked on a plan to usher in a new California-based headquarters that would serve to unify the organization’s 650-odd team members and provide a technology briefing center that would properly showcase the full breadth of what the OEM has to offer—all the while doing so in an efficient and sustainable manner that walks hand-in-hand with the company’s technology value underpinnings.
Little did Keith Kratzberg, CEO of Epson America, realize at the time that there would be a revolution in how and where work is performed, with a pandemic hitting the reset button to spark the movement. But when the dust had settled, the rehabilitation of a former Yellow Pages complex spanning 165,000 square feet was completed, on time and on budget. It culminated with Tuesday’s ribbon-cutting ceremony in Los Alamitos, with guests—including Epson corporate and city government dignitaries and community support organizations.
“Throughout our journey, we wanted to stay true to Epson’s global promise and our reason for being, and our purpose is to enrich lives and help create a better world through our efficient, compact and precise innovation,” Kratzberg said in opening remarks prior to the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Securing the former Yellow Pages facility was fortuitous. Epson had been monitoring the local market for a facility that was not a high rise and could be refurbished to house many of the OEM’s primary operations, including the technology briefing center, but was unsuccessful in its quest. Kratzberg said that given the firm’s commitment to sustainability, it was loathe to break new ground on a new home. Before Epson resigned itself to building, the Yellow Pages building—which had been unoccupied for an extended period and was in need of a makeover—hit the market and was quickly secured.
“We wanted a modern, healthy environment, a place that had great integration of technology and supported our sustainability idea,” he added. “From an employee standpoint, we wanted to set it up for collaboration, as we’re a very team-oriented organization. As for the equipment, we were going to have two technology centers—one for the office, the other for industrial equipment.”
Changed Reality
When the pandemic took hold, it soon became obvious to Kratzberg that Epson wouldn’t be compelling its workforce to return on premise full-time. In fact, the company only mandates six in-office work days per month. Thus, the largely vacated workstations were switched to the second floor, allowing more room for Epson to include the technology center, the showroom and briefing center on the first floor. As a result, the briefing center is 400% larger than previously. Holistically, Kratzberg said the headquarters helps fulfill a 20-year vision that Epson intends to realize.
The new digs are already paying dividends. Last week, Epson welcomed 70 representatives from its Latin America subsidiaries, which previously would’ve required using hotel space for a meeting of that magnitude. Customers, end-users, dealers and partners alike have found the facility provides a wider perspective of what the organization has to offer. Dealers, especially, will find it easier to help large end-users in the buying journey see the value of making Epson their tech provider of choice.
“Most people only know Epson through the lens of their own vertical market,” Kratzberg noted. “Visitors can have a greater appreciation for all that we do, and see how the PrecisionCore technology is a common thread across a wide range of offerings. People understand the robustness of the technology and understand that Epson is a big company with a long-term strategy.
“Leaders want to align themselves with leaders. They want to be partners with Epson, and this building tells that story.”
