This month hails the return of AlumiNEWS, the source for all things alu. Our new Editor-in-chief is Mme. Eirual Nosdam, the famous (and faded) Slovakian essayist. Mme. Nosdam’s checkered past makes her particularly suited to comment on Emeco’s business and culture.

Shortly after a chance meeting between Mme. Nosdam and Gregg Buchbinder at the Milan Fair last year, we noted a new line item on our budget: Editorial/ AlumiNEWS. We don’t want to talk out of school, but while we agree that an award winning Slovakian writer is a wonderful addition to the Emeco team, the private car and driver seem a bit overkill.

In any case, AlumiNEWS has risen like a phoenix from the ashes, and we are happy to offer you this issue. Please address comments and ideas to Dan@emeco.net, Publisher.



Emeco Goes Global – meet Alev Larsson.

In Slovakia, we have a saying, “bezohledne devce tak bezohledne” or fast girls talk fast. I have always told the Count that one characteristic of intellectual acuity is rapid-fire speech and a great world view. Alev (pronounced “AhLEV”) Larsson - Emeco’s new Director of International Sales and Marketing fits the bill! I recently had a chance to meet her for drinks at Reina – a chic nightclub on the Bosporus.

After several odd Turkish cocktails, I wanted to know how Alev “found” Emeco, and how Emeco was lucky enough to discover her. She told me that she worked previously with Volvo and Lammhults – the Swedish furniture company – in Scandinavia, developing a fascination with aluminum (go figure). Alev has always been passionate about Emeco chairs and when she learned that Emeco was looking to expand European markets and set up a European stocking and distribution point, she called Gregg, and said, “I must work for you”. Perfect timing!

Alev, who lives and works in Copenhagen, has already set up a relationship with a representative in Turkey, Diyalog Ofis, and is busy using her 5 languages, to set up Emeco sales relationships.

Neustále mluvit Alev!



ISTIOPLOIKOS Restaurant, Piraeus

As a Slovakian, I, of course appreciate good food. But more essential to me is the ambience of a restaurant. The Count and I have many times walked out of a fine restaurant when we have detected a strange sardine odour, harsh lighting, grating gypsy music, or (especially egregious!) soft, warm seats!

Miraculously, we recently discovered a treasure of a restaurant in Piraeus, Greece called Istioploikos (translated – “Sailing Club”). The owner was intuitive enough to install Emeco 1006 chairs throughout and both the seating and the mood are perfect! This is a famous café-bar in the harbour of Mikrolimano, where you can look out at yachts, fishing boats and the sea.

If you are lucky enough to go to Istioploikos, order their Taramosalata, which is fish roe and breadcrumbs, sprinkled with a little of the fabulous olive oil, and fresh lemon juice. I like it with Mantinia, a Peloponnese white wine that is dry, light and fresh.

Dole clen urcitý hrdlo.




The Mouse that Roared: Emeco Brands Porsche

Emeco Chairman, and the Jeff Gordon of Aluminum, Gregg Buchbinder has always loved well-designed fast cars so it comes as no surprise that Emeco has sponsored a race car and driver! Mr. Philip Ma, Director of Dentro, our Hong Kong partner, drove his Porsche Carrera in the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia.

On July 18, 19, and 20 I was lucky enough to fly to Sentul International Race Track in Bogor (West Java) Indonesia to watch Mr. Ma race. When we set down on the heli-pad, I was stunned by the oppressive heat. The temperature and humidity at Sentul is very distressing to the drivers, and just completing the race under these conditions is very difficult – but not for Mr. Ma. With “emeco” blazing in big letters on the side of his car, Philip won the 7th round! Mr. Ma races again in Singapore in September and I hope to be there, trackside!

Oh and as you know, Emeco aluminum chairs are great outdoors too – they don’t rust, and since aluminum dissipates heat, our chairs never get warmer than the air – unlike steel chairs that continue to heat up to burning temperatures. And the new Nine-0 collection has a 5-year light fast warranty for outdoor use (7 year indoor).

Cesta bezohledne , cesta nepokažený, Philip!

Spanning the Globe for AlumiNEWS, Eirual Nosdam