I noticed this link over on koiphen:
http://www.ippca.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=949
Seems these two are pairing up in an attempt to dominate the industry. The chain store mentality strikes another industry.
Mitch
"Greetings all,
Sorry I missed InfoTanza this year. I, along with members of my staff and team members were in Hawaii attending the Grand Opening of the Kodama Koi Farm and the Japan Nishikigoi Expo. (No beach or golfing time.....we worked the entire time!)
Writers for several industry magazines were there covering the event - and you'll be able to read about it in up coming issues.......but I'll "let the cat out of the bag" as to what really big news happened.
At the Expo it was publicly, and formally announced that Kodama Koi Farm and Russell Watergardens are entering a joint-venture partnership in the Russell Watergardens Franchise Corporation that is being funded in part by Tsunami Partners - a Tokyo based venture capital firm.
The owner of Kodama Koi Farm is Mr. Mamoru Kodama - a world renowned Nishikigoi expert, highly respected author, Associate Editor of Koi USA Magazine, koi judge, and Director of the International Nishikigoi Promotion Center. (INPC). The Kodama Koi Farm is run by Mr. Mamoru's son Taro Kodama - who created Japan Koi Online.
The partnership of Russell Watergardens and Kodama Koi Farm into the Russell Watergardens Franchise Corporation will expand to all 50 states starting in early 2007.
The Russell Watergardens / Kodama Koi Farm partnership is the world's first and only partnership of its kind - the joining of the water gardening and koi industries under one umbrella.
Mr. Mamoru Kodama personally approves and endorses each and every component manufactured by, and for, Russell Watergardens for the utmost in quality, workmanship, function, ease of maintenance, water quality, and Nishikigoi health and well being.
The Russell Watergardens / Kodama Koi Farm partnership is being referred as the industry's first "Hardware & Software" partnership - combining Russell Watergardens' filtration systems with Kodama Koi Farm's Nishikigoi.
The Russell Watergardens expansion program is scheduled for early 2007.
Stay tuned to this channel for further information, and click on these links:
www.russellwatergardens.com www.kodamakoifarm.com www.japan-nishikigoi.org"
Sincerely,
John Russell
Russell Watergardens
_________________
Changing the way manufacturers advertise their products.