Find out why and how presidents of MOBIO exhibitors have started "INNOVATION and CHALLENGE" through the special interview.
No.50 is Mr. Murakami of *** SHARP CHEMICAL IND. CO., LTD. (Read on to find out details) ***
- Sealants and Adhesives for construction and industrial market
● Sustainable production as long as customers need the products
▲Most of developed products are still used.
▲Continuous product release results in marketing leading product mix.
As a general manufacturer of adhesives and sealing products, SHARP Chemical Industry develops new products to meet the needs of industry and the home. It provides wider range of products from major application to niche application.
Murakami proudly said, "As long as demand is there, SHARP is capable to manufacture any requested products regardless volume according to our engineering skills and expertise. Some of those products might be delisted from competitor's product line due to low profitability. Therefore we are now known 'Ask SHARP, they will meet any request'." Its advantage to respond to market needs fully assisted SHARP to build a relationship with customers. And it worked well to survive even at depression days, keeping it away from price market.
●Key to progress was inimitable production system and convenient IT system
▲On-line sales system for commercial and personal usage
▲Multi-product, low-volume manufacturing
Murakami has made several changes in company operation when he was working as an engineering manager. One of them is to have installed IT system as one of the leading corporation in the industry.
"When I jointed the company, SHARP managed clerical works by the small business computer or by manual operation. It was requested to SHARP to develop new products more rapidly by the use of corporate wide IT system effectively from order taking to manufacturing, out of accumulated product data.," Murakami reviewed company history.
At the same time he has developed online system for product promotion and B to C marketing as one of SME pioneers. Through its networking SHARP has received new inquiry from railway companies and toy manufacturers on top of construction market and industrial market.
Murakami said, "Surprisingly we have received a call from a railway company who had noticed our sealant developed for concrete repairing. Through joint work with them we have finally succeeded in delivering sealant for repairing wood sleepers. This case suggested us to proceed the new way to cultivate business by idea game adding to management by product application and demand base development." Information through online system and WEB site assisted SHARP to develop exclusive products.
At its factory engineers have rationalized production line and established flexible manufacturing system that products are manufactured in necessary amount when they become necessary, Just-in-Time operation.
●A Greener Container developed to solve construction problem and overseas marketing
SHARP is planning to expand business market in Asia, Europe and US. The strategy product at SHARP's global marketing is the sealant container with exclusive function, SK Pouch.
▲SK pouch, Japan's Good Design Award in 2013
Murakami said, "Conventional containers for sealants and adhesives must be thrown away after use, and so they occupy a great deal of space after disposal, are a major environmental problem. Instead, our SK Pouch decreases the volume of waste by 90 percent and the material usage by 80 percent. By overseas corporations this SK Pouch is considered to be widely used in food and medical market." Sharp is actively promoting 'container marketing' to materialize new business with interesting offshore companies.
It is rushing to cultivate human resources with global view. Based on his business experience in Europe, Murakami continuously says to his staff, "I will not blame of your failure. Keep on playing business by your personal preference." He firmly believes that a typical Japanese business manner, 'Think together, Act together", takes too long and cannot catch up speedy business negotiation and decision with Non-Japanese companies. Business success outside Japan requires quick decision on the negotiation spot to each staff of SHARP behaving as the CEO and will open the door to the next operational stage.
Its two manufacturing operation, responding to customer's demand and developing new market, and possible future changes draw a sealant industry and business attention in Japan and from outside Japan.
--
Interviewed on July 22, 2015
To communicate directly with SHARP CHEMICAL IND. CO., LTD. , please send your message from HERE!