This article is a tie-up with the Niigata Prefecture Federation of Small Business Associations and Manufacturing Support Centre.
Numerous attractive companies are active in Niigata Prefecture. This section picks up on 'ChangeLeaders' who create new value by 'changing themselves positively'.
The second issue features Nomoto Kiri Kan Seisakusho Ltd, which has handled made-to-order products, mainly paulownia chests, since its foundation. The company purchased a machine that is expected to improve the efficiency of the production line and produced its own product, the "Souhi Kan".
Passing on skills developed over many years with new products.
Photographer: Mika Nakanishi
Kamo City boasts a 70% share of the national production of paulownia chests. Paulownia wood has excellent anti-bacterial and mothproof properties and regulates humidity, and has been used by people as boxes for storing and preserving clothing, medicines, calligraphy, paintings and antiques.
Nomoto Kiri Kan Seisakusho was founded in 1947 as a paulownia box manufacturer, and in 1963 also started making tea sets and paulownia chests. Today, the company is a member of the Kamo Tansu Cooperative and is responsible for passing on Kamo's traditional craft of paulownia chests to future generations.
In recent years, however, the industry has been shrinking due to changing lifestyles. Nomoto Kiri Kan Seisakusho also suffered from a decline in orders. As a solution, the company started to produce Sendai tansu (chests of drawers), which had been requested for some time. To mass-produce them, the company purchased an NC multi-tasking machine, which automatically processes wood according to computer-designed data, using a Monozukuri (manufacturing) subsidy*. Compared with manual work, production efficiency has been greatly improved and it is now possible to produce a wide variety of products in small lots. As a result, the company is now able to increase production of fixtures for hotels and restaurants and the production of coffee mills and paulownia modern for Kalita, a comprehensive coffee equipment manufacturer.
Monozukuri subsidy: Common name for a project by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and the Small and Medium Enterprise Agency to support capital investment, etc. that contributes to improving productivity.
The company also took on the challenge of developing its own products, utilising the time created by increased efficiency. The first product, Souhikan, a decorative shelf made from paulownia wood boxes, was released. We have also set up a website and started sending information directly to consumers. While continuing to produce chests and boxes, we will continue to explore new ways of using paulownia wood and ways of passing on its charms.
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Change 1: From a process that relies on craftsmen, productivity is increased through the introduction of machines.
We have long been consulted by Sendai tansu dealers about the difficulty of securing suppliers and handling paulownia wood. However, there is a limit to the amount of Sendai tansu that can be produced by hand, as many of them require keyhole processing. So, using a manufacturing subsidy, the company purchased an NC multitasking machine. This has reduced working time by 16 hours and increased the quantity delivered by several times.
NC multitasking machines purchased with manufacturing subsidies.
The introduction of machinery has increased the range of products handled.
Change2: We want to appeal to a new audience with our own products for the first time.
Since the company was founded, it has mainly undertaken order-made products, but plans to move forward with the production of its own products in the future. While trying their hand at making various prototypes, advice from a specialist in the follow-up project led to the idea of "putting a box inside a paulownia box" together with a designer. The product won the Jury Prize in the 2018 NIIGATA IDS Design Competition.
The curves of the apertures are finished with craftsman's attention to detail.
Change3: Using crowdfunding to promote new products
The central association invited us to try 'crowdfunding' to raise funds on the internet. The project was set up in the form of pre-sales in an attempt to generate demand prior to the sale of Souhikan. Support came from all over the country, and the project achieved 102% of its target amount in about three months. Even before the product was launched, it was covered by the media and spread by word of mouth on social networking sites, resulting in effective PR.
Achieved crowdfunding page.
Suggested uses for various situations (photographer: Mika Nakanishi).
It is young sensibilities that pave the way for new paths.
I want the internet to be used to create new avenues.
製造機械の導入は大きな挑戦でしたが、時代の要求に応えていくには必要だと思い決断しました。「想ひ凾」のデザイナーや、 コーヒーミルの営業の方など新しい商品を作ってきたのは若い人たちばかり。業界の外からの斬新なアイディアに心を打たれました。今はSNSを通して口コミが拡がっていく時代。今までのように頭を下げて仕事をもらうだけでなく、「こんな素敵な商品が作れる」というイメージづくりが重要だと考えています。
代表取締役 野本 剛さん
Product pick-up! Omohaiko
As a display shelf for precious and everyday accessories and collections. Use it to hold whatever you like. The paulownia box can be opened and closed on either side, and the size of the opening and the height of the middle shelf can be changed to suit your personal preferences.
*There are three colours: wood, black and grey.
About Us
Nomoto Kirikan Seisakusho Ltd.
Address: 2-14-7, Aomi-machi, Kamo City, Niigata Prefecture, Japan
TEL：0256-52-1513
This article is a tie-up with the Niigata Prefecture Federation of Small Business Associations and Manufacturing Support Centre.
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