Higashi-Nihon Branch
Ome Distribution Center
Subgroup Leader
TOMOMI HIRUMA
I work in the distribution operations for food product manufacturers, a segment that the Konoike Group as a whole has been involved with for a long time. For about 20 years, from the time that I was a part-timer in school, I've worked as a contractor and as a full-time employee, picking up orders from warehouses and operating forklifts. I'm primarily focused on managerial work now. Although we aren't a large-scale warehouse, we work as a team to implement initiatives for selling unique products on the market, using methods such as "pointing and calling", where we aim to be the best in country. In this environment, not only am I involved in the day-to-day operations such as accounting and attendance records, I also am aware of my role as a mediator between leaders and other team members. I believe that smooth communication is the most important point when creating an environment that staff find easy to work in. My boss when I was a part-timer taught me about the joy of work, and this forms the foundation of my stance on work today. I want to make sure that this concept is passed on to the next generation.
When I was younger, there was actually a time when I quit this place for half a year. I didn't want to wear the work clothes, and dreamed of other attire... But when I was having concerns and not showing any joy in my actual work, my boss and coworkers at the time worried about me and talked with me. I believe this is the reason I am what I am today. I thought that operating a forklift was my calling in life. In any case, I liked driving them. When I returned after having children, I was really unsure of myself, but everyone greeted me with open arms. Even with automation where tasks are performed by robots, I believe that there is truly a person at the center of it all. Whatever the process, people will always have some relation to it. This is what I believe. I want to contribute even more to building a kind of teamwork where every member of the team thinks about how they can help the others.
I've had to overcome some hardships in the past, such as running the business at our site after several important team members retired at the same time, as well as dealing with shipments in the wake of the Great East Japan earthquake. Even so, I believe that these experiences are connected to the strong bonds tying together the members of our business office. In particular, I felt the strength of each individual's abilities during the time when we were understaffed. Even as an on-site forklift operator, I started to think about the next generation. Using the foundation created over 30 years by various leaders at the warehousing site and in transportation, I want to create new value for the times to come, and make sure that we pass it along to the next generation. At the moment, we're doing this via trial and error. I would like to see the appeal of distribution created by our people grow even further.
With my own hands, I am making things that are used all over the world.
Kashima BranchSteel Sheet Section
JUNKO
NISHIMURA
The strength of logistics contributes even at workplaces where people's lives are at stake
Konoike Medical Co., Ltd.Tokyo Office
Manager
HIROSHI
NAKATA
Exceeding our customers' expectations creates a very rewarding feeling.
K Sky Co., Ltd.Haneda Office
Head
MASAYO
YAMAMOTO
Following rules to protect quality. This leads to the power of trust.
Tokai BranchNagoya Nishi Office
Subgroup Leader
NORIFUMI
TSUTSUMI
Creating an environment that everyone finds easy to work in is an important job in itself.
Higashi-Nihon BranchOme Distribution Center
Subgroup Leader
TOMOMI
HIRUMA
There's no such thing as magic. Everyone must band together and head in the same direction.
Kanto BranchKamisu Office
Chief Leader
HIROYUKI
HARA
I want to overcome barriers with flexible thinking, in both work and the environment.
International Logistics (Osaka) BranchHiroshima Regional Office
Assistant Manager
MIHO
TERAGAKI
Our employees' approach and thoughts for our customers strengthen the brand.
Kansai Chuo BranchShiga Distribution Center
Office Manager
YASUHIRO
KANAMARU
Maintenance is not passive. By looking one step ahead, we can support our customers' high-quality manufacturing.
Kashima BranchSteel Plate Section
Group Leader
MASASHI
HIRANUMA
I want to use my long experience to provide new proposals for management, so that we can also help develop the next generation.
Kashima BranchSteelmaking Materials Section
YOSHIAKI
KOMAI
I think about how to move ahead for the sake of the sales office. I'm ready.
Higashi-Nihon BranchKunitachi Distribution Center
Group Leader
TOMOKO
AIDA
While working to create management with roots in the local community, we want to disseminate the Konoike DNA.
Konoike Logistics (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.Konoike Asia (Jiangsu) Co., Ltd.
Director General Manager
XU
LEI
Even on the far side of the world, I want to do my best.
Konoike Mexico S. A. de C. V.
RIKU
HIWATASHI
We will use our frontline strength to build an unwavering relationship of trust with customers.
Kanto Chuo BranchFujimi Office
Office Manager
YASUHIRO
FUKUSHIMA
After I choose my path, I want to look back with no regrets.
Kyushu Sanko Unyu Co., Ltd.Kumamoto Center
NARUMI
FUKUSHIMA
I take pride in being part of a “strength that never lets up” that is unmatched in Japan.
Higashi-Nihon BranchShibukawa Office
Packaging Group
Sub Group Leader
YUYA
SAITO
*The employee title and affiliation were as of the time of the interview.