Kansai Chuo Branch
Shiga Distribution Center
Office Manager
YASUHIRO KANAMARU
I'm in charge of supervising the operations of one of the company's distribution centers, one that is mainly specialized for apparel. We make several thousand deliveries per day, with work being performed by several full-time employees and over 100 part-timers. I work from the standpoint of managing everything from the very beginning. This is why I draw out the most important points of our daily work to communicate to the part-timers, and delegate authority while making sure we are heading in the same direction. In addition, my work touches on not only the storage and delivery functions of an apparel warehouse; I also believe in the great potential for providing one-stop services that also offer sewing and ironing, so I also have to manage with thoughts on what our next moves will be, by ascertaining the operational status of our warehouse and creating new business opportunities through partnerships with other warehouses. Konoike's characteristics of doing everything to see happiness on a customer's face and confronting challenges before other companies do, give the entire organization a strong feeling of curiosity, which I believe widens its business areas. I believe it also has in its DNA the fact that superiors allow this to occur.
One of our customers is one of Japan's largest makers of apparel. In a user survey conducted by this customer, the packaging that we were in charge of stood out as the target of praise among all of the items covered by the survey. In addition, one of the free-answer sections from an end user read, "The packaging was in such a beautiful state that I got excited." This made a strong impression on me. This manufacturer has a history of many years with us, and our current relationship is the product of the boundless curiosity of the employees who came before us, and the accumulation of their many ideas. It makes me truly happy, and proud of the fact that Konoike received praise in this way for its continued efforts to provide its offerings in a single package, in a case that did not involve introducing some special equipment to effect improvements. To what extent can this be repeated in the future? I believe the answer can be found by asking ourselves if we are able to exceed the expectations of our customers and society.
Striving to go beyond expectations. At first it struck me as an intimidating phrase, but after speaking with a customer, they told me that they would be happy if everything continued the way it had up until then. They said, "Is that not exceeding your expectations?" "No, that should exceed them," I answered with a laugh. Being able to have this kind of communication is an important part of our relationships. The confidence I had up to that point became a conviction. Brands do not make employees stronger. Rather, the thinking of each individual employee and the thoughts we have for our customers makes the brand stronger. As long as we continue to do our jobs properly, the brand should naturally grow stronger. The company has grown into the large organization that it is on this premise. I believe that our mission is to preserve this DNA.
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.