"We might not be able to do it..." - How a "health-focused" SME's overseas venture changed that perception.Showa Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

Could you tell us what led you to introduce STANDAGE's automated trading service this time?

For us at Showa Pharmaceutical, "overseas expansion" has long been a major challenge. The biggest obstacle was a lack of resources. We lacked dedicated personnel to develop overseas sales channels, and their language skills and knowledge of international business were insufficient. Because we were handling this in addition to our regular duties, there were inevitably limitations to what we could do. In addition, we lacked reliable sources of information regarding import and export regulations and local marketing information, making it difficult to conduct sales activities by visiting overseas locations. As a result, we had no choice but to rely on communication via social media and email, which inevitably led to a lack of effectiveness and reliability.

It was during a seminar on overseas expansion support hosted by a local government that we encountered STANDAGE's "Omakase Trading" service. We were attracted by its track record of handling emerging markets, including Africa, and the feeling that "we can entrust them with the parts that are beyond our reach" was the deciding factor in adopting it. In particular, we had high expectations that it would be able to effectively address business opportunities that we had previously missed due to barriers such as payment methods.

What exactly did it entail?

What surprised us most after implementation was the approach to achieving results in ways we would never have thought of on our own. Specifically, this included promotional activities utilizing local influencers. We didn't even know where or how to approach them to acquire customers, so it was an area we were completely out of our reach.

Furthermore, the fact that STANDAGE actually conducts sales activities on-site is extremely reassuring. I feel that their ability to consistently handle everything from strategy planning to execution, tailored to local marketing conditions, is a major strength that other services lack.

What effects have you seen since implementing it?

The biggest achievement is that we were able to take a step into overseas markets that we had never even considered before. We had some anxieties at the beginning of the implementation, but once we actually started working on it, we began to see how we could build relationships with customers who are likely to continue purchasing our products.

Our company is a pharmaceutical manufacturer, and in addition to exporting existing products, we also handle product development through OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) arrangements. Through this initiative, we have also seen new business directions, such as developing products tailored to market needs in collaboration with local companies.

What kind of support do you expect from Omakase Trading in the future?

Going forward, we aim to expand our overseas business to an annual sales scale of 10 million yen. To achieve this, we continue to expect STANDAGE to provide us with primary information that allows us to quickly grasp local market trends and to propose concrete action plans based on that information.

It's incredibly helpful for small and medium-sized enterprises like ours to receive not just information, but also suggestions that clearly indicate "what we should do next."

Showa Pharmaceutical Comment from Mr. Arao

I believe "Omakase Trading" is an extremely useful service for companies considering overseas expansion. In particular, for companies like ours that deal with food and pharmaceuticals, exporting requires a wide range of tasks, including preparing necessary documents, complying with regulations, and utilizing subsidies. In reality, it is almost impossible to handle all of these tasks in-house.

STANDAGE handles all of these complex tasks, making them an extremely reliable partner. I recommend that companies considering overseas expansion consult with them first. Rather than fumbling around in the dark, partnering with a trustworthy professional will allow you to steadily overcome the high hurdles of international trade.