Beyond sound management: New possibilities for overseas trade envisioned by the fisheries industry.Seto Suisan Co., Ltd.

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

Based in Kagawa Prefecture, we were steadily developing our business in the domestic market, and our sales were stable. Therefore, at that time, we didn't feel we had any major challenges. However, when a representative from a local financial institution suggested that there might be potential for overseas expansion, it became the catalyst for us to consider taking our first step overseas.

It was a time when the yen was weakening, and society as a whole felt a tailwind for export businesses. In that context, I learned about STANDAGE's "Omakase Trading" and instinctively felt that "this is something I can leave everything to," so I decided to implement it without comparing it to other companies' services.

What exactly did it entail?

At the beginning of the service, it took some time to align the situations and perspectives of both parties, but over time, a collaborative system began to take shape. Especially since the start of this year, concrete and detailed information sharing, such as "We currently have this proposal" and "Let's move on to this next step," has been continuously taking place, and the direction of our efforts has become clearer.

We feel that the progress of our sales activities has become more visible, and internal decision-making has become smoother. Reporting, communication, and proposal exchanges have become established, and we are starting to feel that projects are steadily moving forward, albeit slowly. We still have a long way to go to see any quantifiable results, but the fact that we have built trust that things are moving steadily is a big step forward.

What effects have you seen since implementing it?

Currently, we are receiving inquiries from companies in countries with which we previously had no contact, such as Australia and Singapore. Recent reports indicate that several companies have expressed interest, which has raised expectations within the company.

Having worked in international trade in my previous job, I understand its complexity and the high hurdles involved. In this context, I find great value in the STANDAGE team's expertise in practical matters, and their ability to provide not just introductions, but also practical advice that takes negotiations with partner countries into consideration.

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

Currently, we've only just reached the starting line. Going forward, our goal is to establish a system that allows for regular transactions with overseas companies. As a numerical target, we aim to recoup the initial investment in this overseas expansion within two years.

Therefore, we want STANDAGE to steadily build upon actions that, while steady, will surely lead to results. Rather than flashy results, we believe that taking steady steps forward will ultimately lead to great achievements.

Comment from Mr. Seto of Seto Fisheries

I believe the appeal of "Omakase Trading" lies in its ability to "access places we couldn't reach on our own." It steadily expands our connections with overseas companies that we previously had no contact with, and provides us with information we couldn't obtain on our own. Initially, it was difficult to see the overall picture of trade, but over time, each element connected, and the overall picture of our overseas expansion became clearer.

We see this initiative as a form of "hands-on support." While it requires a proactive approach from the companies involved, we hope that this will lead to more substantial transactions that go beyond mere formal matching.