Starting from scratch: Unlocking the potential of ginger wine with "Leave it to us trading"Nagato Foods Co., Ltd.

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

Up until now, our company has primarily focused on manufacturing, wholesale, and sales in the domestic market. One of our management principles is "Everything for our customers," and as an extension of this, we have long had our sights set on overseas markets, but we had been unable to take a full step forward. The reason for this was that we lacked the resources and know-how in-house regarding trade and overseas expansion, and we determined that it would be difficult to do so on our own, given the time and cost involved. In this context, being introduced to STANDAGE's "Omakase Trading" through a financial institution became a major turning point.

As a trade professional, having someone who can provide expert insights and practical leadership for companies like ours that are considering overseas expansion from scratch is extremely valuable, and we decided to take on the challenge while also coordinating with government subsidy programs.

What exactly did it entail?

As the service name "Leave it to us, trade" suggests, they lead all aspects of our export operations. Specifically, they provide comprehensive support, from practical trade-related tasks to strategic planning. What we particularly value is their willingness to guide us and work alongside us, even though we are novices in trade, in a way that is easy to understand.

We have great confidence in them not only for their practical support, such as defining the scope of work and organizing procedures, but also for their step-by-step proposals regarding approaches and methods for global expansion.

What results have you achieved since implementing it?

Although it's only been less than six months since we implemented it, what we've already realized is that we've "gotten moving." Before, we were stuck at the stage of "we want to do it, but we don't know how to start," but now we're starting to see a roadmap of which countries, how, and which products we'll deploy.

Furthermore, we find great value in the fact that the STANDAGE staff deeply empathize with our goals and continuously provide concrete suggestions for achieving them. We feel that they are not just outsourcing tasks, but are walking alongside us as business partners.

Currently, we are conducting research on the needs and market size of overseas markets, and are gradually establishing our sales system while receiving proposals that take into account local distribution structures and business practices.

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

In the future, we aim to establish a global sales system with STANDAGE and deliver our products to a wider audience overseas. To achieve this, we want to continue building a relationship where we can receive proactive suggestions on how to improve things, rather than being passive. We are truly grateful for their understanding of our aspirations and goals, and their professional approach to providing solutions.

The fact that they are not simply acting as a contractor, but are working on our project as if it were their own business unit, is something I am confident will contribute to our future growth.

Comment from Mr. Sakaguchi of Nagato Foods

For companies like ours that are just starting to venture into international trade, we feel that "Omakase Trade" is an extremely effective option. In particular, if you try to expand without having an in-house overseas business division, you will need to spend a lot of time and money on recruiting, training, and building the necessary infrastructure. However, with "Omakase Trade," the project team works together as a unified team, allowing the process to proceed very smoothly.

If your company is unsure how to achieve your goals or where to begin, we highly recommend contacting us for a consultation.