Breaking Free from the Belief of "We Can Only Rely on Ourselves"—The Path to Trade Reform Chosen by a Manufacturing Sales DepartmentTo: Hakusan Co., Ltd. (Hikari Sales Department)

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

We originally handled products used overseas, and traditionally, we conducted export operations through domestic trading companies.

However, in recent years, the number of direct transactions has increased dramatically, making it difficult to keep up with the demand using our previous methods. With export operations now being handled directly by us, a tremendous amount of time and manpower is required for document preparation and shipping arrangements, and our limited resources are no longer sufficient to keep up.

As we aimed to achieve both operational efficiency and risk management, we felt that expert support regarding trade was absolutely essential.STANDAGE's "Omakase Trading" had already been implemented in another department.I learned that.

The success story from that department was shared within the company, leading to the decision to implement it. We also considered other companies' services, but the comprehensive, end-to-end support system provided by experts, which other companies' services lacked, was the deciding factor in our adoption.

What exactly did it entail?

What we appreciate most since implementing their system is the extensive support they provide for our trade operations. Previously, our company lacked sufficient knowledge of export operations, and we hadn't accumulated much expertise internally. In this context, receiving appropriate advice from the STANDAGE staff has been incredibly reassuring, and their flexible response to individual needs has been invaluable.

What we particularly appreciate is that by introducing "Omakase Trading," we can reduce the training burden on employees who are newly assigned to the business. Things that would normally require time to convey knowledge to staff are handled quickly by STANDAGE, who understands the process and takes action promptly, allowing us to respond with speed and efficiency.

What results have you achieved since implementing it?

The system went much more smoothly than expected from the initial stages, which significantly reduced lost opportunities related to our export operations. Thanks to STANDAGE's prompt and flexible response, we were able to prevent any disruption to our business.

Furthermore, we see significant advantages in building a system for the future. Working with STANDAGE staff, who possess professional expertise in trade, we are able to streamline processes and move towards internal standardization, which is a major step towards building a foundation for in-house production in the long term.

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

Our goal going forward is to standardize our export operations flow and establish a system that ensures consistent quality and speed regardless of who handles the process. To achieve this, we hope for even greater support, including suggestions from external parties and the provision of practical manuals.

Currently, you are providing support that aligns with our business style, but any more in-depth improvement suggestions would be extremely helpful in developing our own systems. We hope to continue our long-term relationship as partners in evolving our business together.

Comments from Mr. Okamoto and Mr. Sugimoto of Hakusan (Hikari Sales Department)

The greatest appeal of entrusted trade services is undoubtedly the support you receive from experts who are well-versed in international trade. For companies undertaking exports for the first time, there are many unknown areas, such as paperwork, the business practices of each country, and legal regulations, which can cause considerable anxiety.

In such circumstances, the peace of mind that comes from having a professional readily available to consult is immeasurable. We also have great confidence in their willingness to visit our sites and deepen their understanding of our products and operations.

For companies considering engaging in international trade, we highly recommend you consider STANDAGE's "Leave-it-to-us Trade" service. Our speedy and flexible response, along with our expert perspective and ability to offer proposals, will directly contribute to accelerating your business.