From waste materials to recycled materials: A challenge in "circular manufacturing" realized with lockers for schools and facilitiesLEC Co., Ltd.

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

"Even if you have a good product, it's difficult to sell." This is a challenge we've faced for many years. The process of creating a product, starting with "where, with whom, and how," is extremely complex, and even when we bring a good idea to life, the reality is that we lack the mechanisms to deliver it to the market. With environmental issues becoming a global concern, we believe that our product, MyPlaECO Locker, has a need not only in Japan but also overseas, and as part of our growth strategy, we began considering exporting it.

However, when it came to actually expanding overseas, we had absolutely no idea which country to target or what scheme to use. Lacking both knowledge and expertise, we sought out a reliable partner and consulted with a financial institution, which was the initial impetus. While comparing several services, we came across STANDAGE through a bank referral. We felt confident in the bank's recommendation and decided to implement their "Leave it to us Trading" service.

What exactly did it entail?

For us, who had absolutely no knowledge of international trade, "Omakase Trade" is truly a service that we can "leave everything to," just as the name suggests. For example, being able to entrust the entire logistics process, from arranging the trucks necessary for export to ship procedures and customs clearance, to a single company is extremely reassuring. Having a system in place to confidently entrust the "shipping" process, which we had no experience with before, to STANDAGE allows us to concentrate on our core business.

Furthermore, on-site, the sales representatives are not only supportive in practical matters but also provide emotional support, and even casual conversations offer valuable insights. I feel that this kind of close communication deepens mutual trust.

What effects have you seen since implementing it?

We believe that by actually implementing "Omakase Trading," we will be able to expand production volume and work on controlling costs. Our main clients, schools, purchase lockers themselves every year, so they often ask us to keep prices the same, and keeping production costs down is directly linked to our competitiveness.

By increasing sales volume through overseas markets, we can lower manufacturing costs. As a result, we can see a structure in place that allows us to pass those savings on to domestic customers. I believe this is an achievement that can only be obtained by working together with STANDAGE.

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

In the future, we aim to establish a system where we collaborate with overseas sales agents, who handle sales locally, while we ensure a stable supply of our products. Within this framework, we would like STANDAGE to continue supporting us not merely as a logistics agent, but as a liaison with local markets.

Recently, I visited Taiwan to negotiate with a manufacturer. There, I was surprised to hear that they wanted to import Japanese-made lockers into Taiwan, which opened up new possibilities. STANDAGE is a company that I can immediately consult with about "how to make this happen" in situations like these. In the future, I would like to work together with them to expand the possibilities of exporting not only lockers, but also new products and to different regions.

Comment from Mr. Yamada of LEC

One of the deciding factors in adopting "Omakase Trading" was the sense of security we felt knowing that the bank had responsibly recommended it. I think that sense of trust was what encouraged us to adopt it.
If there are any companies currently hesitating about whether to take the plunge into overseas expansion, I would say, "Please consult with us first." Even if you lack the know-how, STANDAGE will provide solid support for that first step—that is one of its greatest strengths.