Bringing nori (seaweed) production, a tradition dating back to the Taisho era, to tables around the world.Seibu Nori Co., Ltd.

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

Our company began to focus on overseas markets around the summer of 2024.

Up until now, our business has mainly revolved around domestic wholesalers, but our desire to deliver our seaweed to more customers led us to consider overseas markets. As the president, I had no reservations about going overseas, but I felt that it wouldn't be realistic to simply replicate the cold-calling sales tactics we use domestically when operating abroad.

Initially, I consulted with JETRO, who taught me how to acquire customers by exhibiting at trade shows. Around that time, a consultant who had helped me with my cosmetics business gave a lecture, and that's how I learned about STANDAGE. I didn't know where to start, but after several consultations, we decided to sign a two-year contract.

Having a relationship where I could easily consult with them, and receiving support on unclear aspects such as FDA procedures, alleviated my anxieties, and I finally feel like I've reached the starting line.

What exactly did it entail?

What was particularly reassuring for us was STANDAGE's assistance in securing appointments with new clients through email and phone calls, as well as creating landing pages for overseas markets. The staff at STANDAGE have been very sincere in their support, and they have been able to reach clients that we would not have been able to connect with on our own. The new email outreach they conducted recently has given us a real sense of accomplishment, creating connections with promising leads who are showing a good response.

What effects have you seen since implementing it?

As for concrete results, we have successfully sent samples to the United States (for sushi restaurants), Singapore (via trade shows), Hong Kong (brought along during business trips), Malaysia, Greece and Switzerland (for ramen chains), and France (for wholesalers). We have also received inquiries from overseas through our website, and we are currently working with STANDAGE to confirm and respond to them.

While our export track record is still in its early stages, we have steadily progressed in laying the foundation for overseas expansion, including completing FDA facility registration, creating landing pages for overseas markets, and exhibiting at the FHA trade show. Reaching the starting line from a state of knowing nothing is a huge step for our company. In the future, we dream of having each employee be responsible for their own area, and we are steadily working towards achieving that. Our next goal is to list our products on Amazon Australia, and in October, we plan to expand into Canada through our own channels.

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

Now that we've reached the halfway point, I would like to have the opportunity to accompany you on overseas business negotiations, even if only for a short period. I would also be happy if you continue to actively provide opportunities such as trade shows.

Based on your daily reports, I believe we can make even greater progress if you can also provide more in-depth suggestions on what we should do next. I hope we can continue to find partners who are enthusiastic and committed to our work.

Furthermore, it would be appreciated if the systems used for daily communication, such as the trade cloud, could be improved to be more user-friendly.

Comment from Mr. Nishide of Seibu Nori Co., Ltd.

I would especially recommend this service to companies in the food industry that are facing challenges such as labor shortages and difficulties in handling English-language inquiries. However, it's not as easy as the word "leave it to us" might suggest; if you leave everything to us, nothing will progress. I believe that results can only be achieved when both the seller and the buyer are passionate about the process.