Starting with blue sheets, HAGIHARA INDUSTRIES INC. (hereinafter referred to as "HAGIHARA INDUSTRIES") manufactures materials that support a wide range of fields including civil engineering and agriculture. It began as a flower mat wholesaler, "Hagiwara Shoten," and is now the only publicly traded company headquartered in Mizushima, continuing to thrive globally.
The products created using unique technologies such as "cutting, stretching, rolling, and weaving" are highly durable and of very high quality. These technologies are highly regarded not only domestically but also internationally.
What kind of thoughts do the employees working at HAGIHARA INDUSTRIES hold as they continue to take on challenges both domestically and abroad?
We interviewed a young employee at HAGIHARA INDUSTRIES, Hatta Kenji.
About HAGIHARA INDUSTRIES INC.
HAGIHARA INDUSTRIES INC. manufactures and sells products using synthetic resin fibers called "Flat Yarn" and industrial machinery that utilizes the technology of Flat Yarn. It was established in 1962 in Mizushima, Kurashiki City.
Flat Yarn is a tape-like fiber made by slitting polyethylene and polypropylene films into strips and stretching them to enhance strength. HAGIHARA INDUSTRIES develops a synthetic resin business that manufactures and sells various products using Flat Yarn.
While the term Flat Yarn may not be familiar, Flat Yarn products are actively used in our daily lives, such as blue sheets, artificial turf, carpets, and packaging for fresh produce.
The representative product of HAGIHARA INDUSTRIES, the blue sheet, is characterized by its high durability and the ability to be reused for a long time. It is used not only for cherry blossom viewing and leisure activities but also during disasters.
Additionally, applying the technical skills of "cutting, stretching, rolling, and weaving" essential for manufacturing Flat Yarn, HAGIHARA INDUSTRIES is also expanding its machinery business, focusing on the manufacture and sale of industrial machinery.
Kurashiki Tocotoco also has an article introducing the company, so please be sure to read that as well.
Additionally, on the company's founding anniversary, November 29, steak is served in the cafeteria in line with "Good Meat Day."
Hatta Kenji Working at HAGIHARA INDUSTRIES
The person who agreed to this interview is Hatta Kenji, who belongs to the HC (Home Center) E-commerce Team in the Industrial Materials Sales Department. He was born in 1996 and is from Tottori Prefecture.
Hatta was dedicated to research in the graduate school of Tottori University. At the time of job hunting, he moved to Kurashiki and joined the company as a new employee in 2021.
After joining, he first experienced the manufacturing site and was then assigned to the current sales department. He mentions that knowing the site makes it easier to convey the appeal of the products and facilitates discussions with the manufacturing site when there are requests from customers.
About Hatta's Job
Hatta's job consists of two main parts.
The first is sales proposals for products to home centers. Hatta is responsible for home centers in the western Japan area.
His main tasks include negotiating with buyers at home centers, responding to product orders and inquiries, creating proposal materials, and sometimes meeting with agents to make proposals tailored to customer needs. When proposing new products, Hatta emphasizes the importance of sincerely conveying how high-quality products benefit customers.
In today's world, where online communication has increased, it may not always be necessary to meet in person. However, Hatta is influenced by his boss's desire to convey enthusiasm directly and actively visits customers.
Because they meet face-to-face, conversations do not end with just business matters, and natural small talk often arises. He mentions that ideas often come from these casual conversations, leading to new proposals and projects.
The fact that products are reordered is strongly felt to be due to the accumulation of such trust relationships.
The second part is sales activities for new customers.
He is also responsible for sales of printed sheets that can accommodate sizes up to extra-large (5m wide × 30m long), which started in 2023. Rather than aimlessly approaching, he identifies potential needs from existing connections and approaches them.
Coordinating closely with the internal manufacturing team regarding delivery times and designs is also an important part of his job. Unlike the blue sheets traditionally handled, printed materials require meticulous attention to packaging. He mentioned that different perspectives and skills are required from manufacturing to delivery compared to previous products.
In retail stores, printed sheets are gradually increasing in success stories, such as being used for signs. He states, "While there are challenges in making proposals tailored to each customer, it also leads to a great sense of fulfillment."
Encounter with HAGIHARA INDUSTRIES
Hatta, who was dedicated to research in graduate school at Tottori University, reflects that he had many opportunities to visit universities across the country due to conferences and paper presentations during his time as a graduate student.
During his job search, he focused on research positions and looked for companies in nearby Hyogo, Okayama, and Hiroshima, including HAGIHARA INDUSTRIES. Ultimately, he narrowed it down to five companies, including HAGIHARA INDUSTRIES. He mentioned that he did not know the name of HAGIHARA INDUSTRIES when he first found it online, as it was the only Okayama company he considered.
While progressing through the job search, what struck Hatta was the passion of the president. During a company information session when visiting the site, he experienced the president personally guiding the job seekers through the factory and felt that passion.
Hatta said, "Despite the scale of HAGIHARA INDUSTRIES INC., I was drawn to the president's willingness to say, 'Let's do it!' and not shy away from hard work. I honestly thought, 'I want to follow this person.'" He also participated in information sessions at other companies, but he did not encounter any companies with the same level of enthusiasm as HAGIHARA INDUSTRIES INC., and the president's passion was the deciding factor for joining the company.
At that time, Hatta was also at a stage where he wanted to focus on his studies and research. Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, the selection process was very speedy, and being the first to receive a job offer may have been a factor that made him feel a connection.
What does Hatta see as the appeal of HAGIHARA INDUSTRIES INC. as a "workplace"?
Hatta believes the appeal of HAGIHARA INDUSTRIES INC. lies in the large number of proactive employees and the discretionary environment.
As reflected in the slogan "Interesting, let's try it right away", there is a culture at HAGIHARA INDUSTRIES INC. where everyone works together on things they find interesting. If a young employee proposes, "I want to create a new product," there is an open atmosphere that supports that challenge.
From young employees to management, everyone is serious about their work, and the older generation properly observes and evaluates the efforts of the younger generation, which contributes to motivation.
Additionally, young employees have many opportunities to express their opinions to the older generation. Young employees are often appointed as team leaders or give instructions in sales, and the frequent communication that transcends age boundaries is also a characteristic of HAGIHARA INDUSTRIES INC. The proactivity of each employee may be nurtured through such experiences.
Having joined HAGIHARA INDUSTRIES INC., Hatta is now entering his sixth year since joining in 2026. He shared his current job satisfaction and future goals.
Data on HAGIHARA INDUSTRIES INC.
| Organization Name | HAGIHARA INDUSTRIES INC. |
|---|---|
| Industry | Manufacturing and sales of industrial machinery using synthetic resin fibers "Flat Yarn" made primarily from polyethylene and polypropylene, as well as related products and slitting machines utilizing Flat Yarn technology. |
| Representative Name | Asano Kazushi |
| Year Established | 1962 |
| Address | 1-4 Nakado, Mizushima, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Contact | 086-440-0860 |
| Website | HAGIHARA INDUSTRIES INC. Website |
