Sakamoto Poultry - From egg production to sales. The commitment of an egg shop that grows with the times.

Interview with Sakamoto Akihiro, President of Sakamoto Egg Co., Ltd.

Sakamoto Akihiro is the second president of Sakamoto Egg Co., Ltd.

Together with the former president (current chairman) Sakamoto Yasuhiro, he has been developing the business of Sakamoto Egg.

We will ask Sakamoto Akihiro about the secret of being loved by the community as an egg shop.

The background of the all-round player of eggs

What does the all-round player of eggs mean?

Sakamoto (honorific omitted)

In 2019, we整理しました our strengths to review the brand image of Sakamoto Egg.

Not only the wholesale business of eggs that has continued since the founding, including egg production, processing, and direct sales, but also the ability to handle all kinds of businesses related to eggs is a characteristic of Sakamoto Egg.

As long as we have eggs, we can transform them into various forms.

Therefore, the phrase we set forth as a brand strategy to survive in the egg industry is the all-round player of eggs.

It embodies the determination to thrive like an all-round player in the world of sports.

Is it rare for a company to handle everything from egg production to direct sales?

Sakamoto

There are other companies that consistently engage in egg-related businesses such as production and direct sales.

However, Sakamoto Egg has a unique strength.

Sakamoto Egg is skilled in processing into side dishes and has made egg rolls, egg tofu, and dashimaki tamago (Japanese rolled omelet) so far.

In fact, the strong regional characteristic of Mizushima has emerged, and the history of providing industrial meals to companies in the industrial area has become our strength.

We continue to create products utilizing the techniques cultivated throughout the history of Sakamoto Egg.

Was there a trigger that made you realize your strengths?

Sakamoto

I once guided an employee from a company that was thinking about brand strategy to the processing plant.

For me, the scenery inside the factory is a daily occurrence, so I didn't think new ideas would emerge, but it seemed to be something rare for someone from outside.

While watching freshly made egg rolls, they told me, "I want to eat this!"

I realized that my senses had dulled, and in fact, wanting to eat freshly made products is the general feeling of people.

In considering the brand strategy, I thought that the technology we had cultivated to produce egg side dishes would be a strength.

Until the direct sales store was established

I believe it was your first experience selling to general customers. How did you start?

Sakamoto

After gaining the hint that Sakamoto Egg's strength lies in its ability to make side dishes, we first created a simple sales stand.

It was a really simple shop, just placing a long table in front of the factory building.

We announced it on social media (SNS) and devised ways to minimize costs and time.

As long as I used my body and time, it wouldn't burden the employees.

We operated for just one hour every Saturday morning from 9 AM, and there was a response from the local people, gradually increasing the number of customers.

Why was it possible to establish a permanent direct sales store?

Sakamoto

At that time, the COVID-19 pandemic had just begun, and the income from side dishes sold to companies was starting to decline.

Since the simple sales stand was doing well, we decided to shift our management policy to sell to general customers.

We thought we would start with what we could do, and opened the direct sales store in May 2020.

The development process of the egg sandwich

What was the trigger for wanting to make an egg sandwich?

Sakamoto

Before the sales dropped due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I had already started to feel that the selling price of eggs was decreasing, and that management was becoming unsustainable.

Therefore, I began product development for egg sandwiches aiming for sixth industrialization.

At that time, we were in the stage of preparing to establish a poultry farm, so we could not receive support from Okayama Prefecture for sixth industrialization.

By the end of 2019, when we had a prospect for opening the direct sales store and had been operating the poultry farm for several years, we were able to apply for and receive approval for sixth industrialization.

"Sixth industrialization" refers to the process by which agricultural, forestry, and fishery producers (primary industry) enhance the inherent value of their products, thereby improving their income.

Source: Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries

How did you develop it?

Sakamoto

I approached the development of the egg sandwich with a playful mindset, creating prototypes based on ideas that came to mind.

A few times a month, I would take prototypes to my favorite bar in Mizushima and get feedback from the master and regular customers.

I would get frustrated and keep bringing them back.

Now, the egg sandwich is the flagship product of Sakamoto Egg and is lined up in the direct sales store.

What are the characteristics of the egg sandwich?

Sakamoto

It's the volume!

Using the same amount of eggs as the egg sandwich sold by Sakamoto Egg would be difficult for other companies due to cost.

Since we have our own poultry farm, we can keep costs down when making the egg sandwich.

Of course, we also focus on taste, making it gently seasoned so that you never get tired of eating it.

We aimed for a friendly taste that allows customers to enjoy the egg sandwich until the end and come back to buy it again.

The background of establishing the poultry farm

Is there a reason for establishing the poultry farm?

Sakamoto

There are two reasons.

One is that the quality of eggs is declining nationwide.

Eggs are produced by chickens raised in poultry farms.

Most of the feed given to the chickens is corn, but recently it has started to be used as a raw material for bioenergy, leading to price surges.

As a result, poultry farm operators tend to choose cheaper feed to reduce costs.

Cheap feed is of poor quality, which also deteriorates the quality of the eggs.

The other reason is that stable procurement of eggs is difficult.

If there is a company that will buy eggs for even one yen more, egg producers will switch to that company.

As a result, we were struggling to procure high-quality eggs stably.

Therefore, to improve egg quality and ensure stable procurement, in 2011, we started the egg production business by renting an unused poultry farm in Bisei-cho.

Can you compete with other companies in terms of cost while seeking quality in egg production?

Sakamoto

To compete in both quality and cost, we developed Sakamoto Egg's unique technology of fermented feed.

Through decades of wholesale business, we have sourced eggs from all over the country and processed them for many years, so we understand the information about the feed given by producers.

When I thought about how to produce high-quality eggs using the knowledge I had, I arrived at fermented feed.

Then, together with the former president, we studied modern agriculture and fermentation, and developed Sakamoto Egg's unique fermented feed.

The future of Sakamoto Egg

Since you started selling to general customers, have there been any changes among the employees?

Sakamoto

I feel that there are more employees who approach their work with confidence after hearing customer feedback.

Since there were many businesses aimed at companies, such as egg wholesale and industrial meals, employees had few opportunities to meet customers.

I think many of them were shy about going outside while always working inside the factory.

A significant change occurred when we held factory tours and direct sales events.

Customers were happily packing Sakamoto Egg products into boxes.

The employees were able to feel that they are "making people smile with what they have created."

Since the direct sales store was established, the opportunities for employees to interact with customers have increased, and I believe the employees have become more motivated in their work.

Do you have any expectations for the employees?

Sakamoto

Before establishing the poultry farm, it was a small company.

It was a one-man team led by the founder's father, who handled everything from product development to sales and purchasing alone.

It may have been good that the business was sustainable, but the employees were not growing.

However, in recent years, with the increase in departments, there are now tasks that I cannot handle alone.

Due to changes in the environment, the employees have started to think proactively as they work.

One of my current goals is to nurture employees so that they can improve their work with their own roles.

What kind of company do you want to create in the future?

Sakamoto

I aim to be a company that contributes to the community.

Recently, due to being featured on television programs, many people have come to recognize the name Sakamoto Eggs.

I have even received words like, "I'm glad there is an egg shop like Sakamoto Eggs in the neighborhood."

This is a phrase I could never have imagined when I was working for corporate clients.

My grandfather ran a store selling daily necessities and food products in Mizushima.

When I was little, I was sometimes entrusted with the cash register, and I always watched the store's activities.

I recall the scene of neighbors gathering in front of the store, engaging in lively conversations.

In fact, when I started the direct sales store at Sakamoto Eggs, I felt it was a return to my roots.

Just like my grandfather's store, I have come to think that Sakamoto Eggs also wants to become a beloved presence in the community.

Hearing About the Behind-the-Scenes of Sakamoto Eggs

While listening to Mr. Sakamoto's story, I was able to reflect on the history of Sakamoto Eggs and understand how it has grown in line with the times.

The establishment of the poultry farm and sales aimed at general customers are strategies to survive in a changing era.

We are connecting the business without overlooking even small hints.

It is said that we are in a rapidly changing era, but Sakamoto Eggs seems to be grasping the flow of the times and riding the wave.

I feel like I have been shown a model by Mr. Sakamoto on how to succeed in business without being swayed by the social environment.

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