This article reports on how Kagawa-based wood-processing company マルトク carried out an M&A with NISSO GROUP Co.,Ltd., accelerated new product development by leveraging group synergies and advanced changes in workplace attitudes. Leaders at the company established a collaborative framework and promoted the development and visualisation of rules and processes.
Since 高松市, Kagawa-based マルトク carried out an M&A with NISSO GROUP Co.,Ltd. in 2024, new product development using resources from across the group and changes in workplace attitudes have progressed. Ishikawa Motoki (石川心基), manager of the Production Plant Department, and Fukuda Sotaro (福田宗太郎) of NISSO GROUP Co.,Ltd. discuss the background to the integration and the changes at the workplace.
Following the integration, management transparency was improved through measures including thorough inventory management, and operations were brought into line with NISSO GROUP Co.,Ltd.’s rules as a listed company. Although there was resistance from employees at the workplace, acceptance grew as the manufacturing department manager took the lead and set an example through his day-to-day work, broadening efforts to share the importance of the rules.
The new product “Crafree” is being developed as a home-equipment brand combining metal processing, tiles and wood, and has provided an opportunity to strengthen collaboration with other companies in the group. The product received a positive response from professionals at trade shows and has also helped expand opportunities for orders between group companies.
Changes in workplace attitudes include improved delivery times and quality and the establishment of monthly monitoring. A shift toward greater self-reliance is also evident, with sales staff establishing a practice of making planned customer visits. New initiatives, such as fortune-telling based on tree characters, have also helped invigorate internal communication.
Based on the recognition that the essence of M&A lies in fostering relationships between people, the company has indicated a policy of advancing workplace-led reform while maintaining a framework for collaboration that transcends the boundaries between the parent company and its subsidiaries. Further business development through collaboration within the group is expected.
The source is M&A Capital Partners’ official media outlet and presents a case study of workplace reform and new product development through collaboration between マルトク and NISSO GROUP Co.,Ltd.