Starting from scratch in fields both domestically and internationally
The joy of having the product you created come into your hands.

Please tell me your reasons for joining the company.

In my previous job, I spent approximately eight years in research and development. After that, I moved to the sales promotion department, where I was in charge of product development and marketing for a product area that I had developed myself. However, I had a strong desire to return to the development field someday. Due to changes in the company's situation, this wish could not be fulfilled, so I decided to change jobs. The deciding factor in joining Archem was that the work I could be responsible for was very close to the work I wanted to do as a development professional.

Could you please describe your current job responsibilities?

I belong to the OA Electrical Materials Development Department and am in charge of developing printer components called developing rollers. These are important components that accurately apply toner to paper. We handle many products for overseas manufacturers, and when launching new models, we are involved in the entire manufacturing process, from close communication with customers to quality improvements and considerations for improving manufacturability at the factory.

What do you find rewarding about your work?

I find it rewarding to be able to handle tasks from material formulation considerations to quality evaluation and confirmation of manufacturability at the factory. The joy of seeing a product that I've been involved with from start to finish reach the customer is priceless. In addition, I have many opportunities to communicate directly with customers, and as a product development manager, I can experience the process of developing products in collaboration with various stakeholders both inside and outside the company. I think the appeal of the OA Electrical Materials Development Department is that it allows me to broadly improve my skills as an engineer.

Are there any memorable experiences you've had in your work?

One of the most memorable experiences after joining Archem was participating as a development engineer in the launch of new manufacturing equipment at a group company's factory in the Philippines, just one month after joining the company. Initially, I was only scheduled to tour the factory, but I thought that since I was going there anyway, I might as well gain experience as a development engineer, so I participated in a two-week launch verification. While I was there, I was communicating with local staff in English, and at the time I wasn't very confident in my language skills and didn't know much about the equipment or technology, so I vividly remember desperately trying to communicate using gestures, body language, and illustrations. Even now, I still struggle with communicating in English, but I think that having this experience so early in my career has made subsequent communication with factories much smoother. Currently, I have regular meetings with overseas factories and travel there two or three times a year, and I try to ensure that we are all on the same page by using not only words but also documents and diagrams to show things visually.

What do you value most when it comes to your work?

Communication is key. In any job, not just development work, you interact with many people, so I believe that maintaining thorough communication, even in negative situations, is essential for smooth workflow, ensuring that everyone involved is working towards the same goal. Also, although it's easy to get overwhelmed with your own work, I try to gather information by talking to other team members and departments as much as possible, hoping to gain new insights and discoveries.

Please tell me about the appeal of Archem.

1. Combining the technical expertise of a long-established company with the agility unique to a new company.

Based on a stable corporate foundation and systems, you can take advantage of the speed unique to a new company and work with a high degree of autonomy. As a company spun off from a long-established company with a long history, the product launch process is systematized, and I believe that ISO standards are strictly adhered to. In addition, even young employees have the opportunity to be involved in business decision-making, such as reporting to management, and there are many opportunities to launch products and prototypes at overseas group company factories. This is an ideal environment for young people who are eager to take on challenges.

2. Flexible working arrangements

We offer flexible working arrangements such as teleworking and flextime. We have a comprehensive system in place to accommodate different life stages, and I myself used the childcare leave system when my child was born. Additionally, it's possible to adjust working hours or take breaks during the day to drop off or pick up children. My child will soon be starting daycare, so I hope to continue contributing to the team while successfully balancing work and family life.

Please tell us about your future career vision and goals.

As a development engineer, I want to hone my skills by being involved in the development of a variety of products, including not only products from my own department but also new businesses and products from other departments. Currently, I am in charge of products for overseas markets, so I want to grow into a globally active professional by collaborating effectively with overseas stakeholders.