Introduction
Nankai Plywood, a prominent manufacturer established in 1942 and based in Takamatsu, Kagawa, has successfully embraced digital transformation in its sales operations by implementing the cloud-based business card management and sales support tool, Hot Profile. This move aims to enhance operational efficiency and streamline the sharing of customer information across the organization.
Company Background
Nankai Plywood specializes in the construction materials sector, focusing on storage solutions. With a commitment to providing high-quality products and a brand concept of "comfortable storage living", the company offers various storage solutions tailored for closets, kitchens, and shoe areas, among others. Nankai Plywood primarily conducts sales through wholesalers and direct visits to builders, remodeling shops, and other clients. The sales team often travels across the country, spending two to three weeks per month on business trips.
Previously, the company's reliance on paper-based business cards posed significant challenges. Managing and retrieving customer information was cumbersome, and keeping track of the latest personnel changes at client companies required considerable time and effort. To tackle these issues, Nankai Plywood decided to adopt a digital solution as part of its efforts to advance its digital transformation.
Challenges Faced
- - Fragmented business card management among team members hampered information sharing.
- - Searching for customer information was time-consuming.
- - Storing and managing paper business cards created physical space issues.
- - Carrying paper copies of business cards during trips was a logistical hassle.
- - Obtaining updated personnel information took longer than desired.
Selecting Hot Profile
After comparing multiple business card management tools, Nankai Plywood chose Hot Profile for several key reasons:
- - Ease of registering business cards.
- - Automatic updates of personnel information from client companies.
- - Scalability that supports target selection and strategic planning.
- - Strong customer support services.
Implementation Results
Since incorporating Hot Profile, Nankai Plywood has experienced significant improvements in its sales processes:
- - Rapid information sharing through the automatic generation of a customer database.
- - Timely updates on personnel changes facilitating appropriate actions within the sales team.
- - Enhanced visibility of internal connections, simplifying handover processes.
- - Instant access to customer information via a mobile app, even while on the go.
Comments from Nankai Plywood
In a recent statement, Tomoyasu Sugino, Group Manager of the Sales Promotion Group at Nankai Plywood, highlighted the current challenges facing the company. He noted that the housing market is shrinking due to population decline, leading to fewer new homes being built. As a response, Nankai Plywood aims to increase the number of installations per house while tapping into previously explored opportunities in remodeling and collective housing sectors. Sugino emphasized the need to utilize digitized data effectively to establish a robust marketing strategy that goes beyond simple sales transactions. The company is committed to continuing its focus on digital transformation and leveraging data to create an efficient work environment for its sales staff.
About Nankai Plywood
For further information, visit
Nankai Plywood's website.
About Hot Profile
Hot Profile is a comprehensive sales support and business card management tool designed to strengthen sales efforts and boost revenue. It integrates essential sales processes, from lead generation to customer management, enabling firms to utilize customer data effectively for strategic sales initiatives.
About Hammock Inc.
Hammock is a software development company based in Shinjuku, Tokyo. Established in 1994, it aims to leverage technology to offer innovative experiences that empower individuals. Hammock offers a range of IT solutions tailored to address clients' needs effectively. For more information, visit
Hammock's website.