#Japan #Tokyo #AI consulting #Leach #Rikiman

Leach Launches AI Consulting Service for Rikiman

Recently, Leach Co., Ltd., a Tokyo-based company specializing in the education, consulting, and development of generative AI technology, initiated an advisory service named "Leach Generative AI Advisor" for Rikiman Co., Ltd., a leading manufacturer of fasteners, located in Kasuya-gun, Fukuoka Prefecture. This strategic collaboration represents a significant step for both companies as they aim to embark on a transformative journey using generative AI.

Background and Challenges

As generative AI technologies such as ChatGPT rapidly evolve, business applications are increasingly being recognized both in Japan and globally. However, many companies grapple with challenges such as uncertainty about where to start, a shortage of specialists, unclear ROI, and security concerns. It has been noted that 91% of Japanese enterprises are considering or advancing generative AI implementations, yet tangible progress has often been thwarted by such obstacles.

Among these businesses, medium and small enterprises particularly face difficulties in information gathering, technology validation, and talent acquisition, which diminishes their potential to benefit from AI innovations.

Even a top-tier fastener manufacturer like Rikiman was facing challenges in accelerating its digital transformation (DX). Many internal processes, including document creation, information sharing, and customer service, relied heavily on manual labor. There was an urgent need to enhance efficiency and address issues like labor shortages and the transfer of technological skills.

In this context, Rikiman decided to partner with Leach to supplement their lack of expertise in generative AI and ensure a smooth implementation of the technology.

Services Offered by Leach

Leach's "Generative AI Advisor" service provides comprehensive support for Rikiman’s adoption of generative AI. The specific assistance includes:

• - Strategy Development: Understanding Rikiman’s operational challenges and objectives to select the appropriate AI technologies and create a detailed implementation roadmap.

• - Use Case Identification and PoC Execution: Identifying and prioritizing business areas with high ROI potential; planning and executing proofs of concept (PoCs) as necessary.

• - AI Solution Development and Implementation: Utilizing cutting-edge generative AI technologies, including OpenAI's ChatGPT, to design and implement custom AI solutions that integrate seamlessly into Rikiman's operations.

• - Operational Structure Establishment: Supporting continuous use of the deployed AI through employee training, operational flow establishment, and security policy creation to ensure effective integration.

• - Performance Measurement and Ongoing Improvement: Monitoring the outcomes post-implementation and providing further enhancement proposals based on KPI achievements, thereby maximizing the benefits of AI utilization and strengthening long-term competitiveness.

By offering thorough, step-by-step support from technology selection to implementation and operation, Leach endeavors to securely and effectively promote Rikiman's use of generative AI. Previously, Leach supported ExaEdge in enhancing AI services, achieving a 30% increase in analytical accuracy, a 2.5 times improvement in processing speed, and a 40% reduction in operating costs; this extensive expertise will also bolster Rikiman's digital transformation efforts.

Expected Benefits and Future Outlook

Through the implementation of this service, Rikiman anticipates numerous benefits, including:

• - Significant Improvement in Operational Efficiency: Automating routine tasks such as document generation and information categorization will likely lead to substantial time savings, fostering increased productivity in daily operations. For instance, the time taken to produce estimates and reports may be cut in half, signalling marked efficiency enhancement.

• - Reduced Employee Burden and Resource Utilization: Diminishing the frequency of monotonous, routine tasks will alleviate both mental and physical strains on employees. Simultaneously, this shift allows for the reallocation of limited human resources to more creative endeavors, thereby facilitating knowledge transfer from seasoned workers to younger employees.

• - Investment in R&D Resources: Time and personnel freed up through efficiency gains can be redirected toward the R&D of new products and enhancement of service quality. As a result, Rikiman can actively work on developing the next generation of "Rikiman Fasteners" and initiate new business ventures, thereby boosting its competitive edge.

• - Accelerating Digital Transformation in Manufacturing: By serving as a pioneering example in traditional manufacturing, Rikiman's initiative has the potential to inspire similarly situated businesses to embark on their own digital journeys. Despite Japan lagging in AI applications among SMEs, Rikiman’s efforts could catalyze a broader wave of DX across the manufacturing sector.

In light of this undertaking with Rikiman, Leach plans to extend generative AI implementation support to various other medium and small enterprises across different sectors and regions. The goal is to channel the surplus time gained through operational efficiency into each company's innovative activities, thereby creating an environment conducive to emerging technologies and aiding Japan in reclaiming its position as a leader in technology innovation.

Comments from Mr. Isoida, Branch Manager of Rikiman Tokyo

"For a small to medium-sized enterprise like ours, generative AI is a powerful tool for enhancing operational efficiency. If AI can significantly ease the burdens of internal document creation, information sharing, and customer inquiries that we have traditionally handled manually, we can redirect our resources towards developing new products and improving service quality. While some may find the notion of a fastener manufacturer engaging in generative AI consulting surprising, we believe it is essential for us to take the lead in riding the digital wave. With the support of Leach, we aim to inject fresh momentum into our long-standing manufacturing practices."

About Rikiman Co., Ltd.

• - Company Name: Rikiman Co., Ltd.
• - Location: 1150-5 Ueki, Suue-machi, Kasuya-gun, Fukuoka Prefecture 811-2112
• - Representative: Motoharu Otsuji, CEO
• - Founded: January 7, 1977
• - Website: rikiman.com
• - Business Scope: Development, manufacturing, and sales of construction-use fasteners "Rikiman Fasteners", leasing/renting/selling of heavy temporary materials and environmental products, etc.

About Leach Co., Ltd.

• - Company Name: Leach Co., Ltd.
• - Location: 9th Floor, Saka no Tsuji Square, 36-4 Shiba, Minato Ward, Tokyo 108-0014
• - Representative: Takuya Tominaga, CEO
• - Founded: November 13, 2024
• - Website: leach.co.jp
• - Business Scope: Education, technical consultation, contracted development, and in-house development and operation of generative AI solutions.

Mission Statement: Takuya Tominaga, the CEO, emphasizes the importance of a challenger mentality, shown through his rapid acquisition of AWS certifications. His mission is to reinvigorate Japan's status as a leader in technology by empowering SMEs through the effective utilization of generative AI for remarkable efficiencies, channeling released time into R&D initiatives fostering a culture of innovation.