FORVAL Partners with Iwagin Research to Boost Local Business Management

FORVAL Partners with Iwagin Research

Overview

In a groundbreaking development, FORVAL, a consulting firm based in Shibuya, Tokyo, has announced a strategic collaboration with its group company, Abeyasu, and Iwagin Research & Consulting (Iwagin R&C) based in Morioka, Iwate. This partnership aims to provide essential management support to regional businesses grappling with the evolving economic landscape. The initiative is built on FORVAL's philosophy of creating a 'new normal' while emphasizing sustainability and ESG management.

Context and Purpose of the Partnership

Today, local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) face significant challenges. The rapid advancement of digital technologies and shifts in market structures have placed them at a critical turning point. To achieve sustainable growth, companies must navigate urgent issues such as digital transformation (DX), business succession, talent acquisition, and funding. Among these, there is a growing need for M&A support, particularly for enterprises struggling with succession and shifting growth strategies.

Recognizing this environment, FORVAL, in conjunction with Abeyasu, sought to partner with Iwagin R&C, which possesses robust local networks and consulting capabilities. This collaboration leverages the expertise of both FORVAL and Abeyasu as 'corporate doctors' and fuses it with Iwagin R&C's regional ties to provide multifaceted support addressing the management challenges faced by local enterprises.

Key Areas of Support

The partnership specifically targets areas such as:

- M&A and business succession
- Talent acquisition
- Grant applications

Through mutual referrals and by offering each company's specialized services, the three organizations aim to bolster the growth and sustainable management of regional enterprises. As these collaborations materialize, the partners hope to contribute significantly to revitalizing the local economy and enhancing corporate value.

Comments from Leadership

Iwagin R&C’s President, Yasushi Sasaki, emphasized the importance of this collaboration, stating that it will enable the combined teams of FORVAL and Abeyasu to propose solutions addressing the digital transformation, business succession, and growth strategy challenges faced by Iwate’s SMEs.

Similarly, Isao Saito, head of FORVAL’s Hokkaido and Tohoku Company, noted that this partnership represents a collective effort to address various management issues affecting small and medium enterprises in Iwate. He expressed a commitment to deepening the collaboration and contributing to the regional community’s sustainable development.

About Iwagin Research & Consulting

- Company Name: Iwagin Research & Consulting Co., Ltd.
- Representative: President Yasushi Sasaki
- Established: April 2020
- Location: 1-2-3 Chuo-dori, Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture
- Website: Iwagin Research

About FORVAL

FORVAL is a consulting group established in 1980 that focuses on making ESG management visible through comprehensive support. Its core business includes consulting services across five key sectors: information and communication, overseas operations, environment, education and talent development, as well as entrepreneurship and business succession. With a designated capital of ¥4.15 billion and a securities code of 8275, FORVAL is aligned with the Japanese government’s four growth drivers—green initiatives, digitalization, revitalizing local areas, and countering declining birth rates. Leveraging partnerships with local governments, private entities, educational institutions, and financial organizations, FORVAL is committed to nurturing DX and GX talent to invigorate local economies and achieve sustainable regional development through its 'F-Japan' initiative.