Fobel and Kiryu Shinkin Bank Forge Comprehensive Partnership to Support Local Businesses

Fobel, a prominent consulting firm based in Shibuya, Tokyo, has recently entered into a comprehensive collaboration agreement with Kiryu Shinkin Bank, located in Kiryu City, Gunma Prefecture. This initiative aims to address the managerial challenges faced by local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and promote sustainable growth within the region.

The Context and Purpose of the Agreement

In recent years, the business environment affecting SMEs has undergone significant changes. Issues such as labor shortages, succession planning, productivity enhancement, and the push for digital transformation (DX) have become pressing concerns. Additionally, as management challenges continue to diversify and complicate, the importance of supportive assistance for sustainable growth has never been more critical.

Against this backdrop, Fobel and Kiryu Shinkin Bank have formalized a partnership. By leveraging their respective expertise and networks, both entities are committed to tackling the diverse management challenges faced by local businesses. Activities will include organizing seminars, workshops, and training sessions, as well as promoting DX initiatives and fostering collaboration between industry, academia, and finance.

As part of this agreement, business matching contracts will be established, which will enhance the utilization of Fobel’s management support and DX services. This marks the first initiative of its kind with financial institutions in Gunma Prefecture, aimed at improving the profitability of local SMEs and supporting sustainable wage increases. Through these efforts, both organizations strive to enhance the growth of SMEs, increase their corporate value, and contribute to the sustainable development of the local economy.

Contents of the Agreement

Fobel and Kiryu Shinkin Bank will collaborate in the following areas:
1. Hosting seminars and workshops.
2. Initiating regional efforts among industry, academia, and finance.
3. Fostering local talent development.
4. Sharing statistical information.
5. Introducing Kiryu Shinkin Bank’s clients to Fobel.
6. Improving profitability and promoting wage increases for sustainable management in local enterprises.
7. Addressing other challenges that local businesses face.

Comments from Kiryu Shinkin Bank

Mr. Takashi Ubukata, Executive Director of Kiryu Shinkin Bank, expressed his enthusiasm about entering the agreement with Fobel. He stated, “We are genuinely thrilled to embark on this new collaboration with Fobel. Through this partnership, we will leverage Fobel’s advanced management support expertise to address the challenges faced by local companies, promoting their sustainable growth. We are committed to maximizing our regional networks and producing results that meet the expectations of the community.”

Comments from Fobel

Mr. Yoshinori Kobayashi, Executive Officer at Fobel, expressed his honor in partnering with Kiryu Shinkin Bank, which has long contributed to the regional economy. He emphasized, “It is crucial for financial institutions rooted in the community and private enterprises to collaborate and provide support by capitalizing on their strengths. The role of ‘Corporate Doctors’ who can visualize management issues and walk alongside SMEs towards solutions is becoming increasingly essential.”

Through this agreement, Fobel aims to strengthen its collaboration with Kiryu Shinkin Bank, facilitate sustainable profitability, support wage increases, and contribute to the growth of local enterprises as well as the development of the regional economy.

About Fobel

Fobel Inc. (TSE Standard: 8275), founded in 1980, specializes in providing consulting services for small and medium enterprises, focusing on five key areas: information and communication technology, overseas operations, environmental concerns, human resources and education, and entrepreneurship and succession planning. With its unique “Corporate Doctor” model, Fobel delivers comprehensive support from visualizing management issues to proposing improvements and executing strategies. The firm aims to enhance corporate value through high-value added support in ESG management, human capital management, and promoting DX/GX initiatives.
Additionally, Fobel actively promotes the regional co-creation model under its