#Japan #construction #Sapporo #Hokkaido #Sekisui Heim

Establishing Sustainable Construction Practices in Hokkaido

In a significant move for the construction industry, Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd.'s Housing Company, led by President Masahide Yoshida, is set to establish Hokkaido Sekisui Heim Construction Company on July 1, 2026. This initiative is aimed at addressing the severe shortage of skilled labor in the construction sector, which has become increasingly urgent due to a decline in the working-age population and the looming '2024 problem'. The new construction platform will consolidate the construction and management expertise that has previously been spread across three different companies operating in the Hokkaido region: Hokkaido Sekisui Heim, Hokkaido Sekisui Famies, and Architect Planning Inc.

Context for the Establishment of a New Company

The construction industry in Japan is facing critical issues due to a shortage of skilled labor, exacerbated by demographic declines. Over the years, Sekisui Chemical's initiatives in Hokkaido have included providing quality homes, such as the steel frame unit homes branded as 'Sekisui Heim', and facilitating renovation projects through Hokkaido Sekisui Famies. To respond more effectively to diverse client needs, they integrated Architect Planning Inc., a company specializing in wooden houses, into the group in January 2026, aiming for synergy in operations.

The establishment of Hokkaido Sekisui Heim Construction will unify the dispersed construction management functions of these three companies. By collaborating with a network of construction cooperation companies and integrating its operations with the general renovation company, Clearest Inc., which joined the group in November 2024, the new company aims to enhance the construction framework holistically.

By securing a sustainable construction system through this new establishment, the company plans to contribute significantly to resolving the labor shortages in the Hokkaido construction sector and improving productivity.

Three Goals of the New Company

1. Ensuring Stable Construction Opportunities for Partner Companies
- By merging the networks of construction cooperation companies established by each of the three principal organizations, an efficient construction system will be created. This integrated management of new housing constructions and renovation works aims to stabilize the volume of work throughout the year, alleviating fluctuations during busy and slow periods. Consequently, construction partners will benefit from consistent work opportunities, fostering an environment where they can continue their careers securely.

2. Enhancing Construction Quality and Promoting Multi-skilled Workers
- By consolidating engineering and construction management personnel from within the group, the sharing of construction know-how and improvement of technical skills will be promoted. Furthermore, the training of engineers capable of executing both steel frame unit and wooden frame constructions will be aggressively fostered to build a flexible construction system that can adapt to various methods and client requirements.

3. Future Goals: Expansion through External Construction Contracts and Community Contribution
- Looking ahead, the new company intends to leverage its accumulated construction capabilities and management functions to accept external construction contracts, thus playing a pivotal role in supporting the housing development sector in Hokkaido.

Future Plans

Once established, the company will promptly begin the procedure for obtaining specific construction industry licenses, with a full-scale operation expected to start in April 2027. Through a robust construction framework in the Hokkaido area, it will dedicate itself to providing enhanced value to its customers.

New Company Overview

• - Name: Hokkaido Sekisui Heim Construction Company
• - Location: 2-1, Kita 14 Jo Nishi 4-chome, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido
• - CEO: Tetsuya Souma
• - Establishment Date: July 1, 2026
• - Capital: 800 million yen
• - Business Activities: Construction of buildings and renovations, management, and supervision services.
• - Shareholder Structure: 100% owned by Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd.
• - Projected Employees: Approximately 60

This establishment marks an essential step towards addressing labor challenges and enhancing construction quality and reliability for Hokkaido's residents.