Yasuhiro Iguchi Born in 1982, CEO of Maruman. Joined Keyence in 2005 after graduating from the Department of Economics, School of Political Science and Economics, Waseda University. For five years, I was thoroughly trained in the basics of working as a member of society before joining Maruman. Appointed President and Representative Director in November 2008.
I wouldn't call it a long-selling product for 10 years. I believe that our company's value lies in the fact that we have continued to create products that our customers have loved for a long time." President Yasuhiro Iguchi of art supplies and stationery maker "Maruman" (Nakano-ku, Tokyo) smiled. After all, the "Design Sketchbook", which can be said to be a signboard product, was released in 1958. It has been supported by customers for over 60 years. There must be quite a few people who remember using the “design sketchbook,” which has a large checkered pattern in yellow and dark green on the cover. "I think 60% to 70% of all products have been on the market for 10 years or more," he says. "Loose-leaf mini" was mentioned as a recent hit product. Since it was released in 2012, it is a "new product" category in Maruman's product line. In the stationery industry, where popular characters are often used on the cover, and the contents are the same but the cover design is often changed, Maruman's line is in contrast.
Various notebooks developed by Maruman. If you look closely, you will notice that this was also made by Maruman
However, a long-selling product is not something that can be made with the intention of making it. It becomes a long-selling product only when customers continue to buy it without getting bored and it continues to be supported. Why have many of Maruman's products grown to become long-selling products? “We are a company that is loyal to the basics of having people recognize the value of our products and buy them,” says Mr. Iguchi. "Manufacturing is about quality, so we never cut corners when it comes to quality. We work hard and earnestly. We've been doing this for a long time." I have been particular about We had considered manufacturing in China, where the cost is low, but gave up because we could not maintain the quality. In order to protect the quality of the product, he felt that Japanese delicacy was necessary above all. Most of Maruman's products are domestically manufactured in-house, with the exception of imported high-end art supplies. Naturally, it is a competition for quality and does not enter into price competition. The price of Maruman's products is a little high, but there are quite a few users who continue to use them if they like them. I have been using the same type of B5 size notebook for research memos for more than 10 years since I became independent, and I once again realized that it was a Maruman product called "Septokurur". “When drawing with a pen, many people praise the pen for its ease of writing, but the quality of the paper makes a huge difference in how comfortable it is to write.” The paper used by Maruman is made exclusively for the company with the cooperation of a paper manufacturing company. We also pay close attention to the quality of the paper. Continuing the same production method does not mean that the quality will be maintained and the customer's support will continue. Technological advances by paper companies can also change the way paper is made. Even if the quality is subtly "evolved" according to the times, it is not changed dramatically.