Expanding options from development to product planning
After working in sales at a food and materials manufacturer, I joined Izawa Towel because I wanted to be involved in manufacturing and towels are an everyday item and a familiar product.
At the time, I joined the company as a planning and sales representative, and while I was involved in everything from product planning to manufacturing and delivery, I realized that towels actually have a lot of depth. After gaining experience as a planning and sales representative for about 10 years, I was transferred to the Technology Development Group in 2019. I am now utilizing the consumer needs I grasped in my planning and sales position in development.
As a technology development group, in addition to product development such as hypothesis testing, sample prototyping, and data and structure analysis, we also conduct joint university research with Shinshu University and Fukui University, as well as joint planning and research with raw material manufacturers.We also hold regular study sessions for employees on towels and textiles.
Our technology development group is split across offices in Tokyo and Osaka, but we work closely together. We have labs in both our Tokyo and Osaka headquarters, where we conduct various experiments every day.
Always trying new things
I feel a sense of accomplishment when I complete a prototype that functions as intended, or when I overcome challenges when things don't go as planned.
Izawa Towel has obtained patents for towels. Since joining the company, I have acquired knowledge of intellectual property rights related to such applications. In addition, since our trading factories are located overseas, I have also acquired knowledge of the flow of imports and overseas production, as well as negotiation skills.
Regardless of your field of expertise, we actively communicate and cooperate with each other within the company. Rather than repeating manuals, many people are always challenging themselves with new things, so you can work while feeling a sense of growth.
We want to continue making towels that satisfy customers, always keeping in mind the need to create products from the user's perspective.