CM Plus Corporation has been awarded the 2014 P&G Best Partnership Award in recognition of our engineering services (EM/CM operations) provided to P&G Japan Corporation.
In this recognition, we had the opportunity to speak with Mr. Keiichi Mito, Site Engineering Leader at P&G Takasaki, responsible for the engineering division, about the background of our service introduction, the reasons for the award, and the effects after the service implementation.
[P&G Best Partnership Award]
This award is presented annually to partner companies that have contributed to P&G’s performance. Previous recipients have included packaging manufacturers, raw material suppliers, sales agencies, advertising firms, and more.
1. Alignment in the Value of “Creating Added Value”
From right to left:
Taichiro Morikawa, Capital Procurement, P&G
Keiichi Mito, Engineering, P&G
Yukiyoshi Ogaki, Plant Manager, Takasaki Plant, P&G
Tsunehiro Togashi, President and CEO, CM Plus
Tetsuo Fujioka, Executive Vice President, CM Plus
The information in the article is current as of the time of publication.
— We are honored to receive the “Best Partnership Award.” It is a great honor to be recognized by the engineering and procurement divisions.
We have built a very good partnership with CM Plus, and I personally have always hoped it would take this form. Given our past achievements and future business plans, I feel that this award comes at the best possible time.
— Despite the short three and a half years of working with us since 2011, could you share the points that earned us this recognition?
Initially, when we were searching for a partner to realize our business vision and plan, we had several criteria for selection. The first criterion was the knowledge of not just construction but also chemical processes, and an understanding of “clean design”—a crucial element for quality (★note below). Moreover, the partner had to possess strong proposal abilities backed by knowledge and experience. Secondly, our basic requirement was for construction management (CM), but we also needed the partner to create added value beyond CM throughout the project.
The decisive points unique to CM Plus are as follows: First, in our philosophy, it’s not just about producing something; it’s about how we can create added value and deliver it to our consumers. When we talked with CM Plus, they shared this perspective deeply, almost as if talking to members within our own company, which is quite rare. We felt strongly that with this shared value, we could elevate our business perspectives and enhance each other’s value. The second point is the exceptional experience and knowledge of all the staff. Many of them have strong expertise in chemical and pharmaceutical fields, which perfectly aligns with our focus on the “clean design” needs that we initially emphasized.
Note: P&G’s design standards to satisfy GMP requirements such as preventing foreign matter contamination, cross-contamination, and pest control.
2. Proposal Capabilities Beyond Expectations, Truly the Best Partner
P&G Japan Corporation
Section Head
Takasaki Site Engineering Leader
Mr. Keiichi Mito
— Could you tell us about the actual results?
There are several key points to this. Firstly, not only did CM Plus address the tasks we requested, but they also engaged in productive discussions throughout the entire process, offering various proposals that exceeded our expectations. This is evident in their approach as well as the abilities of their staff. It’s truly helpful to receive proposals that go beyond what we expected.
Currently, we are working on a project basis, but we are also considering pursuing a more advanced framework. When we discussed a new business model, the conversation went very smoothly. It seemed as if CM Plus had already been considering such a model internally. Specifically, by involving them from the initial planning stage before the actual construction begins, we can foresee some steps in advance. This pre-planning allows us to uncover various side benefits, leading to a more methodical progression and quicker rollout with the contractors. Additionally, multiple concurrent projects can be effectively integrated, enhancing overall efficiency. In such business planning, CM Plus’s proposal capabilities, based on their extensive knowledge and experience, have been very constructive and incredibly helpful.
As a result, we have been able to overcome challenges and achieve success in numerous projects, yielding outcomes beyond our expectations. This award reaffirms that CM Plus is indeed the best partner for both our company and our plant. We are honored to receive this recognition, and we feel that it has come at the perfect time.
3. The Strategy of Open Innovation
P&G Japan Corporation
Takasaki Site – Production Products
Laundry Detergent: Ariel, Bold, Sarasa
Fabric Softener: Lenor, Sarasa
Dishwashing Detergent: Joy
Air Care: Febreze, etc.
— Could you share your thoughts on how P&G, as a leader in open innovation, utilizes external resources?
With technological advances and increasing market demands, our work is becoming increasingly complex every day. Continuing to operate in the same way with the same number of people and the same costs is not sufficient, and service evolution is necessary. In this environment, working with a partner like CM Plus, who shares the same business sense and values, allows us to engage in discussions several steps ahead of the immediate issues, expanding our imagination. This kind of collaboration with such partners is a crucial strategy for our company.
In the execution of projects, various challenges arise. Within our company, the Fabric & Home Care area handled by the Takasaki Plant faces extremely short product cycles and intense competition. Therefore, we believe that it is appropriate to take on a certain level of risk if we can evaluate and prepare for it. Otherwise, even good ideas may be outpaced by other companies. If we wait to have answers at each step, it will be too late. Of course, unexpected situations can arise. How we manage these situations is crucial. With CM Plus, if the construction cannot proceed as planned, they can provide various proposals based on known cases. Having a partner that offers such added value is rare and extremely helpful.
— Thank you very much for the high evaluation. As an organization, we are committed to taking measures and contributing more than ever before. We appreciate your continued support and cooperation.
P&G Japan Corporation Profile
| Established | March 3, 2006 |
|---|---|
| Main Business Content | Sales of laundry, cleaning-related products, paper products, quasi-drugs, cosmetics, foods, pet foods, small home appliances in Japan |
| Main Offices | Sendai, Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka/Kobe, Fukuoka |
| Representative | President and CEO, Shinji Okuyama |
The information in the article is current as of the time of publication.