“Shimajiro is here!” - Reliable distribution efforts are a source of joy

I have been in charge of developing a distribution network for Kodomo Challenge since 2004, when Benesse Corporation China was still laying the groundwork for this business. The most challenging job was that of selecting transport contractors and making sure that they could provide safe and reliable delivery. There are some 5,000 companies in China that are licensed to provide parcel delivery services, but the history of this industry is still brief and there are still wide disparities in the scale and quality of their delivery services. When selecting contractors, it was necessary for us to visit each company individually to discuss our needs, inspect their facilities and ensure that they fully understood the importance of delivering Kodomo Challenge safely, and on time. In China, parcels are normally handled cash on delivery (COD), so the quality and reliability of the delivery company is crucial.

Despite our efforts to select good distributors, we received a large number of complaints in the initial period. In response, we set up a customer service department exclusively to field and process these claims. Since we worked closely with our selected distribution partners, they soon acquired the sense of dedication and importance that Benesse Corporation China places on its products. As a result, our distribution structure grew in concert with the expansion of our business in China. When their delivery trucks pull up to a customer’s house, kids come running to the door shouting “Shimajiro is here!” Like me, the delivery personnel derive a sense of pride from working for a Group that brings smiles to the faces of young children. This is also a strong motivation for me.

We expect to increase the volume and variety of products delivered, in the future, so we are currently addressing such issues as expanding warehouses and increasing the number of distribution centers. We would also like to automate the packaging and sorting processes, which are currently done by hand, to reduce the potential for mistakes. We want to establish a nationwide distribution network that can ensure delivery on a specified date each month, rather than no later than a certain date, as is currently the norm. My ambition is to build one of the best distribution systems in the world, and every day I devote myself to achieving that goal.