Iwata Sangyo Revamps Headquarters Office: Creating a Visible Workplace for 'Invisible Work' and Promoting Cross-Department Communication

Iwata Sangyo Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Fukuoka City; President and CEO: Akimasa Iwata) has fully renovated its headquarters office, introducing a free-address open office system used by approximately 100 employees. Under the concept of 'Food Communication,' the company aims to promote cross-departmental interaction, visualize 'invisible work,' and foster an organizational culture where employees naturally support one another.

Overview of the Renovated Headquarters Office

The Purpose of Office Reform: 'Organizational Transformation'

The immediate trigger for this renovation was a shortage of seating due to an increase in new hires. However, during the planning process, it became clear that the challenges were not merely physical. With departments separated into different rooms, employee communication was limited, and psychological barriers hindered consultation and information sharing. As a result, the company completely re-evaluated its approximately 200-ping headquarters office and transformed it into a free-address open office for about 100 employees.

Cafe Space

A Space Designed for 'Food Communication'

The office concept is 'Food Communication.' A circular table is placed at the center, symbolizing the company's core value of 'Wa' (harmony) within the physical space. Additionally, a new cafe space has been established, allowing employees to freely enjoy coffee beans sourced from the company’s own product line. By also making sample products available for free tasting,

natural conversations such as 'This is delicious!' or 'What are the features of this product?' have emerged, leading to improved product knowledge and cross-departmental exchanges.

Employees Interacting in the Cafe Space

Making 'Invisible Work' Visible

The most significant change brought by the office reform is in employee awareness. Tasks that were previously handled mainly by the General Affairs department—such as restocking supplies and organizing shared spaces—were often unnoticed. In the open office environment, these tasks have naturally become visible.

There has been an increase in voices like 'Let me help' or 'I’ll take care of it,' and employees are increasingly developing a sense of ownership, striving to improve their workplace collectively.

The transformation of 'invisible work' into 'visible work' stands as one of the major achievements of this renovation.

Entrance, Meeting Corner, and Relaxation Room

How Communication Transforms the Organization

The shift to an open office has resolved challenges such as 'not knowing if someone is available' or 'feeling hesitant to approach.'

Cross-departmental consultations and casual conversations have become part of daily routines, making inquiries faster and more efficient. Additionally, information that was difficult to convey over the phone can now be discussed face-to-face, contributing to improved operational efficiency.

Future Outlook

The Iwata Sangyo Group values the philosophy of '100 people taking one step forward' over 'one person taking 100 steps.' This office reform is not merely a change in layout but a strategic initiative to deepen human connections and strengthen the organization as a whole.

Moving forward, the company will continue to enhance employee communication, enabling each individual to support one another while further elevating value delivery to customers. 'Revitalizing Kyushu through food!'

Toward this goal, Iwata Sangyo will continue improving the work environment and driving organizational transformation, evolving as a company dedicated to supporting customer prosperity.