Konel Launches 'Local Factory Studio,' a Design Partner Organization Specializing in Japanese Manufacturing

Konel Launches 'Local Factory Studio,' a Design Partner Organization Specializing in Japanese Manufacturing

In May 2026, Konel, a creative company, launched "Local Factory Studio," a design partner organization specializing in the Japanese manufacturing sector. Leveraging their creative expertise across four locations in Tokyo, Ishikawa, Niigata, and Kyoto, they aim to widely support regional manufacturers—who possess high technological capabilities and quality but often struggle to properly express and evaluate their true value—with branding, creative production, and business development services.

### Background: An Era Where Making Good Products Isn't Enough to Get Selected

Japanese manufacturing has been supported by years of developed technology, expertise polished in the field, and an uncompromising pursuit of quality. However, many companies possess excellent technology and products but struggle to communicate their value, often failing to realize their own potential or receive the recognition they deserve. Konel identifies this structural issue as a fundamental problem facing Japanese manufacturing today.

### About Local Factory Studio

Local Factory Studio is a design partner specializing in the manufacturing industry, born out of Konel, a creative company with four domestic hubs. They act as a partner to think, worry, and create the future together, accompanying their clients throughout the entire process. Regardless of business scale or field, they support the redefinition of value for companies that have polished their technology while rooted in their respective regions through four key approaches:

1. Discover (Digging for Essence): MVV/Purpose formulation, brand concept development, market research, etc. 2. Change (Translating Value): VI production, corporate/recruitment sites, company brochures, brand movies, etc. 3. Strengthen (Linking to Results): Inner branding, recruitment reinforcement, sales support, new business development, etc. 4. Open (Creating Connection with Society): Open factory planning, guide tool production, school collaboration, etc.

### Target Businesses

They act as a partner toward achieving management goals for companies facing transitions such as anniversary projects, generation shifts, business succession, re-branding, recruitment reinforcement, and new business startups.

### Past Achievements

- COPREC (Precision Sheet Metal Processing): Implemented total branding based on the philosophy of "Being Proud of the Factory." - DAIEI (Sheet Metal Manufacturing): Shifted toward leading the industry by questioning old customs. - Chigusa Giken Kogyo (Industrial Machinery/Equipment): Re-branded around their philosophy of "Simple and Safe." - Kuramoto Ice (Ice Manufacturing): Redefined the value of ice based on the concept of "Stirring and Pursuing."

### Comment from the Representative: Mitsuyo Demura

Konel has accumulated projects that discuss society through futuristic prototypes. For us, projects with manufacturers are particularly rewarding. Regional companies have increasing potential, especially compared to large metropolitan companies, due to faster decision-making and strong motivation for change. Let's launch projects that find new value together.

### Participation in Factory Pride Summit 2026

Local Factory Studio will exhibit a booth at "Factory Pride Summit 2026" held on Friday, May 29, 2026, at POTLUCK YAESU (5th floor, Tokyo Midtown Yaesu).