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Kumai Co., Ltd.
As of February 13, 2026
Talent and Motivation Over Nationality: How Digital Transformation(DX) is Reinventing Manufacturing
Executive Director of Kumai Co., Ltd.
Mr. Ryosuke Kumai
【Profile】
Assumed the position of Executive Director upon the establishment of Kumai Co., Ltd. in 2022. He oversees the entire process of designing, manufacturing, and installing coating equipment. By integrating digital tools with multinational workforce, he is building a standardized operation that does not rely on personal intuition or the “hidden knowledge” of senior technicians. His hobbies include mountain climbing and cycling.-
Background and Key Considerations in Hiring International Employees
Building a Role-Focused Team Driven by a Spirit of Challenge
Kumai Co., Ltd. launched in 2022 as a specialist in coating equipment, managing everything from design to on-site installation.
I originally planned to study abroad, but the pandemic of COIVID-19 changed my path. I joined the family business and was immediately captivated by the energy of the manufacturing floor. At the age of 24 , I decided to start my own business to solve long-standing industry challenges through my own efforts.
Operating at the intersection of manufacturing and construction often leads to fragmented workflows and communication breakdown. To overcome these industry-specific issues, Kumai recognized the value of fresh perspectives brought by a multinational team.
In recruitment, I prioritize technical skills and ambition over Japanese language proficiency. During interviews, the Vietnamese plant manager conducts technical assessments in his native language and evaluates each candidate’s capabilities through their portfolio.
By focusing on clearly defined roles rather than Japanese language proficiency, we naturally built a strong, diverse team where nationality simply doesn’t matter.
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Support System and Workplace Success
Breaking Down Silos with 3D Data and Smart Processes
The technical expertise of the foreign engineers exceeded all expectations. To make the most of their skills, we shifted our design workflow from 2D to 3D CAD. This turned tacit knowledge—held only by experienced veterans—into visible and shareable data.
The results were striking:
Overtime in the design department dropped by 80%, from 74 hours per month to just 8 hours.
This change wasn’t just about efficiency. It came from building a system where information flows smoothly from design to installation.
DX also played a major role in eliminating language barriers. With multilingual apps and cloud-based task management tools, all team members can see drawings, tasks, and progress in real time.
Instead of explaining everything in Japanese, we created an environment where everyone works from the same data. This drastically reduced communication errors and rework.
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Driving Change from the Ground Up
Redesigning Workflows Without the Need for Programmers
The company’s DX efforts didn’t rely on large investments or specialized engineers. Instead, we combined readily available tools—such as Google Workspace and Jooto—to address everyday challenges on the shop floor.
One major initiative has been the digital sharing of worksite conditions. By allowing the team to understand on-site details remotely, the quality and speed of decision-making improved significantly.
“The goal isn’t digitalization itself—it’s organizing the entire workflow,” Kumai explains.
The goal is to organize the entire workflow, and not the digitalization itself.
The company’s role is to create an environment where people can act independently. This allows our engineers to engage in everything from design to installation, bringing new energy across the organization.
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Impact on the Company and Future Outlook
Aiming for Synergy between Manufacturing and Digital Technology
The success of international engineers has positively influenced Japanese employees as well, creating healthy motivation for growth. This summer, the entire team—including international engineers—climbed Mt. Fuji together. The challenging experience fostered a deeper sense of unity that transcended language.
Looking ahead, we aim to integrate its core manufacturing business with its newly established XR Division. By expanding into point-cloud modeling and VR development, we want to build a framework capable of creating value beyond physical products.
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Message to Companies Considering Hiring International Employees
Motivation Changes Systems — and Systems Make Companies Stronger
“If someone is talented and motivated, nationality does not matter.”
By adhering to this principle, Kumai Co., Ltd. has achieved both work-style improvement and technological innovation. Many small and mid-sized manufacturers face labor shortages and increasingly complex operations, but Kumai emphasizes that their approach is not “special.”
“We simply reorganized our workflows and ensured that everyone has access to the same information. I personally use AI as a sounding board every day. If you take the first step without fearing change, you will undoubtedly create new value.”
【Company Profile】
- Company Name
- Kumai Co., Ltd.
- Address
- 3-4-19 Yoshioka Higashi, Ayase City, Kanagawa Prefecture
- Founded
- 2022
- Business
- Manufacture and installation of coating plant equipment; large-scale metal fabrication, sheet metal work; XR/VX business.
- Number of Employees
- 15
- Number of International Employees
- 9Vietnamese
- Company URL
- https://kuma-i.co.jp/
As of February 13, 2026
