In this interview, we speak with Mr. Katsuki, the General Manager of the Sales Department, who has been at the forefront of sales for over 25 years since joining the company. We discussed everything from his career beginnings and sales philosophy to his personal activities outside of work.

—Could you tell us about how you first joined the company?

After graduating from a local high school, I had already decided to start working right away. I wasn’t much for studying, so I wanted to get out into the real world and gain some experience. I found out about the opening at Okudaya Giken through a senior at my high school and applied. To be honest, I joined the company without really knowing what they did at the time.

—What kind of roles did you experience after joining the company?

Initially, I was supposed to be assigned to the manufacturing department, but I actually ended up in the operations department. I spent five years there handling tasks like data entry, packing, and shipping parts. Then, the Sales Manager at the time (who is now our corporate advisor) reached out to me about moving to the sales department. I wasn’t very good at talking to people, but when he said, “Why not give sales a try at least once?” I decided to take on the challenge.

—What has been your motivation throughout your career in sales?

“It comes from the joy of valuing every ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ encounter and steadily building a foundation of trust. Rather than simply chasing high sales figures, I have always prioritized the number of units sold—in other words, the tangible sense of how many individual customers chose to put their trust in me. Much like my hobby of DIY, I focus on the task at hand, working steadily to ensure even the smallest orders are completed with care. These small steps have built long-lasting relationships with my customers, and before I knew it, I’ve been able to maintain my passion for this work to this very day.”

—What do you value most in your sales activities?

First and foremost, it’s about building relationships. I build trust by visiting customers through our distributors and getting involved—sometimes I’d even grab a spare seat to work from their office or help them out with their tasks. I’ve also made a conscious effort to deepen our connections outside of work, whether it’s going out for drinks, snowboarding, or having barbecues. I believe this steady accumulation of shared experiences is what leads to long-term partnerships.

—How do you feel about the appeal of your products?

Our products are centered around the concept of “being kind to the human body.” In addition to our standard models, we provide custom-made products known as “dedicated machines” to meet our customers’ specific needs and challenges. Our strength lies in focusing on solving the customer’s problems rather than just competing with others in the industry. Since our products are often used for 10 to 15 years, it makes me incredibly happy to receive a repeat order after such a long time.

—As a department manager, what do you keep in mind in your current role?

My focus is on developing our younger employees. When I first moved into sales, I had my own share of anxieties, but I was able to grow through experience and the support of those around me. That’s why I want our younger staff to take on challenges without being afraid of failure. I try to teach them that the essence of sales lies in listening to the customer and building a relationship of trust.

—How do you like to spend your personal time?

I played basketball back in my school days. Since starting my professional career, I’ve kept up with weight training at the gym, and now running is my main hobby. My personal best in the marathon is actually in the 2-hour-40-minute range. In the winter, I join a local running group and run with about 20 people. The members are so incredible that I’m actually one of the slower ones! (laughs). Running helps me stay balanced both mentally and physically. I also love DIY; I simply enjoy working with my hands and tools, and I feel that it shares a common thread with my work in the manufacturing industry.

Click here to watch the video of Mr. Katsuki talking about his work and personal hobbies.→　https://connect.opk.co.jp/movie/page/6/

—Finally, could you share your goals for the future?

While continuing to stand at the forefront of sales, I want to support the growth of our younger employees. I consider it my personal mission to consistently provide products and services that our customers can trust.

In his younger days, Mr. Katsuki was shy and felt anxious about working in sales. However, by building trust with each and every customer, he grew into a highly respected sales leader. His authentic personality and sincere approach embody the very values that Okudaya Giken has always cherished: “Standing by people to build trust.”

Written by:
Takeru Katsuki
General Manager, Sales Department
Okudaya Giken Co., Ltd.
(Building trust by staying true to ourselves.)