Hiroshi Kobayashi acts as Managing Director for SEKISUI Europe B.V. (SEBV) since the beginning of 2018. We met him at his office in Roermond, Netherlands, to talk about his plans, his tasks and the future of SEKISUI’s business in Europe.
SEKISUI Newsroom: Please introduce yourself and give us a short overview of your career at SEKISUI. What will be your position at SEBV?
Hiroshi Kobayashi: My name is Hiroshi Kobayashi and I am the Managing Director of SEKISUI Europe B.V. since the beginning of 2018. I already belong to the SEKISUI family for a long time. For more than 10 years, I have been working for SEKISUI at the legal department and my main responsibility was to set-up contracts.
Now, this is the first time for me to work overseas and I am really excited. Of course, the work in Europe will be different in terms of communication and understanding. But I will take that as a challenge and I am looking forward to learn more about the European culture and how we can benefit from each other. I believe, that I can help to coordinate FUSION between the different companies and help to create great achievements. Moreover, I will support to make SEKISUI known in Europe and to make it a popular brand.
SEKISUI Newsroom: Which challenge are you most looking forward to?
Hiroshi Kobayashi: I really want to achieve an honest partnership with the European Managing Directors and the colleagues of the different companies. We will have regular meetings and we will exchange knowledge. If we help each other, we can succeed in our businesses and we even can even reach higher goals through this cooperation.
SEKISUI Newsroom: How can other European companies benefit from your work?
Hiroshi Kobayashi: The main task of SEKISUI Europe B.V. is to support the European companies by strengthening their base. So, SEBV takes care of anything that might be a disruptive element for a smooth business process. Our aim is to guarantee trouble-free work for every European company.
For example, if a business is bogging down due to limited budget or limited resources, SEBV will be involved and will assume responsibility. The company itself can concentrate back on its main tasks such as sales activities. And in the background, SEBV will solve the issue and will ensure flawless work.
SEKISUI Newsroom: What is your main goal?
Hiroshi Kobayashi: So, my personal goal for the next years is to build-up a strong and collaborative relationship with everyone in Europe – the Managing Directors, executives and all employees of the companies. I want to show, that SEKISUI Europe is supporting each company to achieve even better goals in Europe.
SEKISUI Newsroom: What are the advantages for the European employees?
Hiroshi Kobayashi: When working together, all companies and every single employee can take advantage from the work of SEBV. From non-management-level to management-level.
One of our main objectives is branding, which means making SEKISUI brand more famous in Europe. If SEKISUI is a popular brand, the employees will be proud to work for SEKISUI. This will hopefully increase sales more and more.
At management level, SEBV will help with overall support of indirect operations. Like HR topics, legal matters, accounting or IT. We will also support with budget and resources, what is a great advantage for the companies.
SEKISUI Newsroom: How do you want to create FUSION between the European businesses?
Hiroshi Kobayashi: Finally, my intention is to create FUSION between the European companies. The businesses all over Europe belong together. SEBV will be like the center of thoughts for every business and every company.
I will start with listening to each company carefully. And then I will share information and solutions within Europe. We can all learn from each other. When there is a connection point like SEKISUI Europe B.V., that will help to avoid difficulties.
SEKISUI Newsroom: How does the unity of European companies affect SEKISUI globally?
Hiroshi Kobayashi: The unity of the European companies will have a great effect on the global image of SEKISUI. For us, diversity management is very important. And compared to other regional headquarters in the US or in China, the European business area is a wide field of diversity.
If I can help to unite the European companies and create FUSION among them, Europe will be the prime example for diversity management. As a result, SEKISUI will be literally a great global company.
SEKISUI Newsroom: Thank you very much!
