Artisan
Furniture artisan
Takehiro Sato
He joined Okakagu Kohgyo as a furniture deliveryman in April 1988.
He became a furniture artisan in 2009 after working as a deliveryman (while also doing assembly, packaging, door mounting, etc.), and learning to use the sizer (processing machine), drilling machine (dowel hole drilling machine), and the router (larger hole drilling machine). Because he has had learned most of the furniture making processes, he has abundant knowledge about each of the parts of wooden furniture (TV racks and other storage furniture) created by assembling many parts. He is a furniture-making professional whose main concerns are the texture and durability of furniture, always making them from the perspective of the end-user so that they can “use with ease of mind for an extended period.” His gentle manner and passion for work is a model for young workers, creating unity in the workplace.
- What kind of products are you making?
- We create furniture making the most of the texture of natural wood. Our creations center on TV racks and extend to large wall storage units, sideboards, cabinets, showcases, etc.
- How did you come to this occupation?
- I chose this work because I wanted to be involved in manufacturing and be involved until the product is finished. I have always liked making things, and I have made many things. I used to redecorate my room using my creations. Furniture is an element that determines the role in the home, which triggered my interest in furniture making.
- What are you particular about in your work?
- The many different processes in the creation of wooden furniture include wood processing (cutting the wood veneer, plywood, drilling), coating, assembly, finishing and inspection, and packaging. Of course, we’re a furniture factory, and so we have appointed a person in charge of each of the processes. My main concern is to create an environment which is comfortable to work in for all of our staff. It is my job as a factory manager to create an environment where all employees can concentrate on their work as one team to maintain high productivity. Of course, we are particular about the quality, too. For example, we are careful about the details, such as the accuracy of holes for assembly and preventing scars and other imperfections after assembly.
- What is the good thing about your job?
- It’s the joy of starting from scratch and working until the product is complete. Furniture making requires completely new designs and functions to fit the age and trends. Creating products that are best suited to the circumstances, experimenting by trial-and-error with new ideas, and finishing satisfying products is the most rewarding task. We post comments from customers in the factory, and these are also an inspiration to the workers.
- What is your dream?
- Always working with new ideas and aspirations. Age changes, and what is expected also changes. We are conscious of moving with age and making the most innovative proposals. Another dream is to foster young workers who will take on the role of making “next generation Okakagu Kohgyo” and I look forward to seeing them develop.
| Name of company | Okakagu Kohgyo |
|---|---|
| Location | 1535 Mitsumaru, Okawa-shi, Fukuoka, 831-0026 |
| TEL | +81-944-87-1585 |
| HP | https://www.okakagu-spaccio.co.jp/ |
| https://www.kagu-tsuuhan.shop/ |
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