International Companies Solutions: a business event for Japanese-owned companies

Solutions&co recently organised an event dedicated to Japanese-owned companies based in the Pays de la Loire region (Atlantic France). This meeting is a part of the International Companies Solutions’ initiative which aims to help internationally-owned companies based in Atlantic France to consolidate their presence and boost their development.

What a success it was! 17 local leaders from Japanese-owned companies based in Atlantic France attended the event which was held on September 30th. The objective was to strengthen the ties among these companies, and to share their experiences.

10 companies were represented: Toyota Material Handling France (where the event was hosted at their production site in Ancenis), AMADA Europe, Arrk Shapers, Chaucer Foods, Horoquartz, Kverneland group, NGK Berylco France, Novoferm, NTN Transmissions Europe and SPPP.

Intercultural management and Japan-EU free trade agreement

After a presentation of the different companies and officials (a Pays de la Loire regional councillor and a diplomatic advisor to the head of the Pays de la Loire’ Prefecture), the participants discussed the best practices in intercultural management and communication, with several testimonials.

It was followed by an exchange of experiences on the effects of the JEFTA (Japan-EU Free Trade Agreement) signed in July 2018. The event finished with a closing cocktail reception allowing the participants to have a chat in a more informal environment.

Japan and Atlantic France: a strong partnership in the industrial sector

Atlantic France is home to 1,000 internationally-owned companies, among which 36 Japanese industrial companies are represented, creating 3,300 jobs. This places Japan in the top 10 foreign countries investing in the Pays de la Loire region.

The biggest employers are the automotive specialist NTN Transmissions Europe (700 employees in Allones near Le Mans), Toyota Material Handling Manufacturing France (410 employees in Ancenis) and Sanwa Holdings Corporation (210 employees from 2  companies, Novoferm in Machecoul and Norsud in Bouguenais).