At LIXIL, young employees are encouraged and supported to take on major responsibilities across the company. One example is Saki Nishioka, now in her fourth year with the company, who successfully led a major project to unitize kitchen countertops while reporting directly to the plant manager. For Saki, the company’s culture—one that prioritizes challenges and ease of working—has enabled her to enjoy her work while developing her skills and autonomy.
I belong to the Strategy and Planning Team at the LIXIL Fukaya plant, reporting directly to the plant manager. Our team sets the direction for tackling priority issues and shaping mid-term strategy. Right now, I work closely with development, manufacturing, and other departments to create kitchen products that deliver greater value to our customers.
What I appreciate about LIXIL is its culture of empowerment. Regardless of age, we are entrusted with significant projects that push us to grow. Taking on work with real responsibility has helped me develop independence and the ability to think proactively.
What motivated you to join LIXIL, and what are you doing now?
I had always been interested in the housing industry, so that’s where I focused my job search after university. When I visited one of our showrooms, I was struck by how LIXIL products were designed with the end user in mind. That experience made me want to be part of creating such products, which is why I decided to join.
Today, I feel that I am exactly where I hoped to be. Our Strategic Planning Team plays a central role in tackling plant-wide challenges. My work includes VA (Value Analysis) and VE (Value Engineering) activities, such as modifying kitchen designs and materials to reduce costs, collaborating with the sales team to expand kitchen sales, and shaping mid-term strategies for the plant.
Kitchens have held my fascination for a long time now, and I often think about how to improve usability from the end-user’s perspective. Since I enjoy cooking, I find it rewarding to bring that personal passion into my work.
In my role in kitchenware strategic planning, collaboration with the development and manufacturing teams is essential. If we only focus on cost reduction, we risk compromising product appeal for customers or lowering efficiency for manufacturing teams. That's why we bring in the manufacturing team from the planning stage to get their feedback on production efficiency and other operational matters.
Throughout the process, I keep LIXIL’s Purpose front of mind: how do we reduce costs while maintaining customer value? This means frequent meetings with development, procurement, and other departments to gather diverse perspectives. Of course, not every idea works out. Progress often involves trial and error, but when an idea becomes a real product or a cost-saving measure shows clear results, I feel a strong sense of achievement.
In my second year, I was entrusted with the launch of the unitization process for kitchen countertops. At the time, ceramic countertops required contractors to manually attach reinforcement boards on-site. Our project sought to incorporate this step into the factory production process. This was a challenge that had no precedent at LIXIL or for our contractors.
It was unfamiliar territory, with numerous obstacles, but by seeking advice from colleagues at other plants and from development teams, we kept testing solutions. Ultimately, we reduced adhesive curing time by about 85 percent, significantly boosting productivity and reducing labor needs.
To achieve this, we repeatedly built more than 300 prototypes using scrap materials and offcuts, testing and refining each iteration. From this experience, I learned the value of seeking advice rather than working in isolation, and of persevering through cycles of experimenting and learning.
The plant is beautifully maintained, and we've fully embraced flexible work arrangements like remote and hybrid models. My image of “factory work” changed completely once I joined LIXIL, and I feel it’s an environment where I can truly be myself.
The Fukaya plant also has 24 Diversity & Inclusion Ambassadors representing different divisions. They gather employee feedback on workplace improvements and organize events like distributing shaved ice in the cafeteria in summer, all in an effort to foster more communication and build a more inclusive environment.
Additionally, as we have technical trainees from other countries, such as Vietnam, various types of communication within the plant are conducted not only in Japanese but also in other languages. For example, we now have greetings and signage in Vietnamese, which has helped strengthen connections across the workforce.
What message would you share with those considering a career at LIXIL?
LIXIL treats every employee as an equal, regardless of their age. In meetings, the opinions of young employees are heard and fully incorporated. When I consult with my manager about business goals, they always encourage and support my own ideas, pushing me forward. This environment fosters independent thinking and decision-making, making the work fulfilling.
Within my team, I can easily consult my supervisors and senior colleagues, so I never have to face challenges alone. At the same time, young employees are trusted with major responsibilities, so you’re constantly developing your own judgment and skills.
Furthermore, flexible working styles, including remote work and flextime, mean I don’t have to sacrifice personal life or hobbies. Being given important work regardless of my age, while also being encouraged to maintain a healthy work-life balance, is a major advantage for me to grow and contribute as a member of this company.
LIXIL truly is, in my view, a home for everyone; a place where each of us can work in our own way while continuing to grow.
(As of February 2025)