SUPPLIERS ARE AS MUCH OUR VENDORS AS OUR PARTNERS - A FIRST-HAND EXPERIENCE FROM TOKYO

In almost two decades since I have been in marketing production, I have worked with countless suppliers. To me, they are much more than just vendors. Many have, over the years, become reliable business partners and even personal friends. Thanks to the kind arrangement of Tai Tak Takeo, in October, a few of us from Icicle had the fortune to be invited by Tokushu Tokai Paper to visit their paper mill on the outskirt of Tokyo. Luckier still, we were told we were their first group of guests they have received from Hong Kong creative production industry.

Tokushu Tokai is one of the best-known fancy paper makers in the world. For years, it has been supplying to some of our top-end printing projects. On arrival at the Tokushu plant near Mount Fuji, one is struck by its scale, cleanliness and organisation. One step at a time, we watched paper pulp being turned into top quality paper made for luxury packaging, books and paperbags. It was truly a gratifying experience.

I am immensely grateful to Tai Tak Takeo Hong Kong and Tokyo team and Tokushu Tokai in Japan for sharing with us their technologies and expertise, and for deepening my domain knowledge. I was deeply moved not just by the spectacles of paper-making , but also by the trustful partnership we have built with our partners that has enabled us to excel in our own work of advising leading brands in marketing production.

Knowledge-sharing is what gets me excited about my work still, after 20+ years!

Visit our Facebook album to learn more about our trip.

About the author

Josephine Cheung is the Senior Partner of Icicle Group