TOPPAN Packaging Platform—A Framework for Intra-Group Collaboration to Accelerate the Sustainable Packaging Business (June 2023)

In June 2023, TOPPAN Inc.’s Global Packaging division took the lead in launching the TOPPAN Packaging Platform (TPP). We are leveraging the synergies generated by collaboration between the various Group companies that drive the packaging business to strengthen global marketing activities across the TOPPAN Group.

About the TPP

The TPP is a global body formed to strengthen and expand TOPPAN’s packaging business, drive revenue growth, and achieve the targets of the Medium Term Plan. The Global Packaging division’s Business Development Department led the call to form a group that now comprises more than 15 representatives of the division and 10 overseas Group companies. In addition to sharing information and discussing challenges at the quarterly General Meeting and the five-person Monthly Strategy Meeting, the initiative is being advanced as a collaborative project to win new orders. Efforts include partnering on client visits, proposals, and participation in trade fairs and expos.

Background to the launch of the TPP

In its Medium Term Plan, the TOPPAN Group has identified sustainable transformation (SX) in Japan and the Living & Industry segment overseas as growth businesses. We are expanding globally and driving higher value-added by shifting to sustainable packaging, which we refer to as SX packaging. Challenges include establishing networks facilitating local production for local consumption and expanding capacity at each of our locations. To address these challenges, we are proactively undertaking M&A in growth fields as well as aiming to expand production capacity at existing bases and strengthen collaboration between regions.

The packaging market is seeing notable growth in SX packaging demand on the back of robust global expansion and increasing needs for eco-friendly solutions in Europe. TOPPAN is aiming to grow its business by harnessing the synergies of the Group to meet that demand.

Structure and Activities of the TPP

Structure
Project owner: Shinichi Kukita, Senior General Manager (Business Development, Global Packaging)
Facilitator: Atsushi Yoshida (Business Development, Global Packaging)

Challenges
・Accelerate proposals to global brand owners
・Maximize synergies in the Group
・Strengthen TOPPAN’s branding

Main Activities
・Convening Monthly Strategy Meetings and General Meetings to share information (clients, markets, capabilities)
・Joint client visits and participation in trade shows/expos to understand needs
・Driving inter-regional collaboration to develop and propose solutions that address clients’ needs

Efforts and Achievements So Far

・Selecting priority clients based on understanding respective capabilities within the Group and making strategic approaches to launch large-scale projects with leading brand owners (ongoing efforts by taskforce)
・Proposing one-stop solutions to brand owners through joint participation in international trade shows/expos
・Leveraging intra-Group personal networks developed through TPP activities to launch regional collaboration workshops. Making strategic approaches to brand owners in each region.

Q1. What was the process and thinking behind the establishment of the TPP?

I transferred to the Global Packaging division in April 2023. Prompted by discussions with colleagues, I started to think about what I could do for TOPPAN, considering it has so many companies overseas. After our senior GM, Kukita-san, told me about a concept for global collaboration across the Group, we started to take concrete action. I remember how what we needed to do became clear intuitively. Based on my previous experience, I saw that if Group companies worked together to exploit their strengths and complement each other, we would be able to strengthen our marketing activities.

I discussed things with my colleagues based on this hypothesis, and we divided ourselves into small teams and started to share the concept with key people at our companies overseas. We gradually expanded the dialogue and in the process of discussing it, we agreed to just go ahead and try it. Thanks to everyone’s help, everything leading up to the launch progressed smoothly. I had experience of collaborating within Asia in a previous role, but this is the first time I have managed something spanning the globe, so I have to work hard to keep on top of things while trying to remember what I learned during my training for global business. I have not actually met some of the team in person, so I want to be proactive in communicating via online meetings.