PERSON
Takuya Sonoda
Production Department, Leader Joined the company in 2018
Hailing from Niigata Prefecture, Sonoda joined Senkosha after working in the construction and civil engineering field. He is admired by junior staff for his ambition and his caring personality.
I have worked on several interior construction projects for high-profile brand shops recently in the spotlight. These projects provided valuable experience—enriching people’s lives and creating inspiring moments—that would be hard to find anywhere else but at Senkosha.
Recently, we undertook the interior construction of a renowned brand’s store in Ginza, Tokyo. The project involved shaving wood into the thinnest possible sheets and weaving them together like a bamboo craftwork, requiring delicate skills more often associated with artistic craftsmanship. Although we encountered numerous challenges rarely seen in typical fixture production, we successfully completed the work with the help of our painting and installation staff.
Sometimes, customers hand us technically demanding blueprints that initially leave us at a loss. However, when we overcome the challenges by applying our creativity and imagination, the sense of satisfaction is truly indescribable. What’s more, every new project is custom-made, constantly keeping us fresh and inspired.
*fixture: furniture and equipment used for displaying and selling merchandise in a shop
After becoming a leader, I took on responsibility not only for production work but also for training new employees and junior staff. On-the-job training for new employees includes teaching basic finishing skills, such as sanding and applying decorative materials to surfaces. I also provide instructions on finer details, including the correct angle of the cutter blade, hand positioning, appropriate pressure, proper posture, and line of sight. In addition, I teach the rules for maintaining a tidy and organized workplace, while instilling the company’s manufacturing mindset.
New employees often become nervous due fear of failure, which can lead to poor finishing. I understand how they feel, because I have been there myself. Therefore, I respect each person’s pace and encourage them to take the time they need to develop skills. No matter how busy I am, I make a conscious effort to create an atmosphere where they feel comfortable asking questions at any time.
Since I began focusing on human resource development alongside the plant manager, I have found great joy in being asked for advice or sharing my knowledge. I feel fulfilled when others count on me, and I am motivated by seeing junior staff grow. My goal is to increase the number of team members who can make independent decisions and confidently move forward with what they believe is best for their work.
At our company, each worker takes part in the entire process—from planning production methods based on blueprints to processing parts, assembling, and finishing. This brings a strong sense of achievement when a fixture is completed. Even those who are not initially skilled with their hands can learn to build simple items within about a year of consistent practice. I’m also here to support those who never give up. If you are passionate about craftsmanship, we would be happy to have you on our team.
In my personal life, I had my own house built a few years ago. During the time, I borrowed equipment from our plant to make furniture, such as a TV board. Each piece fits the room dimensions perfectly, and I feel a deep sense of satisfaction every time I see the pieces I created.
After work, I enjoy spending quality time with my family. When my wife works on weekends, I take care of our child.
