Germanese Spirit
"In Germany I love to eat Baumkuchen", laughs Mr. Shimizu from the traditional and successful trading company of the same name in Japan, one of our longest-standing customers – for almost 40 years by now.
We had a very warm and sincere interview via video call from Tokyo to Pfaffenhofen in Bavaria.
Mr. Shimizu, what do you appreciate about your German business partners?
The ‚German spirit:’ The reliability. The accuracy. The high level of technical understanding. The most important thing for me is good communication, and that we make each other happy.
What makes you the happiest about it?
That we can create so many things together with MAWA - we‘ve already developed a lot of new ideas, tested them, built prototypes. We are currently running a campaign with a Japanese influencer about clothing tips: together with her and MAWA, we developed the ‘Styling hanger’.
How important are your employees to you?
I‘m committed to my employees and want them to do well. I only took over the company from my brother-in-law, who was second president, three years ago - many employees have been there much longer than I have. We always wanted to make a small but positive contribution to society.
How important is ecology to you?
Very important! And that's what I like about the Germans: that they don't engage in greenwashing, but are really committed to the environment.
Your personal favorite hangers at MAWA?
The thinnest MAWA hanger – Silhouette light – and the Bodyform with the shoulder extension. That's how our business relationship began: My father-in-law saw a MAWA hanger and liked it so much that he called Germany directly to ask if we could buy it.
Do you drive a German or a Japanese car?
A Japanese one, of course (laughs). A Mitsubishi. But I've always dreamed of German cars.
And how do you like German beer?
Oh, I just drink a little of it and I can't walk straight any more …(laughs even more)
How nice that great business people can also be great people. And are therefore successful in the long term. Obviously there are many similarities between the ‘German’ and the ‘Japanese’ spirit.