[Circular Economy Project Dialogue Vol. 1] The First Step Toward a Circular Society. ASNOVA’s Vision for a Sustainable Growth Curve
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BUSINESS
Supporting creators' activities with scaffolding. New possibilities for "manufacturing x scaffolding"
On September 2, 2023, the "KNOWLEDGE CAPITAL OPEN FACTORY" was held at the Knowledge Plaza on the 1st floor of the North Building of Grand Front Osaka, with approximately 60 participants, including companies and creative units from all over Japan involved in manufacturing. The event allowed people to feel the values and thoughts of each product, and many people visited the venue. At this event, ASNOVA set up scaffolding. At ASNOVA, we have always thought about the "possibility of scaffolding," but what discoveries and realizations did they make at this event? We spoke to Mr. Akira Morishita and Hirotsugu Uchida.
Text: Sayaka Mitsuda
Photo: Sho Kobayashi
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PROIFILE
- Akira Morishita
- He is a Director, General Manager, Scaffolding Business Unit at ASNOVA Co.,Ltd. He joined ASNOVA Inc. in 2017 and is involved in the entire Scaffolding Rental Business as general manager of scaffolding business unit.
- Hirotsugu Uchida
- Area Manager in Equipment Management Department. Joined ASNOVA in 2013. Worked in sales and center operations at the Yatomi Center in Aichi Prefecture, and has been in his current position since 2021.
In response to the positive response from the previous event, we are trying to create a new space
First of all, how did you decide on this event?
Morishita: In June 2023, the event "Knowledge Capital Latest Report" hosted by Knowledge Capital was held at the same location, and as one of the events, we worked with the creative unit Iwasawa Brothers to create an "Unwanted Items Logistics Center" using scaffolding.
This incident led to us being asked if we could use scaffolding for the main fixtures to be used at the upcoming "KNOWLEDGE CAPITAL OPEN FACTORY."
I myself also wanted to provide a venue where more people could gather on a larger scale than last time, so I replied that I would definitely like to do it.
What aspects of ASNOVA do you think people appreciated?
Morishita: I think it was the fact that we proposed the "fun of temporary structures." I think that at the last event, people were able to feel the appeal of scaffolding, thinking, "I can do this with scaffolding." Last time, we deliberately provided second-hand items because the theme was "recycling of goods," but this time, just like last time, we received an order for "second-hand items, not new items." They said, "The fixtures have paint and coating here and there, so you can feel the goodness that they have been made by human hands," and I was reminded of how people could feel that way.
Uchida: At a normal event, appearance is important, so we bring new products. I was a little worried at first, but I was happy that people found value in our used scaffolding.
Mr. Morishita mainly handled the communication with the other party, and I was involved in the assembly as the site supervisor. Mr. Morishita also has on-site experience, and we were able to work together smoothly, so we were able to create this place with peace of mind.
Is there anything you pay particular attention to when setting up scaffolding?
Uchida: We tried to make sure scaffolding was not too conspicuous so that the exhibitors' products could stand out. Also, due to the nature of the products, some businesses had individual requests such as "Please place the step board in this position" or "We want to hang the exhibit from above, so please move the position of this handrail", so we responded to those requests.
We adapted to the creators, and conversely, the creators adapted their exhibits to our scaffolding. I think we were able to feel the "flexibility of scaffolding" on both sides.
Morishita: Setting up scaffolding at an event requires punctuality, so it was also a race against time. This time, we started setting it up at 12:30 at night on the day, and finished at 5:00 in the morning. Even if you think it looks perfect on the drawing, you might find out that it would be better to shift it a few centimeters in reality, and that's something you only find out when you get to the site, so I'd like to gain more experience.
Actively holding spontaneous events and collaborating with other industries
What do you think is necessary to expand the "possibility of scaffolding" in the future?
Morishita: I think it's important not only to communicate what you're actually doing, but also to interact directly with people from other industries through encounters at events. I had a chance to talk a little with the exhibitors earlier, and I'd like to gather more information offline like this and explore the possibilities while getting their advice.
Uchida: I think it would be good if we were the ones to take the initiative in carrying out the event. Rather than using scaffolding as scaffolding, we wanted people to enjoy it as a space. For example, it would be good to come up with an "interesting idea" first, and then think about how to incorporate scaffolding into it.
Please tell us about your future plans.
Morishita: The "scaffolding rental" we do is, so to speak, "reuse." In addition, it would be nice if we could "reuse" scaffolding that would otherwise be discarded. Even equipment that does not meet the standards of a construction site may be able to be used in a different way. By "upcycling" it into something, we hope to increase the opportunities for more people to see scaffolding.
Uchida: I think there is potential in collaboration with the agricultural industry. scaffolding can be freely adjusted in height and is durable. I wonder if we can use these features to help farmers. I think scaffolding has possibilities that we can't even imagine, so I would like to continue to work proactively to find new approaches in the future.
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