Alongside a group of new employees, I had the opportunity to visit the “SHOEI Bay Studio,” owned by Shoei Bijutsu Co., Ltd, a company that takes a forward-thinking approach when it comes to sustainable exhibition displays!

Many of SHOEI’s remarkable initiatives were explained, and I’d like to share them with you!

What kind of company is Shoei Bijutsu Co., Ltd.? 

Shoei Bijutsu was founded in 1979, and is celebrating 45 years as a comprehensive display company for exhibitions and events. The company handles around 3,000 projects annually, focusing on exhibitions at venues like Tokyo Big Sight and Makuhari Messe. They handle everything in-house, from planning and design to construction, operation, and removal, all while implementing sustainability in each step.

Visiting SHOEI Bay Studio!

The studio we visited was the “SHOEI Bay Studio,” established in 2019 as a production hub. It boasted a massive 27,000 square meters—that’s roughly the size of five soccer fields! The moment we arrived, all of the new employees were in awe, saying, “Wow! It’s so huge!” 

SHOEI Bay Studio can provide all kinds of services in a one-stop system. Since we toured several areas, I’d like to introduce some of them!

3D printer

The first thing we saw was a 3D printer capable of producing structures up to five meters in height, and three meters wide. That 3D printer was introduced from the perspective of sustainability. 

Now, what exactly made it sustainable? Simply put, it could use waste materials as raw input. By crushing waste into multiple pellets, which were used as the material for 3D printing, SHOEI has created a system that upcycles what would have been discarded. This reduces environmental impact and allows for the free creation of various objects. The possibilities of 3D printing felt limitless!

Independently-modified truck

Next, we saw a truck with sides that opened like wings—it was so tall and cool! Shoei Bijutsu modified that truck to transport completed structures directly to the designated site. Thanks to that modification, they can reduce the time needed for setup at events, which often have tight schedules, and minimize the workforce required for the task. This commitment to efficiency, even down to the trucks, was truly inspiring.

Meticulous adherence to the “5S”

One thing that consistently amazed us during the studio tour was how incredibly clean everything was. Despite the 27,000 square meters of space, filled with machinery, materials, and supplies, there wasn’t a single unnecessary item or piece of trash in sight. When we asked an employee about it, they explained that maintaining a clean and organized environment eliminates waste in work processes and improves productivity, so all employees strictly adhere to the “5S” principles. This is something I want to incorporate into my own daily work!

Even octanorm assembly training!

Lastly, we got to experience assembling Octa panels, which form the skeletons of exhibition booths. These panels are designed for easy assembly and disassembly, which is crucial when setting up booths in a limited timeframe at exhibitions.

While the employees assembled them quickly and effortlessly, we found it much more challenging than expected! After some assistance, we managed to complete the task, but it made me realize how skilled the professionals are. It was a unique and fun experience that we wouldn’t usually have.

My impressions of the visit

Sustainability initiatives 

When we think of sustainability, we often only think about the environment, right? That was certainly the case for me. 

However, seeing Shoei Bijutsu’s initiatives, I realized that they not only focus on reducing waste and environmental impact, but also on optimizing systems to save human resources, time, and costs. Their approach encompasses not just the environment, but also the “human” aspect of sustainability, which was truly inspiring.

By choosing to work with a company like Shoei Bijutsu, even consumers can contribute to sustainability. I feel that their mindset is only continuing to spread outward.

The studio welcomes even elementary-school students for social studies tours, which helps spread knowledge and understanding of sustainability beyond the business world!

In conclusion

Even within our own company, the awareness of SDGs is rising. This visit to Shoei Bijutsu, a company leading the way in sustainable practices, has provided me with a wealth of inspiration and insight. I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone at Shoei Bijutsu for this incredible opportunity!