Vol.15

Fair relationship with workers

The inspection section, the last keeper of IKEUCHI ORGANIC quality, is staffed by nearly 20 people. Although many of them are part-timers (hereinafter referred to as "part-timers") due to family care or other reasons, some of them are promoted to permanent employees (so-called regular employees) with permanent contracts if they wish, and some of them are more closely involved with IKEUCHI ORGANIC. Ms. Shiraishi, who appears in this interview, went from being a part-timer to a full-time employee, and is now active in the inspection section, making use of the skills and relationships she developed during her part-timer days. In this interview, she talks about episodes in her job, her favorite towels, and the atmosphere of the company.

Shiraishi, Inspection

It is a great relief when we are able to ship in time!

–Please tell us about your history with the company and the work you are in charge of.

This year will be my fifth year. I joined the company as a part-timer and became an employee last November. My job is to inspect the towels, and the last thing I do is make the sewn products into goods, so I check the towels for any damage.

–Do you find anything rewarding or fulfilling in the inspection work?

(Because the interview was conducted at the place where the inspection work is being done.) Everyone is paying attention (laughs). (Laughs) I feel relieved when we are able to ship the products in time. It is one day at a time that I can say, “It was done today.

Organic air requires delicate inspection

–Is there anything that you think is difficult to inspect?

It is difficult to see scratches and other defects depending on the product, and the condition differs depending on the weave at that time.

–Do you have any specific products that are difficult to inspect?

(Organic) No, not air. If you pull on it a little bit, it can become scratched, so it’s very difficult.

–I (interviewer Mutaguchi: webmaster, works at the Tokyo Store) have also had pile come out when I was folding them at the store. Air weavers also say that it is very difficult.

–(Looking around the inspection work area) Do you always work quietly?

(Looking around) Yes, it is quiet (laughs).

(Laughs) — Is there anything that has left a lasting impression on you since you joined the company?

Barbecue at the company, at Osumi Beach in Namikata (laughs).

(laughs) — That sounds fun. I envy you that the Imabari head office has an abundance of nature nearby. By the way, your expression is stiff. Are you still nervous?

I never thought I would be interviewed here (at the inspection site)…

Straits Organic, which is thick and absorbs water well.

–What is that towel you are clutching that you brought with you today?

It is Straits Organic.

–Why do you like that towel?

I use them in the kitchen and bathroom, and they are thick, so they don’t get soaked, so they are easy to use. They absorb water very well.

–Do you like the color?　Do you have many other colors?

I don’t have many. But I use only IKEUCHI towels.

–Do you like patterns?

(laughs) -Do you like patterns?

A safe working environment and a sense of responsibility

–What is the best thing about working at IKEUCHI ORGANIC?

I get a lot of time off (laughs). The fact that we have a good benefits package.

–The fact that we have two days off a week is probably due to the company’s policy that we are expected to achieve proper work results in a limited amount of time and that they want us to have a fulfilling personal life as well. Finally, what are your goals and what do you want to do at work in the future?

I have only been an employee for a short time, so I want to make sure that I do my current job well.

Interview January 2016
Interview and text by Mutaguchi, Kamio
Photographer/ Yuji Kimura (Kimura Photo Office)