Nihon Wide Communications Launches "Regional Cattle Leather Full Process Support Brand Produce Business" to Support Everything from Raw Hide Tanning and Product Manufacturing to EC Logistics

Echigo Leather E-commerce Site (https://shop.echigoleather.com)

A new partnership model that consolidates know-how from the "Izumo Leather" in-house brand, handling everything from raw hide tanning and dyeing to product development, EC logistics, and sales.

[Background and Objectives]

Currently, many cases exist where excellent materials and technologies found throughout Japan are overlooked due to "lack of product manufacturing know-how" or "labor shortages in EC operations and daily packing/shipping (logistics)." Nihon Wide Communications Inc. has successfully revitalized regional resources, developed products from regional Wagyu leather, and established EC distribution through its brand management of "Izumo Leather" in Shimane Prefecture.

We are now fully launching the "Regional Cattle Leather Full Process Support Brand Produce Business," which systematizes the supply chain and brand management know-how of Izumo Leather to provide comprehensive support from production to distribution for businesses creating regional specialty products.

[First Phase of This Business: Partnership with Echigo Leather Kikaku]

As the first phase of this business, we have signed a service agreement with "Echigo Leather Kikaku," which aims to develop new specialty products using leather from "Niigata Wagyu," a brand item promoted by Niigata Prefecture. "Echigo Leather" is a project launched by Ken Kato, former Yomiuri Giants player and current Yokohama DeNA BayStars first-team coach (hometown: Seiro Town, Niigata Prefecture), with the goal of cultivating "Niigata Wagyu leather" as a new specialty product of Niigata Prefecture. Mr. Kato paid a courtesy visit to Niigata Governor Hanazumi to report on the project's launch and was simultaneously appointed "Niigata Prefecture Promoted Brand Item Ambassador."

This project came about when Echigo Leather Kikaku directly approached us for support, recognizing our prior success in managing Izumo Leather. We will provide the following comprehensive support for the operational launch scheduled for June 30, 2026:

1. Upstream Support for Production and Development (from Tanning to Product Manufacturing)

Coordination with Tanning/Dyeing Businesses: Matching and acting as a liaison with optimal tanners (tanning and dyeing businesses) to finish the carefully sourced "Niigata Wagyu" raw hides from Echigo Leather Kikaku into high-quality leather products (e.g., baseball gloves, wallets, business card holders, bags).

Advice on Product Manufacturing (Product Development): Supporting the planning and development of high-priced leather products (average price around ¥15,000) by leveraging our track record and market needs analysis from Izumo Leather.

2. Downstream Support for Sales and Operations (from EC to Logistics)

E-commerce Site Construction and Infrastructure Management: Building a secure foundation including payment systems and security measures.

E-commerce Operations and Data Analysis: Daily site modifications, product registration, and improvement proposals based on monthly reports.

Fulfillment (Logistics and Customer Service): Speedy packing and shipping according to orders, inventory management, and initial customer support.

[Comment from Ken Kato, Echigo Leather Kikaku]

After retiring from professional baseball, I returned to my hometown of Niigata and connected with many people in the region, receiving much inspiration and encouragement. Over several years, I gradually made preparations, and finally, we are launching our first project.

Our aim is to produce the highest quality leather products from Niigata's proud "Niigata Wagyu" raw hides and cultivate them as a new specialty product of Niigata Prefecture. However, we faced significant challenges in building the systems for overall business support, including manufacturing, launching the e-commerce site, and handling the daily, complex logistics (packing and shipping).

It was in this context that the entire initiative began with my request for support from Mr. Satoshi Hirai of Nihon Wide Communications, who had successfully managed the "Izumo Leather" brand. The partnership with Nihon Wide Communications, who provides organizational backup for the real-world know-how Mr. Hirai has cultivated from upstream to downstream manufacturing, feels very reassuring and represents an ideal form of joint business for us.

With this strong support, we are confident that we can concentrate 100% on our strength, "sourcing and appraising raw hides," and deliver unprecedentedly wonderful products to people across the country.

[Unique Support System Leveraging Izumo Leather's Know-How]

Typical EC operation agencies and logistics companies can only "sell" or "ship" already completed products. In contrast, through our operation of "Izumo Leather," we have the strength of deeply understanding and practicing the manufacturing value chain ourselves, which includes [Processing (Tanning/Dyeing) ➔ Product Commercialization ➔ Site Construction ➔ Marketing ➔ Logistics/Shipping].

This end-to-end support system enables client companies to focus on their unique raw hide sourcing and brand philosophy pursuit, while seamlessly achieving reliable product manufacturing and nationwide distribution.

[Future Outlook]

We will continue to provide strong support for Echigo Leather Kikaku's brand value maximization and early expansion of EC sales. Furthermore, starting with this service, we will support the creation of specialty products utilizing excellent regional cattle from across Japan, promote EC sales and DX, and contribute to industrial revitalization.

Company Profile

Nihon Wide Communications Inc.

Representative: Satoshi Hirai, Representative Director

Location: 7F ONEST Kanda Nishifukuda-cho Bldg., 4 Kanda Nishifukuda-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0037 (Tokyo Office)

Business Activities: EC Total Produce Business, Brand Management, Marketing Support, etc.

URL: https://www.n-wide.co.jp/

Echigo Leather Kikaku

Project Leader: Ken Kato

Business Activities: Planning, manufacturing, and sales of leather products (baseball gloves, bags, accessories, etc.) using "Niigata Wagyu," and regional welfare contribution activities.