From 'Sell and Done' to 'Profit After Sale': Learning After-Sales Service Strategy from Former Komatsu President – 'Transformation for High-Profit Aftermarket Business in Japanese Manufacturing Industry'

Layers Consulting Co., Ltd. (Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Hisashi Sugino; hereinafter "Layers") announces that it will hold an online seminar titled "Transformation for High-Profit Aftermarket Business in Japanese Manufacturing Industry" on Tuesday, May 12, 2026.

Amidst prolonged calls for the revitalization of manufacturing, Japanese manufacturing is currently being directly hit by inflation, a weak yen, and regional political instability. Now more than ever, Japanese manufacturers need to re-evaluate their inherent value and enhance their earning power. Earning power, in this context, means not only the profit and sales from products but also maximizing revenue obtained throughout the product's lifespan, including after-sales services.

This seminar will invite Mr. Kunio Noji, who, as Representative Director, President, and CEO of Komatsu, emphasized on-site operations, promoted market introduction of the world's first hybrid hydraulic excavators and unmanned dump truck operating systems, and advanced structural reforms such as global production reorganization and integration of sales divisions, thereby building a lean and resilient corporate structure. He will deliver a lecture on the direction of aftermarket strategy that Japanese manufacturing should pursue, backed by his practical experience and achievements at Komatsu.

From Layers Consulting, we will introduce practical points for systematization and digital utilization, including AI, to achieve high profitability in the aftermarket business, focusing on pricing strategies and service reforms.

## Online Seminar Overview

Date and Time: Tuesday, May 12, 2026, 15:00 - 16:45
Venue: Online format
Contents:
- Opening
- Introduction to Layers Consulting
- Growth Potential in Aftermarket Business for Japanese Manufacturing
Hisashi Sugino (Representative Director CEO, Certified Public Accountant, Layers Consulting Co., Ltd.)
- Keynote Speech
- After-sales Service Strategy Required for Japanese Manufacturing
- The Environment Surrounding Komatsu and its After-sales Service Strategy
- Expansion of Komatsu's After-sales Service Based on its Manufacturing Philosophy
- After-sales Service Reform in Japanese Manufacturing
Mr. Kunio Noji (Komatsu Advisor, Former Representative Director and President)
- Lecture II
- Pricing Strategy for the Aftermarket to Generate Overwhelming Profits
- The Aftermarket as a Source of Profit
- Organic Linkage of Service and Parts Pricing Strategy
- Aftermarket Parts Price Optimization Utilizing AI
Ryuta Sato (Head of Marketing Strategy & Logistics Strategy BU, Business Strategy Division, Layers Consulting Co., Ltd.)
- Lecture III
- After-sales Service Reform in Manufacturing Aimed at Maximizing Earning Power
- The Need for a Perspective on Maximizing Product Lifecycle Profits
- Business Model Transformation towards Sales, Development, and Production Centered on After-sales Service
- Fundamental Review of After-sales Service Divisions
Masaya Takemori (Deputy Business Unit Head, Managing Director, SCM Business Unit, Layers Consulting Co., Ltd.)
- Q&A Session

Participation Fee: Free (pre-registration required)
Target Audience: Top management, corporate planning, design & development, production planning, production management, cost management, and key personnel in information systems departments.
*Please refrain from applying if you are from a consulting firm or a competitor.
*Please refrain from applying if you are an individual or a student.
Organizer: Layers Consulting Co., Ltd.
Details and Application: https://www.layers.co.jp/seminar/s20260512/

## About the Speakers

Mr. Kunio Noji
Komatsu Advisor
Former Representative Director and President
After joining Komatsu, he served as Plant Manager of Komatsu Dresser Company Chattanooga, Head of Information Systems, Head of Production, and Head of Construction Equipment Marketing, among others, before being appointed Representative Director, President, and CEO in 2007. Amidst drastic changes in the business environment, such as the Lehman Shock, the Great East Japan Earthquake, and an extremely strong yen, he emphasized on-site operations and promoted the construction of a lean and resilient corporate structure by swiftly undertaking structural reforms such as global production reorganization and integration of sales divisions, inventory reduction, and fixed cost reduction. In terms of products, with ICT, safety, and environment as keywords, he promoted the market introduction of the world's first hybrid hydraulic excavators and unmanned dump truck operating systems. He also worked to establish and deepen "Komatsu Way," Komatsu's code of conduct, and to develop human resources necessary for global business activities.

Member of the Management Advisory Committee, Layers Consulting Co., Ltd.

Hisashi Sugino
Layers Consulting Co., Ltd.
Representative Director CEO
Certified Public Accountant
After working at Arthur Andersen (now Accenture), he established Layers Consulting Co., Ltd. in 1983. He currently serves as the Representative Director CEO of this Japanese-origin consulting firm with 555 consulting staff. He provides services to listed companies including building and introducing global management systems, accounting system construction, growth strategy development, new business development, business reform, DX promotion, and cost reduction promotion, and cos...