Interview
Solving the issues of paper. Eliminating the need for frequent poster replacements caused by tearing and fading from sun exposure.
- Company nameTonkatsu Shinjuku Saboten (Green House Foods Co., Ltd.)
- Industryeating and drinking
- ApplicationsPrinted Materials
- URLGreen House Foods Website
- 【Issue】
- Improving the replacement frequency of paper posters due to fading and deterioration caused by sun exposure.
- 【Product Adopted】
- Recruitment Poster
- 【Effects】
- Significantly reduced the effort required for on-site staff to replace posters.
- Contributed to the conservation of natural resources by completely eliminating the use of wood pulp in the product’s raw materials and significantly reducing the amount of water required during manufacturing.
Green House Group operates a wide range of businesses related to food and hospitality, including the tonkatsu specialty restaurant “Tonkatsu Shinjuku Saboten” and the Chinese restaurant “Shahoden.” The company has adopted “LIMEX,” a material primarily made of limestone, for the recruitment posters used in their hiring activities.
This time, we interviewed Mr. Kasahara, who is supporting Green House Group’s recruitment efforts, about the background leading to the adoption of LIMEX and its resulting effects.
Profile of Kasahara
Belongs to the Recruitment Support Department of Green House Group. Responsible for recruitment support across the entire group, including Green House Foods, and engaged in a wide range of HR-related duties, such as career hiring and part-time staff recruitment.
I learned about LIMEX on TV. I intuitively felt it could solve the issue with our recruitment posters.
What led you to learn about LIMEX?
Kasahara: I learned about LIMEX on the TV program “Gacchiri Monday!!” I believe it was around 2017. At that time, I was in charge of part-time staff recruitment in the Sales Promotion Department at Green House Foods, and creating recruitment posters was one of my duties.
Our conventional paper posters would frequently require replacement due to deterioration. They would tear while being displayed, and especially at street-level stores, they would fade significantly from sun exposure. It was during that time that I happened to see LIMEX on TV, and I immediately thought, “This should last a long time.” I called your company right after the broadcast to inquire about it.
Its functionality—being tear-resistant and fade-resistant—pushed for an unprecedented adoption
After the inquiry, how did the process leading to the adoption proceed?
Kasahara:
We had your sales representative visit us, and initially considered using LIMEX for both posters and business cards. However, we found that the ink would not adhere to the business cards using the in-house printer we had at the time, so we abandoned that idea. We then decided to proceed with the adoption, focusing on creating at least the recruitment posters—where we felt the greatest need—with LIMEX.
To be honest, back then (in 2017), no one in the company knew about LIMEX. In the proposal document, I highlighted features like “tear-resistant” and “water-repellent,” and explained that the longer durability would reduce our replacement frequency.
Did you have any concerns regarding the cost?
Kasahara: Regarding the higher cost compared to paper, I believed the benefits were significant enough when considering the future reduction in replacement and reprinting frequency. Our top priority was the functional benefit of “durability”—meaning it lasts longer—which contributes to ease of use for our stores.
Significantly reduced the effort for on-site staff. Replacements due to damage dropped to zero.
What results have you seen since actually introducing the LIMEX posters?
Kasahara: Firstly, the fact that the posters are “stain-resistant,” “tear-resistant,” and “fade-resistant” was a huge advantage. In particular, many of our deli-style stores are street-level and often exposed to rain and wind. Paper posters used to deteriorate quickly, but this problem has been resolved, and the effort required for replacement has been significantly reduced.
How much has the replacement frequency changed?
Kasahara: Previously, frequent and irregular replacements were necessary due to tearing and staining. Since switching to LIMEX, replacements due to damage have been completely eliminated. We now only replace them when the hourly wage needs to be updated, such as when salaries are revised—meaning, essentially, about once a year.
As long as the content doesn’t change, the posters can be used without any problems for a full year. I believe this has significantly reduced the effort required for on-site staff to replace them.
We also look forward to expanding its use into new applications, such as menus.
Do you have any candid feedback or requests for the products you are currently using or for our company?
Kasahara: I don’t have any specific points that need improvement. However, I saw an example where LIMEX was used as a menu at a family restaurant by another company, and I feel it could be utilized within our company as well.
Depending on the business format, menus placed on tables can get stained when customers spill drinks, or the corners can get bent. If similar items could be produced with LIMEX, I believe there is potential for us to use it.
Green House Foods successfully addressed an on-site issue by focusing on the functionality of LIMEX, which resists deterioration even in outdoor environments.
TBM will continue to support the company’s smooth store operations and recruitment activities through the provision of LIMEX products.
FAQ
I want a price list.
Please fill out the inquiry form and let us know the product you are looking for.
How long will it take to deliver?
Clear files and business cards can be delivered within the same delivery time as regular products. For more information, please contact us using our inquiry form.
I’d like to know how to dispose of LIMEX after use.
[For Businesses]
When disposing of LIMEX as business waste, please treat it as industrial waste. LIMEX products are flammable. Please dispose of them in accordance with your local municipality’s rules.
[For Consumers]
LIMEX products are flammable. When disposing of them, please follow your local municipality’s rules.
*Do not mix LIMEX products with recycled paper. For more information, please see here.
I’d like to receive a LIMEX sample.
Please contact us using this inquiry form.
I’m looking to be involved in the sales and development of LIMEX products.
TBM is always looking for partners to sell and develop LIMEX products. Please contact us using this inquiry form.
