Roles and Potentials of Lumber Retailers in Tokyo Region

Abstract

This paper concerns roles and potentials expected of lumber retailers. We interviewed eight lumber retailers in the Tokyo Region (Tokyo, Kanagawa, Chiba and Saitama Prefectures) and analyzed the results of the responses from five of them. We identified the following four viewpoints: processing, inventory, delivery and information sharing, in order to observe and define the changes in the nature of the lumber retailers’business and their management policies as a result of the widespread distribution of pre-cut products. The lumber retailers have enhanced their processing function to best meet customers’orders. They have reduced the cost of delivery. They have improved inventory management. These three functions are supported by information sharing with business partners and among themselves. They are conducting business by combining these four functions in a comprehensive manner. This paper also points out the crucial importance of information sharing among the upstream, midstream and downstream parties involved in lumber distribution. Under the difficult situation faced by the entire industry, lumber retailers should be able to become a significant contributor to the creation of new lumber demands through the sharpening of their knowledge of lumber and architecture, active participation in lumber distribution, and by establishing a venue for understanding each other’s situation and challenges via information sharing. Our plan is underway to continue this study by increasing the sample size so as to reasonably generalize lumber retailers in the Tokyo Region.