Proposal for new value via the first steel-tower-type full-color rendering illumination in Japan

New challenge in PPP/PFI Business Office: Regional activation via light rendering

NakayamaThe PPP/PFI Business Office, where we work, is a department mainly in charge of public-private partnerships ( PPP) between municipalities or the national government and private enterprise. We utilize our strengths in power equipment and lighting equipment to carry out public works projects in collaboration with other companies.

I was responsible for the design of transformers in the previous department, but I wanted to take on the challenge of a new job. I was feeling the need for public services, so I ran as a candidate at the time for the recruitment of PPP/PFI Business Office.

MiyataI also ran as a candidate around the same time, and I work in the same department. At that time in the PPP/PFI Business Office, the work had started for Prifoods Stadium of Hachinohe City as the first large-scaled business project. With notions that I wanted to put myself in a challenging business position for our company, a manufacturer, to lead to personal growth and that I wanted to be involved in work that would remain on the map, I put my hand up.

NakayamaAt Prifoods Stadium for which the Outstanding Illumination Technology Award was won, we proposed an added value from our own perspective via the color illumination to which the rendering element was added since the beginning of the proposal to the customer. Light and sound can expand the scope of rendering, which can amuse the audiences, for example, at a football game, from entry to interval, goal, and exit. This has also been utilized for not only illumination rendering in sports but also regional events and a variety of different lighting projects.

MiyataI was involved in the project of Prifoods Stadium just after being assigned, and I was responsible for coordination with municipalities, local private enterprises and manufacturers. Since it was necessary to determine how to achieve the (specifications of) details of the equipment, I was very busy coming and going between Tokyo and Hachinohe for half the week in the latter half of the work period, but I enjoyed the sense of fulfillment.

In the final phase, I thought of the illumination rendering along with the athlete entry music, but at the verification test for rendering without athletes and an audience in the venue, I was a bit anxious about whether users would really be satisfied. However, when I went to the first night game after completion, I had a sense of security in seeing a good response within the venue even under the COVID-19　pandemic where we could not cheer loudly. This became an unforgettable memory.

Search for customer needs and collaborate by cooperative play for each phase

NakayamaI had been responsible for sales at the stadium in Sendai City since May 2023. Since this is a home stadium for a J-League club like Prifoods Stadium in Hachinohe City, I proposed an experiential rendering to entertain the audiences. I planned a rendering that livened up athletes’ play by the lighting of 108 color illuminations with the white sails of the roof as the screen and by combining a variety of rendering programs and illuminations. Furthermore, we also adopted color illumination for the beams of the concourse at the stadium entrance, and off-field rendering that will lift the spirits of the audience who use the nearest Izumi Chuo Station.

The progress of the project is divided by phase. In the first sales phase, we search for customer needs, find out the potentiality of commercialization, and prepare a proposal.

MiyataAfter we have signed a contract with a customer, the phase changes to the construction phase and actually makes the site work. This includes such tasks as the confirmation of requirements, coordination of subcontractors, and the management of work progression. Furthermore, in the event the customer requires the maintenance of delivered equipment, we provide support for the maintenance in the operation phase after the completion of work.
I was responsible for the construction phase for the stadium in Sendai City. I repeatedly visited the site a few times a month to coordinate with the customer about how to realize the contents proposed in the sales phase by Mr. Nakayama. I also proposed the rendering plan, such as the color to light the stadium and how to control the movement.

NakayamaI am frequently responsible for the sales phase. The sales job is to offer a concrete proposal from a customer abstract concept. I integrate the information to determine the concrete equipment specifications that meet the customer needs.

MiyataI am responsible for many tasks in the construction and operation phases. In the construction phase, I make the determination after repeated discussions about whether the recognition is shared with customers or subcontractors and how to proceed with the work. This makes me feel big responsibility.

NakayamaMr. Miyata reaches a settlement properly and develops the details in the construction phase to realize the contents of the proposal. I have confidence him.

MiyataSince I am not good at creating an overall concept, I wanted to acquire the sales capability from Mr. Nakayama who creates a concept from the points grasped.

While I walk down a street or watch sports on TV, I pay attention to the illumination equipment to get ideas for my work, as well as collect information on cutting-edge efforts.

NakayamaWe handle projects for shifting to the use of LEDs in other than sports facilities. For example, we have a track record of shifting illumination equipment at 77 facilities to the use of LEDs in Nirasaki City, Yamanashi Prefecture.

The 77 facilities include the city government building, community centers, gymnasiums, outdoor sports facilities, tunnels, roads, and streetlights. Because of the enormous numbers of types and quantities, we had difficulty changing the type of illumination device depending on the place.

MiyataIn addition, there was an increase in the number of cases where we cooperated with another department in the company. Flexible collaborative relationships in the company are necessary to meet customer requirements. There is an example in which a customer made an inquiry about supplying power from an EV during a power failure, and the V2H device capable of supplying power to the facility from the EV was adopted after cooperation with the dedicated department in our company.

Impress people by proposals in which Takaoka Toko’s technology and experiences are used

NakayamaPublic works projects have fixed construction periods, so there is no time to spare from the proposal stage. What is important is how the proposal is prepared in a short time to meet customer needs and differentiate our company from other companies. It is particularly difficult to convince customers by combining the latest ideas and technologies with products from our area of expertise.

The role of the PPP/PFI Business Office is to offer proposals that make public equipment better. So I'm constantly studying to become familiar with the equipment. The knowledge is helpful in offering proposals to customers, and I am happy and feel rewarded to have another consultation based on mutual trust. It gives me particular pleasure to hear words, “Thank you,” or get information about another project.

MiyataI am rewarded when I see completed equipment. When I go to a game to actually see the crowded audience and hear louder cheers than I assumed, I am impressed. I think it was good for me to make an effort when I hear such comments as “It is better than I expected when I stand on the pitch,” and “My motivation is boosted” from athletes who used the facility.

NakayamaIt became a big step for the PPP/PFI Business Office to have received recognition for achievements at Prifoods Stadium inside and outside of the company. With the aim of further expanding our business, we will propose new value to continuously contribute to society.