Iron Heart Japan - The Future
-
Today, Haraki made this announcement to the Japanese staff.
The dates may change a bit, as is often the way.......
Subject: Iron Heart plans leadership transition to Alex Padmore by 2029
Hello everyone,
Today, I have an important announcement to share with you regarding our near future.
In about two months, I will turn 70 years old. Taking this as a milestone, I wanted to share my future plans and the future of Iron Heart with all of you.
Three years from now, in 2029, I will step down as President of Iron Heart Co., Ltd. and welcome Alex from the UK as the new President.
After that, I will support the new president in the role of Chairman. However, regarding the company’s overall direction and daily operations, decisions will be made under the new president's judgment.Of course, I want to avoid any abrupt changes within the company during this transition. Over the next three years, as we watch Iron Heart’s growth together with Alex, we will pass on the philosophy and commitment to craftsmanship that I have cherished, while gradually determining how the company should operate moving forward.
As a foundation for transitioning to this new structure, I want everyone to firmly embrace an idea I have always emphasized: "Iron Heart will thrive on its directly-managed stores."
Of course, the importance of our current operations—such as managing the newly established logistics warehouse in Kojima and wholesaling to select dealers—remains unchanged. Among these key operations, however, I want to build a solid operational system for our retail stores over the next three years based on that core belief.
Each store will manage its own product ordering, sales, and profit tracking, ultimately seeing how their work directly connects to their own income. In short, the goal is to create a system where each store operates as an independent profit center.
Once this system is established and I hand over Iron Heart Co., Ltd. to Alex, I plan to focus even more than ever on "making things" (product creation), based at Works Inc. Looking 5 to 10 years into Iron Heart’s future, I will continue creating products in whatever way I can and devote my energy to the brand's ongoing development.Of course, nothing is going to change drastically starting tomorrow. Over the next three years, working alongside all of you, I want to build the future of Iron Heart step by step.
Though brief, today I shared something regarding our future that is extremely important to Iron Heart. Let’s continue working together to make Iron Heart an even better brand.
Thank you for your continued support.
============
Shinichi Haraki
WORKS INCI sent a note of thanks to Haraki for placing so much trust in "our" son.
His reply: "Yes, Alex is my son"
My heart brimmeth over....
-
Well done Alex.
-
Well done alex we all know it is being passed into safe hands you thoroughly deserve this position with all the hard work you have done good luck for the future.
-
Congratulations Alex
you did an awesome job all the years and I can’t think of someone more qualified to lead Iron Heart in the future. -
Congratulations Alex!
-
Congrats Alex

-
Wow
what amazing news!
Congratulations, Alex

-
@Giles I can really relate to your pride as a father, and I'm so happy for you—and, of course, for Alex, too. You've done everything right and built a wonderful family. Well done!
To be honest, I'm also proud to be part of this big family, and I'm looking forward to the years ahead—it's going to be exciting and great for sure. -
Very good news. I’m happy for Alex, well done, and grateful for being a small part as a customer

-
Great news, Iron Heart's future is in safe hands!
-
@Shane-B said in Iron Heart Japan - The Future:
@Giles I can really relate to your pride as a father, and I'm so happy for you—and, of course, for Alex, too. You've done everything right and built a wonderful family. Well done!
To be honest, I'm also proud to be part of this big family, and I'm looking forward to the years ahead—it's going to be exciting and great for sure.Thank you Shane
-
Do you see any changes coming to how the Japan-side of Iron Heart does business? More offerings in line with the International side? Increase in price? Closing of shops?

️