COLABO Co., Ltd.

Company overview

Steel frames are indispensable for high-rise and large-scale buildings. COLABO Co., Ltd. handles everything from the preparation of those steel frame construction and fabrication drawings to occasional fabrication management and site management. With its unique positioning specializing in steel frames, the company has been involved in a wide variety of buildings, including high-rise buildings, shopping centers, and logistics warehouses.
Our management philosophy is "Imagine a Happy Face." We aim to please not only our customers, such as iron and steel mills, steel trading companies, general contractors, and design firms, but also all partner employees involved. COLABO's strength is its ability to mediate between various stakeholders and make detailed adjustments to ensure the best possible plan for each. "We believe that it is meaningful only when all parties involved are happy, not just one of them," said Mr. Echizen, Representative Director.
The company, which originally started operations at its base in China (Dalian) and later established a base in Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City), is also active in hiring foreign employees. Originally from Vietnam, Mr. Anh was attracted to the company because of its expertise in steel frame construction. “In Vietnam, RC construction is currently the norm, but if labor and material costs rise in the future, there may be a shift to steel construction. It was my first time to do work related to steel frames, but I thought it would be a good opportunity to contribute to my home country in the future, so I decided to take the plunge," said Anh.

Work-life balance initiatives

Representative Director Echizen says, "We want our employees to continue working for as long as possible." We believe that in order for employees to continue working for a long time, it is necessary for them to have a fulfilling time in their private life outside of work, and we have introduced many systems to support the balance between work and private life.
One example of these systems is staggered work hours. Employees can adjust their work hours to suit their individual schedules, so that employees raising children, for example, can take their children to and from daycare with a little extra time to spare.
The company also offers a unique initiative called the Step Up Holiday Program. The program, which provides vacation and incentive allowances based on years of service, such as five or ten years, is designed to reward employees who have worked continuously for a long period of time. It is a symbol of the company's desire for its employees to refresh themselves both mentally and physically, and to feel good about working at the next stage of their careers.
In addition, everyone looks forward to the annual company trip. Employees in Dalian and Ho Chi Minh City, who normally only meet each other online, will also join together to enjoy activities in various countries. Anh said with a smile, "I really enjoy being able to interact with other employees in an environment away from work."
According to Representative Director Echizen, "The current system is also not fixed, but will be changed flexibly depending on how employees work and their requests." Going forward, we will continue to create systems for a better work-life balance for employees.

Human resource development initiatives

Steel construction drawings / fabrication drawings are a niche field within the construction industry. COLABO, however, provides an environment where even inexperienced foreign employees can take on challenges.
The secret lies in our extensive training program. Specialized training sessions utilizing multilingual videos, manuals, and educational materials are held almost every week, so that even from scratch, one can acquire a complete knowledge of the program. "I was able to learn specialized and practical things that I couldn't learn in school," said Anh. Another feature of the program is that shortly after business training, the participants gain experience in customer service through on-the-job training, allowing them to acquire practical skills in a short period of time. And for employees who want to take a further step forward, we have a system to support the acquisition of qualifications. In addition to qualification study sessions, benefits such as examination fees and qualification allowances are provided for those who pass the exam.
In addition, we have established an absolute and relative evaluation system, and "we try to evaluate employees based on a flat view of their abilities, regardless of their nationality" (Representative Director Echizen). Anh also feels that "As long as I have the ability and experience, I am happy to have the opportunity to take on management positions."
The company provides interviews at least four times a year to discuss career opportunities. This is something unique to this company. "There is a lot of work to be done alone, silently and intensively, but that will always lead to a dead end. We believe it is important to increase daily conversations and help each other to achieve great results together," said Representative Director Echizen.

Message from our top executive

Representative Director Kohei Echizen

As one of the most earthquake-prone countries in the world, Japan is characterized by a high level of construction standards and required technology. We intend to apply the advanced technological capabilities we have developed in this harsh environment to our overseas operations as well. If you can bring new ideas to life through local perspectives and connections, we would love to work with you!

Message from foreign talent

Project Manager, Design Department/Nguyen Tuan Anh(Vietnam)

In Tokyo, there are opportunities to learn advanced skills not only in architecture, but also in various other fields such as machinery and IT. Some job types require Japanese language skills and an understanding of Japanese business customs, but there is no doubt that you will grow a great deal on the job. The company has a strong sense of camaraderie among employees and a culture of helping each other through hard times, which makes for a lively work environment. If you want to have fun and improve your skills, this is the perfect environment for you!