METALART is a manufacturer specializing in the forging and machining of various parts for automobiles, construction machinery, industrial machinery, and more.

Leveraging its technical expertise cultivated over many years, it supports MONODUKURI sites as a group company of Daihatsu.

Why did METALART start a strawberry farm, which is in a completely different industry?

Oishi, the president who gave us a tour around the greenhouse, shared the reason behind starting the farm.

Amidst what the automobile industry calls a “once-in-a-century transformation period,” we felt we needed to look ahead and pursue new initiatives. We realized we couldn’t rely solely on our current business; we needed another pillar to stand on.

――That’s when you launched an internal call for new business ideas.

We decided to start by recruiting ideas from employees. A wide variety of proposals came in—everything from nursing care to delivery services. Ultimately, the agriculture proposal was the one selected.

――Why agriculture?

I really wanted to create a business that could truly engage with the region. I hoped it would become a reason for people to visit Shiga and lead to initiatives that invigorate the entire region.

Plus, it holds potential in terms of employment. With the declining birthrate and aging population, we live in a society where the workforce isn’t growing. Factory work inevitably requires physical strength in certain areas, so it’s not the kind of job people can continue doing indefinitely. I hoped the farm could also serve as a place of acceptance for senior citizens.

――Why choose strawberries as a crop in the first place?

Within agriculture, strawberries are relatively easy to get into. Plus, they pair well with tourism. Since their peak season runs from winter into spring, we thought they could provide an incentive for visitors to come to Shiga specifically for strawberry picking during the winter months, when there are relatively fewer tourists.

――What kind of place do you want this farm to be for all your employees?

The company name “METALART” isn’t something you see in daily life. For children, it can be a bit confusing—they might ask, “What does Dad’s company actually make?”

But imagine being able to point to these strawberries and say, “This is what my dad’s company does.” That’s the kind of place I’d love for us to be—a place our employees and their families can be proud of.

Bringing people to the region and creating new vitality in wintertime Shiga was a challenge that would eventually become a source of pride for the employees.

Mizuumi to Ichigo embodies such a vision for the future that METALART pursues.

Mizuumi to Ichigo features not only a strawberry farm but also an attached café. Sweets generously made with freshly picked strawberries line the display case, offering the sweet, juicy taste of the season.

The pastry chef responsible for confections and sweets at the café is Horiike.

In fact, until about four years ago, she worked as an employee at METALART in the office.

――What led you to become a pastry chef at Mizuumi to Ichigo?

At the time, I was in the general affairs department of METALART alongside Oishi, and I was selected as a founding member of the farm.

Some strawberries were irregularly shaped and difficult to sell, so we discussed whether we could use them in confections and sweets. That’s when knowledge of confectionery became necessary.

――Why were you selected?

I had been making confections as a hobby. Oishi knew about this and asked me if I’d like to work with him. Honestly, I never imagined it would turn into a job, so I was surprised at first.

After that, Horiike received company support and attended a pastry school for one year.

There, she learned professional baking techniques from the ground up and began her journey as a pastry chef.

――Weren’t you hesitant about such a sudden career change?

Personally, I enjoy taking on new challenges, so I genuinely felt like giving it a shot. The company offered support too, and my desire to “just try it out first” outweighed any anxiety.

“Just try it out first.”

That very attitude is said to be the origin of METALART’s MONODUKURI.

Mizuumi to Ichigo is packed with numerous unique touches that set it apart from other farms. Walking through the greenhouse, you realize it’s not just about sheer size.

In designing the greenhouse, they collected structural data from strawberry farms all over the country and conducted thorough verification down to the finest details.

The safe and easy-to-navigate flow design is another feature born from this cumulative approach. Using a suspended cultivation method, the plant height is adjusted to children’s eye level.

Even adults only need to lower their gaze slightly to find the bright red strawberries right before their eyes.

There’s no need to strain into awkward positions; one can simply reach out for them naturally.

Furthermore, water supply pipes are consolidated at the edges, ensuring ample space in the passageways. This design allows individuals using wheelchairs or strollers to move with peace of mind. It incorporates the perspective of “consideration for human movement” cultivated over many years at MONODUKURI sites.

“Since you’ve come all this way, I hope you will relax and enjoy yourselves. And I hope more people will come visit,” said Oishi.

His commitment to METALART’s quality seems to be thoroughly reflected in the design of each aspect of the strawberry farm.

“Strawberries are seasonal. We also have to consider what to do in the off-season when there’s no harvest.”

Currently, they are also challenging themselves by growing melons as a follow-up crop after strawberries. Although the test cultivation didn’t yield the desired sweetness, they say they are making continuous improvements.

“There are things you won’t know until you try. But we can always improve. The same applies to MONODUKURI at METALART. Going forward, I hope to grow alongside the company, challenging all possibilities—not just melon cultivation,” said Oishi.

This embodies the very spirit of METALART’s slogan: Aggressive Risk Taking.

A positive culture of taking on challenges also seems to be taking root in this strawberry farm.

Though the field of expertise is different, what lies at the core is the spirit of taking a step forward to the future.

Mizuumi to Ichigo will continue evolving as another form of MONODUKURI for METALART.

＼Stayed updated on Instagram!／
At METALART, we share posts about our employees and scenes from the daily workplace on Instagram.
Our page is packed with posts that capture real expressions on the work site and convey our passion for MONODUKURI.
Be sure to check us out here too.

METALART CORPORATION Official Instagram

Text: Sato, Digital Transformation Promotion Div. (Internal side job)