“We are a global player, yet we believe in the local approach”
ROHTO Pharmaceutical, a Japan based health care company ventured into the Nepali market in 2014. United Distributors Nepal has acquired the sole distribution of ROHTO pharmaceutical products. ROHTO is one of the Japan’s leading health and skin care company providing health and personal care solutions since more than a century now. ROHTO is a FMCG and OTC pharmaceutical corporation headquartered in Ikuno-ku, Osaka, Japan, with a presence in North America, Europe and Asia.
Shunsuke Shinoda, Market Development Director of ROHTO in Vietnam was in Nepal recently when Business 360º caught up with him to learn more about the company’s plans for the Nepali market. Excerpts:
How are ROHTO products being received in Nepal?
First of all, ROHTO is very happy to bring its business here in Nepal. We entered the market two years back with a vision to present our unique and effective products in this beautiful country. During this short span of time, we have been overwhelmed by the market reception and huge acceptance of our products. Though we have few lists of products at the present, they cater to different segments of consumers. For instance, one of our products, Acnes, used for treatment of pimple has been embraced by a majority of youths, and this has succeeded in establishing it as one of the most preferred product in this segment.
Same is the case with our other products. And the reason is that we are a pharmaceutical company by core nature. Our products are made based on evidence and pharmaceutical knowledge. The advantage of science in our heath care and cosmetic products make it very effective and popular. We have had huge acceptance and good feedback from our consumers here. This has also led us to appoint an authorised dealership in Nepal.
First of all, ROHTO is very happy to bring its business here in Nepal. We entered the market two years back with a vision to present our unique and effective products in this beautiful country. During this short span of time, we have been overwhelmed by the market reception and huge acceptance of our products. Though we have few lists of products at the present, they cater to different segments of consumers. For instance, one of our products, Acnes, used for treatment of pimple has been embraced by a majority of youths, and this has succeeded in establishing it as one of the most preferred product in this segment.
Same is the case with our other products. And the reason is that we are a pharmaceutical company by core nature. Our products are made based on evidence and pharmaceutical knowledge. The advantage of science in our heath care and cosmetic products make it very effective and popular. We have had huge acceptance and good feedback from our consumers here. This has also led us to appoint an authorised dealership in Nepal.
Where does Nepal stand as a market for your products when compared to the global market?
As a leading global health care company, we assume the responsibility to go to everywhere if there is a demand for our products irrespective of the market size. Nepal, as a market, is not so big. The population here is also not that remarkably big. So, from business point of view, it’s not a prolific market because neither we can sell more products nor can we make high income. But we do not think from the business perspective only. Rather as a total health care company, we have a principle to reach everywhere no matter how big or small the demand is. For example, we are number one eye drop manufacturers in the world and we hold a Guinness World Record for it. Nepal is among the highly polluted countries, and a big number of population have eye related problems. We need to come and support? We reach every nation where there are problems which can be addressed by our products. Our goal anyway is to penetrate all countries in the globe.
As a leading global health care company, we assume the responsibility to go to everywhere if there is a demand for our products irrespective of the market size. Nepal, as a market, is not so big. The population here is also not that remarkably big. So, from business point of view, it’s not a prolific market because neither we can sell more products nor can we make high income. But we do not think from the business perspective only. Rather as a total health care company, we have a principle to reach everywhere no matter how big or small the demand is. For example, we are number one eye drop manufacturers in the world and we hold a Guinness World Record for it. Nepal is among the highly polluted countries, and a big number of population have eye related problems. We need to come and support? We reach every nation where there are problems which can be addressed by our products. Our goal anyway is to penetrate all countries in the globe.
What is your company’s strategy for the Nepali market?
It will be based on the feedback and demand of the users here. One of the unique features of our company is investing more and more in the local market for localisation of products rather than globalisation. Yes we are a global player yet we believe in the local approach. So the same products being used by the Japanese customers and Nepali users will be different because they share different physical and environmental conditions. We will keep on developing and introducing products that will be more suitable for the Nepali people. We won’t flood our products here in Nepal but we will tailor them as per demand and suitability of Nepali customers. We will decide year by year as to which brands and products are to be supplied in this market.
It will be based on the feedback and demand of the users here. One of the unique features of our company is investing more and more in the local market for localisation of products rather than globalisation. Yes we are a global player yet we believe in the local approach. So the same products being used by the Japanese customers and Nepali users will be different because they share different physical and environmental conditions. We will keep on developing and introducing products that will be more suitable for the Nepali people. We won’t flood our products here in Nepal but we will tailor them as per demand and suitability of Nepali customers. We will decide year by year as to which brands and products are to be supplied in this market.
Published Date: August 21, 2016, 12:00 am
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