Turning a Kindergarten Into a Factory: Reflections on the Factory Relocation

In January 2026, Nice Corporation relocated the factory that had served as its workplace for many years. As the company revisited its long-term vision, it became increasingly clear that the existing facility could no longer fully support the future it hoped to build. Creating an environment that could accommodate evolving production needs while providing a more comfortable and functional workplace for employees became an important motivation behind the move. In this interview, Ikuma Izutsu reflects on the thinking behind the relocation, the importance of creating a workplace that supports the people who work there, and the possibilities that a new environment can open up for both manufacturing and the local community.

 

Your new headquarters factory was formerly a kindergarten. What led you to choose this location?


We want to remain a company that combines the craftsmanship cultivated through the history of “Made in Kojima” with the perspectives of a new generation. As we thought about what would be needed to pursue better manufacturing, we came to believe that it was important for our factory to be rooted in a place with a cultural background and a strong connection to the local community.


We first came across this building about a year and a half ago. As a former kindergarten, it carries traces of the many people who spent time here over the years. There is a warmth to the place that evokes a sense of nostalgia and familiarity.


Renovating an existing building also significantly reduces CO₂ emissions and construction waste compared to building a new facility from the ground up. In that sense, the project reflects the environmental values encouraged by B Corp.


Looking back, we feel fortunate to have encountered a place like this at exactly the right moment. It has become one of our greatest assets.



What do you like most about this factory?


One of my favorite things is the abundance of windows and the way fresh air moves through the building. Nearby is Ko Hachimangu Shrine, a place deeply connected to the history and culture of the area.


Its annual festival has been designated an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property by Okayama Prefecture. Held each year on the second Sunday of October and the day before, the festival features danjiri floats and a Chitose-raku float racing up the shrine’s steep approach. It is considered one of Okayama’s three major danjiri festivals and attracts many visitors.


I’m looking forward to experiencing these local traditions and cultural events together with our team. Having the opportunity to connect with the character of the region in this way is something I’m genuinely excited about.

What kind of factory do you hope to build in the future?


Five years passed between becoming the company’s representative and relocating the factory. During that time, I found myself constantly reflecting on the future. I felt a growing sense that simply continuing to do things the way we always had would not be enough to sustain ourselves in the years ahead. That is why I believed we needed to keep changing. Transforming a former kindergarten—a place with its own cultural history—into a factory was part of that decision.


Choices like this come with responsibility. More than ever, I want us to continue creating products we can take pride in and to support creative work in Japan and beyond through high-quality manufacturing.


I also hope to make this factory a place where people from the local community can gather. We would like to host events such as denim-dyeing workshops in collaboration with local dyeing companies, as well as flea markets and other community activities. Through these events, we hope to create opportunities for people to connect with one another.


There are also several factories nearby with whom we have long-standing relationships, and I would love to plan events together with them. For example, we could hold factory tours at multiple locations during the same period, allowing visitors to enjoy moving from one workshop to another. We could also invite local food shops and food trucks to participate, creating opportunities to enjoy locally sourced food alongside the manufacturing experience. Thinking about these possibilities is really exciting.


Compared to our previous factory, this new space also allows for a more comfortable production environment. We are planning a project room and lounge called the “Meeting Lounge,” which will function as both a workspace and a place to welcome visitors. We hope it will become a showroom-like space where ideas can be shared more freely and comfortably.


The building also includes a spacious hall that once served as the kindergarten’s playroom. We plan to install a kitchen counter there, creating opportunities to prepare and share meals together as part of daily life at work. We would also like to provide a place where employees with children can bring them and spend time comfortably.


It will always remain a manufacturing factory, but we hope it can become more than that—a place that brings comfort and inspiration to everyday life. At the same time, we want it to have something of the atmosphere of an atelier: a place where collaborations across industries and new forms of creativity can emerge.


One example of these new initiatives is NC PRODUCTS, through which we create lifestyle products such as cushion covers and rugs. Our Patchwork Line focuses on leftover and scraps denim fabrics generated during the manufacturing process.


Denim offers a wide range of textures and expressions while also being exceptionally durable. Because the Patchwork Line is made using leftover fabrics and scraps generated during the manufacturing process, the materials and colors available vary from one production run to another. Bringing these different fabrics together through patchwork allows us to explore new possibilities while applying the sewing techniques we have developed over many years.


Looking ahead, we would also like to take on more technically challenging and complex projects through collaborations with partners from different fields. Within the factory, we plan to open a shop where visitors can purchase NC PRODUCTS as well as carefully selected products made by local creators and businesses.


We believe that providing a place where people can see, touch, and experience products firsthand will help them feel closer to the work we do. Looking further ahead, we hope to go beyond fashion and create opportunities for collaboration with fields such as interiors and architecture. Ultimately, we want this factory to become a place where creativity can move across disciplines and new collaborations can take shape.



We also spoke with Nanayo Hayashi, who works in production management, to hear her honest thoughts about the relocation.


When I first heard that we were turning a former kindergarten into a factory, I was genuinely surprised. One of the things that immediately stood out to me was the abundance of natural light. The previous factory was not particularly dark, but I think being able to work while surrounded by sunlight will make a real difference to how people feel throughout the day.


I have never worked in another factory, but one thing I already appreciate about the new space is that it seems to offer many places where people can spend time quietly on their own when needed. Having a workplace that combines open space with areas where you can focus and feel at ease is ideal.


The sewing area, meeting spaces, and other functions are clearly separated, yet it remains easy to see what is happening throughout the factory. I think that visibility helps everyone better understand what others are working on and creates a stronger sense of connection.


The relocation feels like a fresh start. I’m excited to see the new energy and possibilities that this space will bring.

We also spoke with Yubiko Matsumoto, who has been with the company for many years.


I’m excited about the new initiatives that may come from this move. Turning a former kindergarten into a factory feels like it has the potential to become a place where many different people can gather and connect.


My life has largely revolved around work, so I would be happy if this place led to new encounters and relationships. The larger space also seems likely to create a better balance between working time and break time. I can already imagine sitting on a bench outside and enjoying a moment to relax.


Every morning, we begin the day together with radio exercises (a traditional Japanese morning exercise routine). I think being able to do that in a more open and spacious environment will make the experience even more enjoyable.

Text：Seika Yajima

Photo：Shin Hamada