1. The Takasago International Corporation has locations in thirty countries. Why have you chosen the Region of Murcia as your plant’s location in Spain?

We have three main lines of work: fragrances, flavors and chemical perfumes. We use almost 2,000 chemical ingredients in order to produce flavors and fragrances. We have 30 factories distributed in various regions of the world, but only two chemical synthesis plants: the first is in Japan and now we have another in Spain.

In the beginning we didn’t have any plants outside of Japan, but as you know, there is a risk of earthquakes which requires planning for risk management. This led us to look for other locations for manufacturing and product supply.

We looked in the United Status and Europe. In addition, Takasago uses very advanced technology and we require employees who can manage advanced technology in the field of chemistry.

In the end, we found a company called ACEDESA, which became TICSA with our company, but the previous company ACEDESA was perfect for introducing our technology. In addition, the Region of Murcia was generally very stable, including the economy, which is why we chose this company, along with Murcia and Spain.

2. Why do you think your plant in Murcia is one of the company’s most important facilities?

As I mentioned before, we only have two chemical synthesis plants in the world. So, if we were to lose this activity we would not be able to keep up with our competitors in the main lines of work, scents and flavors.
We need a steady supply of materials and we also need reasonably priced ingredients for scents and flavors. This makes TICSA and our plant in Japan very important to us.
 
We only have these two plants manufacturing chemical perfumes, which are integral to us as they make up our main business activities, focused on flavors and fragrances. This activity requires over 2,000 ingredients, which we have to be able to supply to Japan. Therefore, having reliable production facilities is absolutely necessary to our business.

3. Do you think production costs in the Region of Murcia are competitive?

This is a difficult question to answer. We must work on developing advanced technology in order to compete with developing countries.

4. Do you think that factors such as climate, local customs, gastronomy and cost of living in the Region of Murcia influence your company’s activity?

We are manufacturing chemicals, as a chemical company, so environmental factors should not affect this. We would have to make the same products even if we were located in a hot climate where temperatures were above 50º C or a cold climate at -40º C.

Now that we can live here, we don’t need special conditions to develop our products. However, before moving here I lived in Paris, where we did not see the sun everyday.

Here we can certainly enjoy the sunny weather. It is a nice place and the blue sky motivates us, the people are kind and all of that benefits us.

 
5. Did quality of life influence your decision to bring the factory to the Region of Murcia?

That question is a bit difficult to answer as well. Before, a chemical company was not influenced by nature, but currently we have to share our lives with the environment, and we have a lot of factors or circumstances which belong to nature. This is especially the case in Murcia, but it gives us a good challenge to have to live together with nature.

6. Do you think the Region of Murcia is a nice place to live?

Yes, I like Murcia. I just arrived two or three weeks ago, but as I said before, I am enjoying the good weather. It is a little cold now but it’s quite nice.

There are also a lot of people in the city of Murcia, and we can go shopping and do other activities. I’m looking forward to the new airport being closer to the city—that will greatly benefit us.

 

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