Case Study 02 · Vietnam → Japan
Developing the agricultural and manufacturing foundations for IQF ultra-thin sweet potato slices, 2020–2026.
Development from 2020/21 · Facility planning ≈2.5 years · Production from 2024 · ≈350 MT by mid-2026
A major Japanese snack and confectionery partner was looking for a Vietnamese manufacturer able to produce IQF ultra-thin sweet potato slices. The specification demanded specialized processing, and early development attempts ran into technical and manufacturing obstacles that stalled the project.
An industry contact then asked Mr. Nobuyoshi Kan for help. He identified a Vietnamese partner willing to commit to the project long-term and, over roughly two and a half years, helped coordinate the planning of the manufacturing capabilities the product required — working with Japanese and Vietnamese partners on facility and process planning, feasibility and long-term business planning.
In parallel, the partners worked in the field — soil evaluation, raw-material testing and cultivation methods — because consistent finished quality depends on the agricultural supply chain, not only the factory. Production began running in 2024, and about 350 MT had been supplied by mid-2026.
Chronology
Years of groundwork came before the first production run. Open any stage for the detail.
2020–2021
Early attempts stalled. An industry contact asked Mr. Kan for help, and he found a Vietnamese partner willing to commit long-term.
≈ 2.5 years
With Japanese and Vietnamese partners, Mr. Kan helped coordinate the planning of the manufacturing capabilities the product required.
2022
The partners worked to improve sweet potato cultivation — consistent finished quality starts in the field.
2024
Production of the IQF ultra-thin slices began running.
2026
About 350 MT supplied cumulatively by mid-2026. Production continues, and the project remains in active development.
What it took
Partner need → a committed manufacturer → facility planning → agricultural development → production → ongoing supply.
01
Staying with a difficult product over several years.
02
Linking soil, cultivation and raw-material quality to the factory's needs.
03
Supporting facility and process planning with Japanese and Vietnamese partners.
04
Aligning investment, production and future demand.
05
Working through the obstacles that had stalled earlier attempts.
06
Keeping Japanese and Vietnamese teams aligned over years.
OMNEX coordinates documentation with the responsible manufacturers, partners and freight forwarders. Official certificates are issued by the competent authorities, and customs clearance is handled by licensed parties.
Some products cannot simply be sourced. The manufacturing capabilities, agricultural foundations and long-term partnerships must first be developed.
Our work is not finished when a supplier is introduced. We remain involved until an opportunity becomes a practical, sustainable commercial relationship.
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Project chronology and figures are based on the project team's records. Mr. Kan's role covered coordination, planning support and advice. This project is separate from the vacuum-fried sweet potato stick project. Partner identities are confidential.
Some products have to be developed — from the field to the factory line. Tell us what you need.
