UZoo-Box has four features designed to attract user companies:

1. A membership-only online system, in which eligibility standards are set so as to ensure the quality of items offered and the trustworthiness of transactions;
2. The Group Box, a function set up separately from the Common Box, which is open to all member companies, for the purpose of allowing groups of affiliated businesses, such as group companies and partner companies, to create an exclusive search and browse setting, in which the first round of bidding is run. If no one responded, the target item can either be moved to the Common Box for a second round of bidding or withdrawn from the marketplace depending on the level of confidentiality required;
3. Anonymity principle, a measure for reducing the risk of any kind of security breach; and
4. A request function for members to post requests for specific items in order to increase the chance of those items being offered by other members.

Furthermore, an inquiry function enables direct price negotiations.

Mitsubishi HC Capital mediates the deal between the offering company and purchasing company by signing separate agreements with each. The purchasing company pays the agreed-on price to Mitsubishi HC Capital, which transfers the payment to the offering company after the offered item has been delivered.

UZoo-Box represents the most pioneering online service project that has ever been promoted by Mitsubishi HC Capital. The company is committed to “enhancing corporate value by evolving our business model through utilizing digital technology and data,” as stated in Our Vision, and was recognized as a DX-certified operator by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry in May 2023. Although it was not easy to undertake the necessary internal coordination, the company has high expectations for the project. Kayoko Kawakami, from the Business Digitalization Strategy Department, is pleased to have received positive testimonials from many users.

“We provided demos to various companies, which ended in March, and received positive feedback from many participants,” she said. “Major praise from offering companies refers to the innovative solution concept and the security of the members-only system. Among feedback from purchasing companies, we were particularly impressed by the strong responses to the backup supplies marketplace. Many of such responses express appreciation for the availability of parts and components for long lead-time production or discontinued production and in a satisfactory condition.”

The project team plans to increase the variety of items to be offered and to enhance the services.

“Currently, transactions are limited to those between previous and new equipment users. We are considering inviting new participants such as manufacturers, training providers, and other suppliers to offer items in our marketplace,” said Hori. “This was inspired by the trend of a growing number of manufacturers providing subscription services to use their inactive equipment. Those companies often face issues with storing such equipment after it is returned at the end of the subscription period. We are planning to invite such companies to offer these kinds of problem items on UZoo-Box to find a match. The service is available for those operates in Japan, however, we are also striving to increase user-friendliness, aiming to establish a cross-industrial digital infrastructure with an eye also on overseas development.”

“We hope that many manufacturing members of the Mitsubishi Group will participate in this project,” adds Kawakami. “In the future, we will create the Mitsubishi Group Box for exclusive use by group companies for selling or sharing unwanted equipment and backup supplies, which will help expand the group’s network and growth. UZoo-Box is still new. We’d like to ask our fellow group companies to use the service and give us feedback for improvement and share relevant information, especially about any difficulties and problems occurring at manufacturing sites. We would greatly appreciate your cooperation.”