Strategic Planning for Competitive Advantage: Arai Helmets stance to being extraordinary

Strategic Planning for Competitive Advantage: Arai Helmets stance to being extraordinary

According to MKTG, by lamb/Hair/McDaniel, Strategic planning is “the managerial process of creating and maintaining a fit between the organization’s objectives and recourses and the evolving market opportunities “. In other words strategic planning is what makes a business that provides products or services stay close and connected to the truth of the constantly changing realities of the market.  The natures of those realities imply that the Strategic Planning has to be always on the move following the trends and fluctuations of the market. This condition is primordial for the company’s own well being. If the gap between the realities of the market and the process of strategic planning is considerable and is not corrected as soon as possible, the future of the business is jeopardized.

 The most imperative objective of strategic planning is to acquire what marketers call “Competitive Advantage”. The 7^th edition of MKTG, by lamb/Hair/McDaniel defines competitive advantage as “set of unique features of a company and its products that are perceived by the target market as significant and superior to those competition.”  In short: what makes the company stands out to potential customers compared to the rest of the crowd: the completion.

How does Competitive Advantage translate to Arai Strategic planning?

All Arai helmets are meticulously handmade by craftsmen that take 5 years to perfect the art of Arai making. There is no compromise in perfecting every helmet that leave with the Arai name on it. Three separate quality-control department have the privilege and honor to ensure that your Arai is the best that you can have. One after the shell is made, one after painting and graphic completion and one after assembly. This attention to detail isn’t performed on every hundredth of a helmet, or every tenth of a helmet, but on every single Arai.  The community of Arai artisans are so honored to manufacture the ultimate shell that will keep you safe  that they take pride on signing the inside of your Arai.

In addition, Safety makes Arai stands compared to the rest of the helmet community. The company’s motto is: we manufacture Arais not helmet, as Arai exceeds all the industry standards. Arai developed its own standards in reference to safety and is the only motorsport helmet manufacturer that has a helmet that exceeds both Snell and ECE standards. For instance 50% of the formula drivers use Arai helmet for their quality and outstanding safety standards.

Comfort is very important as well, as Arai shells embrace an organic shape that offers a more natural appearance, seals better and conforms more the head’s natural shape for improved comfort, fit, and helps minimize wind turbulence. With that mentioned, Arai is the only manufacturer that offers the pinlock fog-free shield standard on selected models,  that effectively prevents fogging, and misting of the visor even under extreme wet and damp conditions, which makes your ride cleared and safer. Another token of commitment to safety is the emergency release check pads system that allows emergency personnel to safely remove the helmet in case of an impact.

Ultimately and not least, Arai offers a 5 years warranty on all helmets, which exceed by far the two year typical road life of a helmet. This is in addition to the support provided with every Arai helmet sold in reference to parts, as Arai guarantees the availability of parts up to 7 years after the production of a particular model is discontinued.

This is what makes Arai the most excellent manufacturer of helmets in the world.

Arai Helmet, Limited: History and Mission Statement

History of  a legendary Helmet Manufacturer:

 

 

Arai Helmet, Limited was born in 1937 in , by its founder Hirotake Arai, the eldest son of Yuichiroh Arai who manufactured the hats for government office and authorities in Tokyo Japan. 1937 Hirotake Arai established the factory in the city of Ohmiya, Saitama and started manufacturing business for headgears July 22, 1938 Current president, Michio Arai was born as the eldest son in Tokyo 1948 Arai Sewing Company was established to manufacture T-shirts and blouses for export. 1949 Manufacturing headgear started with the construction of workers’ helmets. 1950 Hirotake Arai developed manufacturing helmet shells by heat forming with resins. October, 1950 Arai Hirotake Shoten, Co., Limited was established in Ohmiya, Saitama 1952 Hirotake Arai began manufacturing first FRP (“Fibre Reinforced Plastics”) helmets in Japan. July 7, 1952 Arai Hirotake Shoten, Co., Limited became licensee of Japan Industrial Standards (JIS) for construction workers’ helmets as the first manufacturer in the helmet industries. October, 1952 Arai Hirotake Shoten, Co., Limited started supply of headgears to professional off-road motorcycle racers as the first Japanese “motorcycle helmets”. 1956  Arai Hirotake Shoten, Co., Limited started production with the new trademark “HA” (HA came form the initials of the president’s name Hirotake Arai). 1958 HA started production of motorcycle helmets consisting of FRP outer shell and EPS inner shell that is still common standard for helmet construction today. 1959 Hirotake Arai established “bag moulding” for manufacturing FRP shell with 2-piece, open-close, metal moulds, and the first open face helmet was designed and made with this manufacturing method 1962 Michio Arai came back from the United States and joined Arai Hirotake Shoten, Co. helping his father’s business in the export division. January, 1963 HA produced the first Snell certified Japanese helmet. April, 1963 HA started export business for the United States’ market through USA distributors. August 14, 1964 HA became licensee of Japan Industrial Standards (JIS) for motorcycle helmets. March, 1967 Model R-6M was certified to Snell 1968 standard. First Japanese made full face model was introduced. October, 1971 New trademark, “Arai” was designed and registered. 1972 Introduction of the movable chin piece. 1973 “Arai Hirotake Shoten, Co. Limited” changed to “Arai Hirotake, Co., Limited”. November 16, 1973 Akihito Arai, son of current president Michio Arai, is born. 1977 Arai started motorcycle-racing support with a few Japanese professional motorcycle racers. December, 1977 Arai Helmet (USA), Limited was established. 1978 Japanese emperor conferred decoration upon Hirotake Arai. 1979 First helmet model for exclusive off-road riding was introduced. 1980 One-touch, open-close face shield mechanism was developed and introduced on the market. Basic construction of this machanism became common in helmet industries later. February 28, 1983 Arai Helmet (Europe) B.V. is established at Hoevelaken, The Netherlands 1983 Freddie Spencer won the World GP 500cc Road Race Championship as the first World Champion with Arai. Arai Racing Service introduced 1984 Arai starts sponsorship of Formula One drivers (Keke Rosberg). 1985 Introduction of the eyebrow ventilation in the visor. June 14, 1986 Company founder Hirotake Arai passes away and Michio Arai takes over his father’s company as the President of Arai. December 1, 1986 Current company organisation was established, and its name was changed from “Arai Hirotake, Limited” to “Arai Helmet, Limited”. 1986/1987 season 26 out of the 28 Formula One drivers wear Arai. October, 1988 Arai introduces AdSis (Advanced Shield Instalation System) at the German Cologne show, being the first to offer visor change without the need for tools. 1990 First, of annual recurring, Arai Importers Meeting. June, 1990 Patented Super AdSis (SAL visor system) was applied as further developed version of AdSis. 1993 As the first helmet manufacturer Arai introduced a full 5-Year Limited Warranty. 1995 New premises of Arai Europe opened. 1996 Introduction of the RX-7 model. First model with the Diffuser ventilation system. This model set a new benchmark in motorcycle helmets 1998 Arai Paintshop established 1999 Arai ranks highest in the first J.D. Power and Associates U.S. Motorcycle Helmet Satisfaction Study. 2003 Introduction of the limited edition Chikara model honouring 20-Years anniversary of Arai Helmet (Europe) B.V.. Introduction of the Removal Assist Hood. 2005 Carbon fibre helmets mandatory in Formula One. Arai introduces its first carbon fibre helmet at Magny Cours: the GP-5 RacingCarbon (only available for Formula One drivers). 2006 Opening of the Arai Inspiration Centre (AIC), Hoevelaken, The Netherlands. Patented PB-SNC® Construction developed for the special Formula One helmets. I ntroduction of the VX-3 off-road helmet. First helmet with the Emergency Release System 2008 25 Years Anniversary of Arai Helmet (Europe) B.V.. Akihito Arai and Ingmar Stroeven appointed as managing directors of Arai Helmet (Europe) B.V.. Introduction of Arai’s first carbon fibre car helmet model for commercial use: GP-6 RacingCarbon. Introduction of the new benchmark helmet model in motorcycling: RX-7 GP. First motorcycle model with the wide view SAI visor and the Patented PB-SNC® Construction. 2009 As first manufacturer Arai introduced the Max Vision visor on the market. 2010 More than 50% of the Formula One grid and 30% of the MotoGP riders use Arai. 2010 Introduction of Arai’s first carbon fibre motorcycle helmet model for commercial use: RX-7 RacingCarbon. May, 2011 For the 13th consecutive year Arai ranks number 1 in the J.D. Power and Associates U.S. Motorcycle Helmet Satisfaction Study. 2011 Arai introduces the Quantum with factory fitted SAI Max Vision visor with brow vents.

 

 

 

 

Arai Mission Statement:

The Arai Difference. This simple slogan sums up the entire mission statement for one of the most innovative motorcycle helmet manufacturers in the world. The designers behind the Arai name spend hours and hours coming up with new designs aimed at keeping you safe while offering you the very best in comfort and panache.

Arai began its illustrious career some 60 years ago with the vision of one custom hat maker who had a passion for motorcycles. The same company that Hirotake Arai founded so many years ago is still proudly headed by the Arai family who are still committed to the same core values.

Each Arai helmet is almost 100% handmade by some of the most skilled helmet makers in the world. Before any Arai helmet is placed on the shelf, it undergoes three separate quality inspections that ensure that every Arai helmet is the safest and best helmet it can be.

And Arai takes its commitment to its customers one step further by offering a full five-year warranty on each and every helmet they sell. It’s no wonder that Arai helmets are the number one choice for Formula-1, Nascar, and MotoGP racers.

Arai helmets are constructed from a full fiberglass shell designed to absorb the impact and spread it over the widest area while remaining lightweight. The interior of the helmet is designed to be removable so that you can customize your helmet for the best fit. Each ventilation port is designed to provide the maximum amount of ventilation while maintaining the structural integrity of the helmet itself.

Arai specializes in full faced and half helmets for street bikes and motocross helmets for those customers who choose to take riding to the next level. They also offer a full line of parts and accessories that will allow your new Arai helmet to meet your every need.

Arai helmets are not inexpensive, but in the helmet world, you get what you pay for. Arai offers a helmet that you can be confident and comfortable in all day every day for many years to come, long after their cheaper counterparts have given up. The special attention that goes into creating one of the lightest weight, best balanced, and best center of gravity makes these helmets a standout among their competition. So, the next time you think about replacing your full faced or half helmet, why not think about Arai