Mitsui rightsizes & redesigns APAC HQ into a hub for collaboration and efficiency

JLL worked with Mitsui & Co. to transform its Asia Pacific headquarters in Singapore within the same office building, to enhance collaboration and productivity.

Mitsui & Co. (Asia Pacific) is on a mission to build a brighter future for its people.

Post-pandemic, the multinational found it critical to align its workplaces with its needs in an evolving hybrid activity-based model of work spearheaded by its global headquarters in Japan.

For its regional headquarters in Singapore, Mitsui envisioned a workspace that fostered collaboration, innovation, and employee well-being. To achieve this, the company partnered with JLL to undertake a comprehensive workplace transformation.

Mitsui worked with JLL for a holistic approach in transforming its Singapore office to better meet boardroom objectives and employee needs.

Our experts across office leasing advisory, workplace strategy, design consultancy, change management, and project management ensured an integrated solution and a seamless process for the organisation and its employees.

To rightsize without compromise on functionality, our Workplace Strategy team sought to better understand what the firm needed from its office, including business objectives, operational challenges, work patterns, and employee preferences.

We conducted workshops, surveys, and one-on-one interviews with Mitsui’s C-suite executives and employees to gain insight into how Mitsui used its space and unlock opportunities for improvement.

This data-driven approach enabled us to develop a tailored workplace strategy focusing on more spaces for interaction, more options for work settings, and more integrated technology to improve efficiencies.

With better office space utilisation, Mitsui was even able to have two of its affiliate companies share the premises.

Mitsui’s preference was for its APAC headquarters to remain in its current location at the premium Asia Square Tower 2 and wanted to get the best out of the lease renewal.

With the rightsizing workplace strategy in place, JLL's Office Leasing Advisory (OLA) team evaluated Mitsui’s current building against a shortlist of suitable alternatives for the firm’s peace of mind.

Leveraging the possibility of a full restack of its premises, we managed to secure a cost-effective lease renewal for Mitsui at more favourable terms.

Mitsui recognised that a successful workplace transformation requires employee buy-in.

In a change readiness assessment, we discovered significant resistance from Mitsui’s employees towards the new, more agile way of working, as many had strong attachments to the Mitsui brand and the current work environment.

Our robust change management strategy kept Mitsui’s employees highly engaged throughout the transformation process.

For example, we coached Mitsui’s senior leadership for townhall meetings to ensure that their messages effectively addressed employee concerns and fears about the new office and the transformation process.

Mitsui’s leaders were able to build excitement among the staff towards their new workplace and embrace the new flexible activity-based work environment.

JLL's design approach for Mitsui prioritised flexibility and collaboration.

By blending Japanese aesthetics with elements of local Singapore culture, our Design Solutions team created a modern workspace that reflected Mitsui's heritage while embracing the future of work.

From defining layouts to selecting chairs, Mitsui employees played an active role in shaping their new work environment. This collaborative approach ensured the workplace aligned with their needs and preferences and fostered a sense of ownership.

The new workplace features a variety of zones designed to support diverse work styles. Employees enjoy the flexibility to choose the right work setting for their tasks, from open collaboration areas to quiet focus spaces, and technology-enabled meeting rooms.

Sustainability remains integral to Mitsui’s office design. Besides incorporating biophilic elements, our designers selected features and build materials that minimised environmental impact.

One highlight is the work café – a central hub for social interaction and collaboration designed for flexibility and comfort, where employees can recharge or share ideas.

Mitsui also faced the challenge of transforming its APAC headquarters within a tight timeframe while balancing cost efficiency.

Taking an agile approach, our Project Management team could anticipate and mitigate potential hurdles. By streamlining communication and coordination across teams and vendors, we ensured that the fit-out process was smooth with minimal disruptions.

Mitsui’s new APAC headquarters has had a profound impact on employee satisfaction.

With department collaborations increasing by 34%*, and employee productivity up by 26%*, Mitsui’s new Singapore office has proven to be an asset to its business and people.

*A post-move survey, with a 71% employee response rate, was conducted from 6 to 27 March 2024 to assess the impact of the office move on department collaboration and employee productivity, comparing levels before and after the move.