In May 2025, B-EN-G entered into strategic partnerships with two European-based IT consulting firms. One of the partners, Dr. Axel Henning Saleck (hereinafter referred to as Dr. Axel), is an experienced international project expert who, as the former head of SAP 's global technology collaboration hub "Co-Innovation Lab," built a global Co-Innovation Lab network that extends to the United States and BRIC countries. Why did Dr. Axel decide to collaborate with B-EN-G? We asked him about the background of the partnership and the business possibilities that this Japan-Europe collaboration will bring.
Dr. Axel Henning Saleck
Dr. Axel Henning Saleck
Representative of Saleck Consulting GmbH.
After a career as a physicist, he joined SAP in 1996. He held positions in product development for Latin America and as Deputy Director of the SAP Japan Development Center, before becoming Head of the Global Co-Innovation Lab, where he established technology collaboration bases in the United States and BRIC countries. After becoming independent, he continues to support international SAP projects and the global expansion of manufacturing companies.
In May 2025, SAP formed a strategic partnership with B-EN-G and msg Plaut, focusing on its global expansion, and is acting as a bridge connecting manufacturing industries in Japan and Europe.
B-EN-GEncounter with
20 The reason why I was chosen as your "first partner" years ago
Mr. Axel first encountered B-EN-G about 20 years ago. After transitioning from a physics researcher to SAP, Mr. Axel came to Japan in 2004 after working on product development for Latin America. At SAP Japan, he proposed the establishment of a new department to promote technological collaboration with partner companies, with the aim of combining SAP 's latest technologies with the technological capabilities of Japanese companies.
B-EN-G was the company that responded to that concept.
"B-EN-G was the first partner to build a specialized team for the latest architecture that SAP was promoting. While many of SAP 's partners in Japan at the time took a conservative approach, B-EN-G 's attitude was completely different. When they found good technology, they would immediately act, saying, 'This is great, everyone should use it.' It was a natural progression that B-EN-G, with its challenging attitude, became our first partner."
Objectives of the Strategic Partnership
Why now is cooperation with Europe important?
In the 20 years since then, the global business environment has changed dramatically. Both Japan and Europe, despite being mature economic zones, face the common challenge of having to adapt to a changing world. Axel points out that "neither can succeed if they remain isolated."
B-EN-G has primarily focused its global expansion on Asia. However, in recent years, it has seen an increase in inquiries from its Japanese manufacturing clients regarding expansion into Europe and the Americas. Seeing this trend as an opportunity, B-EN-G has embarked on a partnership with Europe.
"The world is becoming increasingly unpredictable, but global business activities are essential for many Japanese companies. B-EN-G 's client companies' businesses are not limited to Asia. By mutually supporting the European expansion of Japanese companies and the Asian expansion of European companies, we aim to realize new growth opportunities and global value creation that transcend national and regional boundaries. That is the purpose of this partnership."
When asked why he recommended msg Plaut as a partner to support B-EN-G's global expansion of its SAP business, Axel cited "trust" as the most important factor.
"msg Plaut and B-EN-G are similar in size, and both possess extensive knowledge and experience in the ERP business and the manufacturing sector. Therefore, we are able to learn from each other as valuable discussion partners, and our business areas are complementary. Rather than short-term, project-based collaborations, we aim to leverage our respective strengths to provide the best possible service to our customers based on a long-term relationship of trust. We believe this partnership will create new value."
Axel describes his role as the "glue" that connects the two companies. His experience building bases in the US, Brazil, India, and China during his time at Co-Innovation Lab, where he bridged different cultures and organizations, supports this role.
From a consulting firm to a company that also owns products.
Things that have changed in 20 years
So, what does Axel, who has observed B-EN-G for many years, think of the current B-EN-G? The biggest change Axel points to is "the evolution into a company that also has its own products."
"Twenty years ago, mcframe had a small market share and was still a developing product. Now, it has grown into a product that can be considered the de facto standard in the manufacturing supply chain domain. B-EN-G started as a consulting company, but now it also has the face of a product company. We have steadily established ourselves as a product company, with a standardized development system, expert support, cloud compatibility, and a rollout strategy."
Axel further elaborates on the unique aspects of B-EN-G:
"B-EN-G is not only Japan's first SAP partner, but also possesses deep expertise in specific industries. In addition, they develop their own products such as mcframe and GLASIAOUS. The combination of their consulting capabilities and product strength makes B-EN-G a unique entity."
Bringing the knowledge of Japanese manufacturing to the world.
mcframe 's European expansion
In addition to expanding the SAP business, Mr. Axel also has high expectations for the European expansion of mcframe.
"Through mcframe, B-EN-G can deliver the practices cultivated in Japanese manufacturing sites to Europe. This is not limited to the manufacturing bases of Japanese companies. Eastern European manufacturers, in particular, have a flexible and positive attitude towards new approaches. On the other hand, Japanese companies also have the opportunity to learn valuable practices from European manufacturing sites. mcframe is a flexible solution that can incorporate the knowledge of both sides."
Axel believes that creating relationships where people from different backgrounds can openly converse is essential to realizing these developments. Based on this idea, Axel is not only collaborating as a partner, but is also involved in strengthening the international communication skills of B-EN-G employees (Globalization Club), and is supporting B-EN-G 's global expansion in a multifaceted way.
With this support as its strength, B-EN-G will further accelerate its efforts to expand into Europe and move forward to a new stage in its global business.
