Ezaki Glico

Basic Information

Stock Code
2206
Industry
Food Products
Category Detail
Food Manufacturing
Prefecture
Osaka Prefecture
Establishment Year
February 1929
Listing Year
March 1954
Official Website
https://www.glico.com/
TSE Information
TSE Information
Yahoo! Finance
Yahoo! Finance
Other Companies
Morinaga, Bourbon, Fujiya, Kanro, Kameda Confectionery, Iwatsuka Confectionery, Kotobuki Spirits, Koike-Ya, Calbee, B-R 31 Ice Cream, House Foods Group

Overview

Ezaki Glico is a major comprehensive food manufacturer headquartered in Osaka, founded in 1929. It manufactures and sells a wide range of products from confectionery to dairy products and retort foods, building strong brands in both domestic and international markets.

Current Situation

Ezaki Glico recorded consolidated sales of 338.5 billion yen and operating profit of 19.3 billion yen for the fiscal year ended December 2021, maintaining solid performance primarily in confectionery, dairy products, and retort foods. Flagship products Pocky and Pretz are long-time bestsellers leading the domestic market. The company is actively expanding overseas, establishing local subsidiaries in Thailand and Shanghai to capture Asian market growth. In innovation, it focuses on packaging technology for safety improvements and environmental considerations such as LED advertising. In 2015, it absorbed and merged Glico Dairy to expand its product lineup. In 2022, it marked its 100th anniversary with a CI refresh and slogan update. In 2024, it experienced a temporary shipment halt due to core system updates but swiftly worked on recovery. Going forward, it will advance product development focused on health trends and sustainability, along with digital transformation, to strengthen competitiveness domestically and internationally.

Trivia

Interesting Facts

  • Launched Japan's first prize-included candy 'Glico' in 1927, originating food toys.
  • Glico sign in Dotonbori, Osaka, is one of western Japan's largest neon signs and a tourist landmark.
  • Packaging designed to prevent resealing after the 1984 Glico-Morinaga incident.
  • Many product names like 'Pocky' and 'Pretz' feature 'Pa-pi-pu-pe-po' sounds.
  • Absorbed and merged Glico Dairy in 2015 to integrate dairy business.
  • Direct vending machine sales of ice cream 'Seventeen Ice'.
  • Operating factory theme park 'Glicopia Kobe' in Kobe since 1988.
  • Dotonbori sign popular with foreign tourists, amplified by SNS.
  • Founder Riichi Ezaki was close with Konosuke Matsushita, deep ties to Panasonic.
  • Ongoing uniform sponsor for Shimizu S-Pulse since 1993.
  • Glico Wagon tours all 47 prefectures for PR and product promotion.
  • Operated fast-food chain 'Glico Alpha' from 1973 to 1993.
  • Retort curry LEE established as popular spicy brand.
  • Goal-in mark appears small on all product packages.
  • Numerous collaboration products with manga and anime.

Hidden Connections

  • Installed neon sign at events in founder's hometown Saga Prefecture for local engagement.
  • Deep ties with Panasonic Group, adopting Panasonic products.
  • Sponsors Takarazuka Revue and Shiki Theatre Company, supporting cultural activities.
  • Long-term sponsor contract with Shimizu S-Pulse, contributing to sports promotion.
  • Diversified sales channels using live vending machine experience.
  • Reorganized group structure through subsidiary sales for management efficiency.
  • Multiple overseas subsidiaries expanding into Asia and Western markets.
  • Leveraged 100th anniversary for CI refresh to enhance brand value and re-communicate corporate culture.

Future Outlook

Growth Drivers

  • Increasing demand for functional foods amid health trends.
  • Brand strengthening strategies for confectionery and dairy domestically and abroad.
  • Expansion of retort and commercial food markets.
  • Production and sales efficiency via digital technologies.
  • Response to growing demand for eco-friendly products and packaging.
  • Accelerated global expansion capturing overseas growth.
  • New product development and existing brand renewals.
  • Enhanced diverse sales channels and direct sales.
  • Corporate value enhancement through sustainability management.
  • Customer base expansion via stronger engagement.
  • Linking food education and health social contributions to business.
  • Strengthened locally adapted product development centered on Asia.

Strategic Goals

  • Achieve over 50% sales ratio from health foods and functional products.
  • Raise overseas sales ratio above 40%.
  • Improve renewable resource usage in packaging to 80%.
  • Reduce CO2 emissions by 40% from baseline year.
  • Maximize operational efficiency through internal DX promotion.
  • Build diverse, inclusive, and engaging workplace.
  • Complete nationwide omni-channel sales rollout.
  • Expand new business sales to 15% of total.
  • Align sustainability goals with international standards.
  • Strengthen CSR activities promoting coexistence with local communities.

Business Segments

Food Ingredients Supply

Overview
Supplies diverse food ingredients, supporting processed food manufacturers.
Competitiveness
High-quality materials and stable supply system
Customers
  • Confectionery manufacturers
  • Dairy product manufacturers
  • Retort processors
  • Health food manufacturers
Products
  • Sugar-based materials
  • Dairy ingredients
  • Nutritional supplement materials
  • Processed curry ingredients

Commercial Foods

Overview
Provides products for food service establishments, contributing to improved meal quality.
Competitiveness
Customization capabilities tailored to needs
Customers
  • Hotels and restaurants
  • Food service chains
  • School meal centers
  • Convenience stores
Products
  • Retort curry
  • Frozen desserts
  • Confectionery sets
  • Beverages

Logistics and Sales Support

Overview
Supports sales channel efficiency and promotes distribution.
Competitiveness
Nationwide logistics network
Customers
  • Retailers
  • Wholesalers
  • Sales agents
Products
  • Product delivery
  • Sales promotion services
  • POS data analysis support

Competitive Advantage

Strengths

  • Strong brand recognition domestically and internationally
  • Broad product lineup and high market coverage
  • Accumulated manufacturing technology and quality control capabilities
  • Market access through diverse sales channels
  • Rich product development and innovation drive
  • Regionally focused sales and promotion activities
  • Stable financial base and strong capital
  • Unique sales models like outdoor vending machines
  • Global expansion via overseas subsidiaries
  • Consumer trust gained through advanced packaging safety technology
  • Quick response to diverse customer needs
  • Excellent supply chain management

Competitive Advantages

  • Brand power backed by 100 years of domestic production
  • Comprehensive strength covering confectionery, dairy, and foods
  • Customer segmentation strategy via regional limited products
  • Swift response in international markets through local subsidiaries
  • Innovative marketing with celebrity endorsements
  • Industry-leading position in product packaging safety
  • Established unique direct sales channel via vending machines
  • Strong transaction relationships with key suppliers
  • Risk diversification through broad product range
  • New product development strength in innovation
  • Active sponsorship of sports and cultural events
  • Robust domestic production and logistics infrastructure
  • Business efficiency gains from information system renewal

Threats

  • Risk of declining consumer trust due to food safety issues
  • Fluctuations in raw material prices and supply instability
  • Market contraction from population decline and changing consumer sentiment
  • Intensifying domestic and international competition for market share
  • Risk of production and logistics disruptions from natural disasters
  • Recurrence risk of core system failures
  • Rising costs from stricter regulations and hygiene management
  • Delayed response to shifts in health-conscious purchasing
  • Impact of exchange rate fluctuations on overseas earnings
  • Challenges adapting to culture and regulations in emerging markets
  • Strengthened regulations on products and packaging due to environmental issues
  • Opportunity losses from lagging digital marketing

Innovations

2023: Core System Renewal

Overview
Completely updated ERP and information management systems to improve operational efficiency.
Impact
Contributes to faster business processing and improved information accuracy

2022: New CI and Corporate Slogan Introduction

Overview
Refreshed CI to coincide with 100th anniversary, renewing brand image.
Impact
Enhanced consumer recognition and brand strengthening

2021: Switch to LED Neon Signs

Overview
Updated Dotonbori sign in Osaka to LED, reducing environmental impact and improving advertising effectiveness.
Impact
Reduced power consumption and improved visibility

2020: Glico Manufacturing Japan Integration

Overview
Consolidated production-related subsidiaries to streamline production structure.
Impact
Cost reductions and improved production flexibility

2024: Enhanced Food Packaging Safety Design

Overview
Thoroughly implementing packaging safety design since 1984 to strengthen consumer protection.
Impact
Maintaining consumer trust and improving product safety

Sustainability

  • Sales strategies and manufacturing process improvements to reduce food waste
  • Introduction of biomass packaging materials to cut plastic use
  • Active participation in local environmental protection activities
  • Introduction and expansion of energy-saving technologies in product manufacturing
  • Ongoing child nutrition and health education programs
  • Strengthened environmental and social considerations in supply chain
  • Advanced food safety and quality management
  • Promotion of local ingredients to support regional revitalization
  • Diversity promotion and creation of employee-friendly work environment
  • Thorough sustainable sourcing of raw materials
  • Transparent disclosure of environmental data and enhanced communication
  • Business activities contributing to circular economy