Yomeishu Manufacturing

Basic Information

Stock Code
2540
Industry
Food Products
Category Detail
Food Manufacturing
Prefecture
Tokyo
Establishment Year
June 1923
Listing Year
October 1955
Official Website
https://www.yomeishu.co.jp/
TSE Information
TSE Information
Yahoo! Finance
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Other Companies
Sogo Medical Research Holdings, AFC-HD Ams Life Science, Pharma Foods, Euglena, Base Food, Sumitomo Pharma, Morishita Jintan, Fuji HD, Toyoda Weaving

Overview

Yomeishu Manufacturing is a traditional medicinal liquor manufacturer founded in 1923, boasting strong brand power in the food products industry with its flagship medicinal liquor 'Yomeishu'.

Current Situation

Yomeishu Manufacturing recorded net sales of approximately 10.6 billion yen and ordinary income of approximately 1.48 billion yen for the fiscal year ended March 2023, continuing solid management. Centered on its flagship medicinal liquor 'Yomeishu', it pursues diversified product offerings including liqueurs, pharmaceuticals, health foods, and soft drinks. In recent years, amid rising health consciousness, it has strengthened development of foods with function claims, launching new products like 'Herb's Blessing' to expand into the market. In 2025, it changed its principal shareholder from Taisho Pharmaceutical Holdings and reviewed its capital relationships. Its manufacturing bases are centered on the Komagane Plant in Nagano Prefecture, with a focus on quality control and research and development. Since 2024, under the leadership of President Hideo Tanaka, it is pursuing sustainable growth under a new management vision. It actively engages in social contribution activities such as regional collaborations and herbal utilization to enhance brand value. Moving forward, backed by the expansion of the health food and medicinal liquor markets, it plans to achieve further growth through business diversification and innovation promotion.

Trivia

Interesting Facts

  • Yomeishu production began in 1602, making it Japan's oldest medicinal liquor brand.
  • The founding Shiozawa family boasts a 400-year manufacturing tradition.
  • Herb's Blessing succeeded as a liqueur targeted at younger consumers.
  • 'Kurasuwa' in Suwa, Nagano Prefecture, is a pioneer in health lifestyle complex facilities.
  • Famous actor Masao Kusakari appeared in TV commercials, contributing to brand recognition.
  • Possesses pharmaceutical manufacturing technology with strengths in the pharmaceutical field.
  • Strengthened independence following dissolution of alliance with Taisho Pharmaceutical Holdings.
  • Komagane Plant and Central Laboratory located in Komagane City, Nagano Prefecture.
  • Yomeishu uses a variety of herbs as raw materials.
  • Actively entering the health food field to promote business diversification.
  • Yomeishu boasts a nationwide distribution network.
  • Also handles OEM for cosmetics and functional drinks.
  • Yomeishu-derived Kuro Moji throat candy is one of its popular product brands.
  • Focuses on regional mail order and direct sales channels.
  • Contributes to local revitalization through utilization of local herbs.

Hidden Connections

  • Leveraged pharmaceutical expertise as principal shareholder from Taisho Pharmaceutical Group.
  • Maintains supply chain for traditional Shinshu herbs.
  • Long-term sponsor of TV programs, contributing to brand awareness.
  • High expertise in regulatory compliance for foods with function claims.
  • Strong ties with local governments through regional herb gardens and herbal research.
  • Engages in technical exchanges with other food companies via development of health-oriented beverages.
  • Established base for Asian expansion with branch in Taiwan for overseas ventures.
  • Enhanced brand strength through CM tie-ups with athletes and celebrities.

Future Outlook

Growth Drivers

  • Increasing demand for medicinal liquors and health foods due to rising health consciousness
  • New business opportunities from expansion of foods with function claims market
  • Strengthening new products and brands for women and younger consumers
  • Differentiation strategy through local resource utilization and regional collaborations
  • Channel expansion and brand awareness improvement in Asian markets
  • Growth in digital marketing and EC channels
  • Product innovation through R&D investments
  • Transition to sustainable production processes
  • Revenue diversification via OEM business expansion
  • Enhancement of product lineup for aging society
  • Swift response to changes in healthcare-related laws and regulations
  • Corporate value enhancement through social contribution activities

Strategic Goals

  • Double sales of foods with function claims from current levels
  • Maintain top market share in domestic medicinal liquor
  • Improve brand recognition by 50% in Asia
  • Achieve industry leadership in sustainability standards
  • Reach 30% of sales from digital channels
  • Develop 10 or more new products using local herbs
  • Launch 15 or more new health-related products into the market
  • Enhance and retain employee health support programs
  • Establish quality control system compliant with global standards
  • Expand collaborative projects with local communities

Business Segments

Raw Material Supply for Pharmaceutical Manufacturing

Overview
Handles supply of raw materials for pharmaceuticals and health foods.
Competitiveness
Long years of medicinal liquor manufacturing technology and raw material procurement capabilities
Customers
  • Pharmaceutical companies
  • Health food manufacturers
  • Medical institutions
Products
  • Alcohol for medicinal liquor
  • Raw materials for Kampo medicines
  • Functional food materials

Wholesale & Distribution

Overview
Supplies diverse products to retailers nationwide.
Competitiveness
Stable supply and logistics network
Customers
  • Retailers
  • Drugstore chains
  • Restaurants
  • Health food specialty stores
Products
  • Medicinal liquor products
  • Health foods
  • Alcoholic beverages

R&D & OEM Contracting

Overview
Provides research and development as well as OEM in the functional foods field.
Competitiveness
Abundant research track record and specialized knowledge
Customers
  • Pharmaceutical companies
  • Food companies
  • New business development companies
Products
  • Health liquor OEM
  • Co-development of functional foods
  • Product planning support

Product Supply for Food Service

Overview
Supplies diverse health-related products to the food service industry.
Competitiveness
High customer satisfaction through proprietary products
Customers
  • Cafe chains
  • Hotels
  • Restaurants
Products
  • Liqueurs
  • Health beverages
  • Seasonings

Corporate Gifts & Promotional Items

Overview
Plans and provides corporate gifts and promotional products.
Competitiveness
Customization capabilities for products
Customers
  • Corporate customers
  • Event organizers
  • Promotional agencies
Products
  • Custom gift items
  • Commemorative liqueurs
  • Health goods

Competitive Advantage

Strengths

  • Traditional brand power and recognition
  • Abundant medicinal liquor manufacturing technology
  • Diverse product lineup
  • Stable domestic distribution network
  • Long track record in research and development
  • Material procurement strength through regional collaborations
  • Solid financial foundation
  • Well-equipped manufacturing facilities
  • High-quality control system
  • Experienced management team
  • Adaptability to diverse customer segments
  • Presence in the health food market
  • Strengthening of foods with function claims
  • Immediate effects from TV commercials and advertising
  • Enhanced brand image through regional contributions

Competitive Advantages

  • Outstanding market share and brand recognition in medicinal liquor
  • Pharmaceutical expertise from collaboration with Taisho Pharmaceutical Group
  • Technological capability to manufacture diverse health-related products in-house
  • Established nationwide sales and distribution network
  • Consistent quality control from manufacturing to sales
  • Existence of a central laboratory specialized in R&D
  • Product development fusing tradition and cutting-edge technology
  • Differentiated products using local herbs
  • Business risk diversification through multi-segment strategy
  • Active promotion of environmental and social contributions to enhance corporate value
  • High brand loyalty among specific customer groups
  • Direct sales and marketing strength through own brands
  • Regulatory compliance expertise in pharmaceuticals and health foods
  • Trust relationships with long-term patrons
  • Brand awareness initiatives leveraging TV commercials

Threats

  • Intensifying competition in health foods and medicinal liquor markets
  • Risk of share erosion from new entrant brands
  • Decline in consumption due to pandemics or economic downturns
  • Challenges in adapting to changing consumer demographics from aging population
  • Risk of raw material price fluctuations
  • Potential for stricter product regulations
  • Risk of lagging in technological innovation from competitors' R&D
  • Opportunity loss in channel expansion due to delays in digitalization
  • Delays in product adaptation to shifting consumer health trends
  • Rising costs of imported raw materials from exchange rate fluctuations
  • Risk of natural disasters at manufacturing sites
  • Management instability factors from changes in capital relationships

Innovations

2023: Launch of New Liqueur Products

Overview
Launched new liqueur series such as 'Herb's Blessing' targeted at health-conscious younger consumers.
Impact
Achieved acquisition of new customer segments and sales expansion.

2024: Expansion of Foods with Function Claims

Overview
Developed and launched multiple foods with function claims backed by scientific evidence.
Impact
Contributed to broader support from health-conscious consumers.

2020: Opening of Health Lifestyle Complex Facility 'Kurasuwa'

Overview
Opened a complex facility in Suwa City, Nagano Prefecture, for health food and lifestyle proposals, serving as a brand communication hub.
Impact
Succeeded in regional contributions and brand awareness enhancement.

2023: Opening of Taipei Branch in Taiwan

Overview
Established a branch in Taipei, Taiwan, as part of overseas expansion strategy to strengthen local sales.
Impact
Contributed to brand penetration in Asia.

2024: Strengthening Digital Marketing

Overview
Expanded SNS and online sales to broaden customer touchpoints and appeal to younger generations.
Impact
Contributed to improved brand popularity and EC sales growth.

Sustainability

  • Promotion of sustainable herbal cultivation technologies
  • Improvements in manufacturing processes to reduce environmental impact
  • Resource circulation initiatives in collaboration with local communities
  • CO2 reduction through introduction of energy-saving equipment
  • Strengthened social contributions via health awareness activities
  • Continuous improvements in waste recycling rates
  • Regular publication of CSR reports to enhance transparency
  • Implementation of employee health promotion programs
  • Expansion of environmentally friendly packaging
  • Regional economic revitalization through local herb utilization
  • Thorough provision of safe, high-quality products
  • Establishment and management of sustainable procurement standards