Autowave
Basic Information
- Stock Code
- 2666
- Industry
- Retail
- Category Detail
- Specialty Stores & Drugstores
- Prefecture
- Chiba Prefecture
- Establishment Year
- September 1990
- Listing Year
- September 2000
- Official Website
- https://auto-wave.co.jp/
- TSE Information
- TSE Information
- Yahoo! Finance
- Yahoo! Finance
- Other Companies
- Onoya Kiko, Wedge HD, Banners, Hotman, Buffalo, SCAT, IA Group, Fuji Corporation, Autobacs Seven, Yellow Hat
Overview
Autowave is a regionally rooted company established in 1990 in Chiba Prefecture, engaged in automotive supplies sales and maintenance services, as well as various retail businesses.
Current Situation
Autowave's sales for the fiscal year ending March 2024 were approximately ¥8.4 billion, operating income ¥333 million, and net income ¥263 million, maintaining stable operations. It operates multiple automotive supplies stores and vehicle inspection service shops in Chiba Prefecture, focusing on enhancing technical services. In addition to new and used car sales, it has introduced the latest equipment to improve pit services such as quick oil changes, boosting customer satisfaction. It also diversifies revenue through franchise Businesses Supermarket operations, food retail, coin laundry, and bicycle businesses. Compared to competitors, it pursues a regional focus strategy to differentiate from major industry chains. Going forward, it plans to optimize its store network, expand new businesses, and actively contribute to the local community. Backed by a solid financial base, it is pursuing sustainable growth strategies.
Trivia
Interesting Facts
- Operates services centered on Chiba Prefecture with a regional focus management.
- Succeeded in speeding up oil changes with semi-underground pit introduction.
- Entered food retail as a Businesses Supermarket franchisee.
- Focused on supporting safe driving in the local community since founding.
- Diversifying into coin laundry and bicycle businesses.
- Sales for FYE March 2024 were approx. ¥8.4 billion, maintaining stable growth.
- Aggressively introducing latest equipment in shaken & maintenance fields.
- President & Representative Director is Daisuke Hirooka.
- 187 employees supporting local employment.
- Previously had stores in Saitama, Kanagawa, and Tochigi Prefectures.
- Multiple stores in Chiba Prefecture with high local recognition.
- Introduced online reservation system to improve customer convenience.
- Participates in local traffic safety education and environmental conservation activities.
- Bicycle store 'Cycle Wave' is a popular brand.
- Continuously updating shaken equipment.
Hidden Connections
- Influential in food distribution industry as Businesses Supermarket franchisee.
- Strong cooperative relationships with local repair shops through improved automotive maintenance technology.
- Collaborates with logistics industry in Chiba Prefecture to support vehicle maintenance.
- Disseminates local information and campaigns on X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook.
- Strategically important position in competition with major peers Yellow Hat and Autobacs.
- Improved management efficiency and contributed to stable performance through absorption-type merger of subsidiary.
- Collaborates with industry groups to raise standards in local shaken maintenance services.
- Semi-underground pit equipment is rare locally and excels in work efficiency.
Future Outlook
Growth Drivers
- Customer base expansion through strengthened regional services
- Advanced and efficient shaken & maintenance technologies
- Expansion of food retail Businesses Supermarket business
- Innovation in customer services through digitalization
- Introduction of sustainability-compliant equipment & services
- Growth in new business areas (coin laundry, bicycles, etc.)
- Improved convenience of online sales & reservations
- Continuous improvement of employee technical skills
- Strengthened collaboration with local community
- Service quality improvement through equipment investments
- Expanded response to needs in new vehicle markets
- Strengthened franchise support system
Strategic Goals
- Maintain and expand to over 20 stores total in Chiba Prefecture
- Increase shaken & maintenance sales to approx. ¥4 billion
- Expand Businesses Supermarket stores beyond Chiba Prefecture
- Introduce latest energy-saving equipment in all stores
- Expand online service reservation rate to over 70%
- Expand regional share in coin laundry business
- Conduct 20 employee technical training sessions annually
- Strengthen traffic safety programs through regional collaboration
- Introduce traceability system for automotive supplies
- Reduce environmental impact by 50% for sustainable business operations
Business Segments
Automotive Supplies Wholesale
- Overview
- Business wholesaling automotive supplies to repair shops and corporate customers.
- Competitiveness
- Rapid supply network rooted in the region
- Customers
-
- Local repair shops
- Dealers
- Car supplies stores
- Repair shops
- Corporate fleet management companies
- Rental car companies
- Taxi companies
- Logistics companies
- Fleet operators
- Vocational schools
- Products
-
- Tires
- Oil
- Batteries
- Car accessories
- Replacement parts
- Tools & equipment
- Car care products
- Maintenance kits
- Car audio
- Safety devices
Vehicle Inspection & Maintenance Outsourcing
- Overview
- Provides comprehensive vehicle inspections and maintenance services for corporations, maintaining long-term customers.
- Competitiveness
- High-quality work by cutting-edge equipment and technical staff
- Customers
-
- Corporate customers
- Individual vehicle owners
- Car lease companies
- Transportation companies
- Public transportation
- Sales vehicle management companies
- Dealers
- Auto insurance companies
- Local governments
- Welfare vehicle operators
- Products
-
- Shaken agency
- Repair services
- Periodic inspections
- Maintenance work
- Fault diagnosis
- Tire management
- Oil change service
- Emergency repairs
- Body maintenance
- Safety checks
Franchise Business Support
- Overview
- Handles operational support and product supply for franchise stores.
- Competitiveness
- Know-how in regional franchise expansion
- Customers
-
- Food retail stores
- Businesses Supermarket franchisees
- New franchisees
- Store developers
- Logistics companies
- Sales agents
- Marketing companies
- Local partner stores
- Store operators
- Product suppliers
- Products
-
- Store operation support
- Product supply
- Marketing support
- Logistics management
- Training programs
- Promotional materials
- Business efficiency tools
- Quality management support
- Franchise contracts
- Customer management systems
Coin Laundry Operation Support
- Overview
- Business providing operational and equipment support for coin laundry stores.
- Competitiveness
- Efficient operations leveraging regional networks
- Customers
-
- Laundry store owners
- Real estate companies
- Facility managers
- Cleaning service companies
- Equipment maintenance providers
- Suppliers
- Marketing companies
- Security service providers
- Local governments
- User groups
- Products
-
- Equipment installation
- Maintenance services
- Store management support
- Machine sales
- User services
- Energy-saving equipment
- Material supply
- Cleaning supplies provision
- Security measures
- Operation know-how
Bicycle Sales & Maintenance
- Overview
- Expands wide range of services from bicycle sales to maintenance and rentals for corporate clients as well.
- Competitiveness
- Comprehensive cycle services
- Customers
-
- Individual consumers
- Local shops
- Schools & educational institutions
- Local governments
- Corporate welfare
- Sports clubs
- Delivery companies
- Tourist facilities
- Rental operators
- Repair shops
- Products
-
- Bicycle bodies
- Electric bicycles
- Custom parts
- Repairs & inspections
- Safety gear
- Accessories
- Rental bicycles
- Business bicycles
- Maintenance kits
- Transport bicycles
Competitive Advantage
Strengths
- Regionally focused store expansion
- Diversified business areas
- Service quality with latest equipment
- Stable financial base
- Comprehensive maintenance system
- High technical expertise in shaken & maintenance services
- Franchise expansion in food retail
- Quick oil change service
- 対応 to wide customer base
- Robust employee training system
- Flexible business diversification strategy
- Strong ties with local community
- Solid financial position
- Focus on improving customer satisfaction
- Agile management structure
Competitive Advantages
- Strong market share rooted in Chiba Prefecture
- Diversified revenue base including Businesses Supermarket
- High-quality shaken & maintenance using advanced equipment
- Customized services responding to local needs
- Regional focus strategy differentiating from major competitors
- Customer acquisition through wide product lineup
- Scale advantages from franchises
- Customer support through quick pit services
- Attentive customer service approach
- Diverse business contributing to local economy
- High stability and transparency in management
- Employee expertise and team strength
- Reliable execution of medium- to long-term business plans
- Active equipment investments and technology adoption
- Strong community connections
Threats
- Intensifying price competition from major chains
- Growth constraints due to limited expansion outside Chiba Prefecture
- Changes in supplies demand from automotive electrification
- Service pressures from labor shortages
- Risks from fluctuations in raw material & parts prices
- Intensifying competition in franchise business
- Market fragmentation from new entrants
- Reduced consumption from economic fluctuations
- Increased business costs from stricter regulations
- Decline in competitiveness if lagging in technological innovation
- Performance impacts from local economic changes
- Risks to logistics & material procurement from climate change
Innovations
2024: Introduction of Latest Pit Equipment
- Overview
- Introduced semi-underground pits and high-performance tire changers to improve service efficiency and quality.
- Impact
- Improved customer satisfaction and revenue growth through shortened work times
2023: Expansion of Businesses Supermarket Business
- Overview
- Expanded to 7 stores in Chiba Prefecture, strengthening regionally focused food sales.
- Impact
- Enhanced management stability through revenue diversification
2022: Introduction of Digital Customer Management System
- Overview
- Unified management of customer information and service history to improve service quality.
- Impact
- Personalized services and increased repeat customers
2021: Update to Energy-Saving Equipment
- Overview
- Updated store and service equipment to energy-saving types to reduce environmental impact.
- Impact
- Reduced operating costs and improved sustainability
2020: Launch of Online Reservation System
- Overview
- Started web reservations for shaken and oil changes to improve customer convenience.
- Impact
- Improved on-site efficiency through increased reservations
Sustainability
- Introduction of energy-saving equipment in own services to reduce environmental impact
- Promotion of waste recycling and garbage reduction measures
- Active participation in local cleanup and tree-planting activities
- Preparation and promotion of equipment for electric vehicles
- Implementation of environmental education programs for employees
- Promotion of renewable energy utilization
- Establishment and operation of sustainable procurement standards
- Promotion of plastic reduction campaigns
- Expansion of eco-product offerings
- Cooperation in local traffic safety projects
- Promotion of paperless operations
- Environmental awareness activities for local residents