S&B Foods

Basic Information

Stock Code
2805
Industry
Food Products
Category Detail
Food Manufacturing
Prefecture
Tokyo
Establishment Year
April 1940
Listing Year
October 1961
Official Website
https://www.sbfoods.co.jp/
TSE Information
TSE Information
Yahoo! Finance
Yahoo! Finance
Other Companies
Kikkoman, Ajinomoto, House Foods Group, Sato Food Industry, Ariake Japan, Hagoromo, Nichirei, Taiyo Chemical, Fuso Chemical Industry, Riken Vitamin, Hasegawa Fragrances, Nippi

Overview

S&B Foods is a major Japanese food manufacturer founded in 1940, holding the top position in the industry for spices and instant curry roux.

Current Situation

S&B Foods achieved consolidated sales of approximately 123.5 billion yen and operating profit of approximately 9.4 billion yen in the fiscal year ending March 2025. It holds the second-largest share in the domestic instant curry roux market and top-class competitiveness in the spice market. Starting with its flagship instant curry roux products, it offers a diverse range of products including spices, retort foods, and packaged cooked rice, supplied through a wide variety of sales channels both domestically and internationally. It has past experience in confectionery and beverage businesses but is currently pursuing selection and concentration, allocating management resources to core areas. In recent years, it has focused on enhancing product value and strengthening brands, while developing new products with sustainability in mind. At the same time, it is strengthening food safety and quality control, improving manufacturing efficiency, and aiming for sustainable growth. Moving forward, it plans to leverage rising health consciousness and expanding demand for instant foods domestically and overseas as growth drivers, maintaining steady performance in the domestic market while expanding and diversifying overseas operations. It is also actively engaged in sports support activities, coexistence with local communities, and efforts to enhance corporate value.

Trivia

Interesting Facts

  • One of Japan's oldest companies to manufacture and sell domestically produced curry powder.
  • Holds the No. 2 domestic share in the instant curry roux market.
  • Japan's largest spice producer with over 100 years of history.
  • The S&B curry can features a design of the National Diet Building.
  • Offers proprietary Spice & Herb series.
  • Once entered the snack food market with a diverse product range.
  • Listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange in 1961 with stable financial base.
  • Has operated a track and field club for nearly 60 years, contributing to sports.
  • Runs aggressive CM campaigns featuring famous actors during year-end and New Year.
  • Previously attempted confectionery and beverage businesses but has withdrawn.
  • Founder from Matsubushi Town, Saitama Prefecture, contributing to local revitalization.
  • Red Can Curry Powder is a long-seller launched in 1933.
  • Has sponsored various TV programs and anime.
  • Promotes global expansion through multiple domestic and overseas subsidiaries.
  • Main competitor in instant curry market is House Foods.

Hidden Connections

  • Founder Minejiro Yamazaki was a pioneer who succeeded in producing Japan's first domestic curry powder, influencing Matsubushi Town's 'Curry Town' brand.
  • The traditional S&B logo is said to be influenced by British curry powder maker C&B.
  • In addition to instant foods, it once ventured into snacks and beverages but withdrew due to intensifying competition.
  • Its track and field club has produced Olympic athletes and marathon silver medalists, showing deep ties to sports.
  • "Our Side Dish Chili Oil" became a temporary shortage hit despite being a late entrant competing with similar products from Momoya.
  • Sells snacks and curry products in collaboration with multiple popular anime, appealing to a wide range of generations.
  • Has long enhanced brand image by featuring actors and celebrities in TV sponsorships and CMs.
  • The Spice Center in Miyamoto Town, Itabashi Ward, Tokyo, is famous as a proprietary blending facility unlike competitors' manufacturing plants.

Future Outlook

Growth Drivers

  • Expansion of health-conscious and functional food demand
  • Growth in domestic retort food market
  • New product development from diversifying spice and herb culture
  • Strengthened overseas expansion and exports
  • Spread of sustainable and eco-friendly foods
  • Improved production efficiency via IoT and AI
  • Expansion of e-commerce channels
  • Multinational product development amid food globalization
  • Targeted marketing to specific customer segments
  • New business creation through OEM and partnerships
  • Food loss reduction and circular society building
  • Revenue growth from premium products via brand enhancement

Strategic Goals

  • Achieve No. 1 domestic share in instant curry roux market
  • Adopt sustainable packaging for all products
  • Achieve 30% reduction in CO2 emissions
  • Increase overseas sales ratio by over 20%
  • Surpass 30 billion yen in sales from new health-oriented products
  • Strengthen business operations aligned with SDGs
  • Enhance food education activities in collaboration with local communities
  • Shorten product development period using AI technology
  • Expand flexible utilization of diverse sales channels
  • Obtain food safety certification for all group manufacturing sites

Business Segments

Commercial Condiments and Spices

Overview
Supplies processed condiments and spices to the food service industry and food manufacturers.
Competitiveness
Superior quality control and product diversity enable stable supply.
Customers
  • Restaurants
  • School meal facilities
  • Food manufacturers
  • Hotels
  • Restaurant chains
Products
  • Instant curry roux
  • Spice mixes
  • Retort food ingredients
  • Commercial spice sets

Export Business

Overview
Expands Japanese brand foods into overseas markets and develops new markets.
Competitiveness
100 years of spice technology and reliability.
Customers
  • Overseas wholesalers
  • Japanese supermarkets abroad
  • Food distributors in Asia and the West
Products
  • Curry powder
  • Instant curry roux
  • Retort food products

OEM Production

Overview
Undertakes contract manufacturing for other companies' brands.
Competitiveness
Flexible production system and high technological capability.
Customers
  • Food manufacturers
  • Retailer private brands
  • Food processors
Products
  • Curry roux
  • Seasonings
  • Seasoning powders

Raw Material Procurement and Development

Overview
Manages raw material procurement and processing in-house to ensure quality.
Competitiveness
Extensive raw material network and procurement strength.
Customers
  • Own and external sites
  • Raw material suppliers
Products
  • Spices
  • Processed raw materials

Commercial Instant Foods

Overview
Manufactures and supplies instant foods for large-scale cooking.
Competitiveness
Manufacturing capacity to handle large orders.
Customers
  • Prepared food manufacturers
  • School meal operators
  • Convenience stores
  • Supermarkets
Products
  • Commercial curry roux
  • Instant soups

Promotional and Event Products

Overview
Provides promotional products leveraging brand strength.
Competitiveness
Experience collaborating with various licenses and copyrights.
Customers
  • Advertising agencies
  • Event planning companies
  • Retailers
Products
  • Limited package products
  • Collaboration products

Food Safety Management Services

Overview
Provides safety management support for high-quality food manufacturing.
Competitiveness
Quality assurance system based on extensive know-how.
Customers
  • Group affiliates
  • Outsourced business partners
Products
  • Manufacturing process inspections
  • Quality management support

Cooking Utensils and Supplies Sales

Overview
Sells utensils and supplies for food manufacturing sites.
Competitiveness
Integrated product development and sales support.
Customers
  • Restaurants
  • Retailers
Products
  • Commercial cooking utensils
  • Packaging materials

Franchise Store Operation Support

Overview
Provides store operation support and product supply through affiliates.
Competitiveness
Utilization of know-how from food manufacturer-operated stores.
Customers
  • Restaurant chains
  • Curry franchises
Products
  • Store operation know-how
  • Product supply

Food R&D Support

Overview
Promotes industry-academia collaboration in ingredient and cooking technology research.
Competitiveness
Technological accumulation from years of experience.
Customers
  • Universities
  • Research institutions
  • Food development companies
Products
  • Joint research
  • Technology know-how provision

Eco-Friendly Packaging Provision

Overview
Packaging solutions aimed at reducing environmental impact.
Competitiveness
Development capabilities in sustainable packaging technology.
Customers
  • Logistics companies
  • Retail companies
Products
  • Recyclable packaging
  • Environmentally friendly materials

Overseas Market Research and Marketing Support

Overview
Provides strategy formulation support for companies expanding overseas.
Competitiveness
Experts familiar with Japan and Asian markets.
Customers
  • Own overseas operations
  • Related companies
Products
  • Market analysis reports
  • Sales strategy support

Competitive Advantage

Strengths

  • Overwhelming brand power in spices and instant curry markets
  • Product development strength backed by long history
  • Diverse product lineup and high quality
  • Strong domestic sales network
  • Advanced manufacturing technology and quality control
  • Unique recipe development capabilities
  • Extensive customer base and reliability
  • Regionally focused sales activities
  • Stable management foundation over 100 years since founding
  • Technology patents in spices
  • Recognition of historic brand and logo
  • Established position in instant food market
  • Product rollout responsive to customer needs
  • Utilization of diverse sales channels
  • Enhanced reliability through ISO food safety certification

Competitive Advantages

  • Maintains No. 2 domestic share in instant curry roux market with stable customer base
  • Provides high-quality products through long years of spice blending technology
  • Market risk diversification through diverse product categories
  • Rapid market response via nationwide sales offices and channels
  • Multi-faceted revenue base through OEM and exports
  • Strengthening planning and development of sustainability-oriented products
  • Brand awareness campaigns leveraging 100th anniversary
  • Differentiation through proprietary spice and herb brands
  • Efficient production and logistics resilient to price competition
  • Gaining consumer support through strong marketing and advertising
  • Strict food safety and hygiene management as source of trust
  • Ongoing introduction of unique products to differentiate from major competitors
  • Maintaining high evaluation and customer satisfaction in food industry
  • Active R&D for entry into new markets
  • Easy collaboration product development via extensive licensing strategy

Threats

  • Risk of shrinking household food market due to domestic population decline
  • Cost increase concerns from raw material price fluctuations
  • Intensifying price competition from fierce inter-industry rivalry
  • Need to adapt products to changing health trends
  • Market share pressure from increasing imports
  • Rising compliance costs from stricter food safety and hygiene regulations
  • Production and logistics risks from natural disasters
  • Impact of exchange rate fluctuations on import/export costs
  • Rapid changes in consumer preferences
  • Intensified competition from new entrants
  • Supply chain disruption risks
  • Potential tightening of food additive regulations

Innovations

2023: Launch of 100th Anniversary Commemorative Products

Overview
Launched red can curry powder roux and curry powder sticks as commemorative items, generating buzz.
Impact
Improved brand recognition and cumulative sales growth

2024: Redesign of Instant Curry Roux Content Volume

Overview
Reduced content from 180g to 144g in response to rising raw material costs while maintaining price.
Impact
Cost optimization and prevention of customer loss

2022: Adoption of New Corporate Message 'There, Spices & Herbs'

Overview
Refreshed brand message to strengthen consumer engagement.
Impact
Enhanced brand value and expanded promotional effects

2021: Development of MSG-Free Instant Curry Roux

Overview
Collaboration with chefs to meet health-conscious needs.
Impact
Opened new customer segments and expanded sales

2023: Expansion of Retort Food Production Lines

Overview
Significantly increased production capacity to meet growing retort demand.
Impact
Accommodates sales opportunities and order increases

Sustainability

  • Introduction and expansion of food waste reduction programs
  • Expanded adoption of environmentally friendly packaging materials
  • Promotion of renewable energy in factories
  • Active use of local agricultural products for regional collaboration
  • Employee health and safety management and workplace environment improvement
  • Formulation of procurement policies considering biodiversity protection
  • Setting plastic waste reduction targets (40% by 2030)
  • Advancing R&D to reduce environmental impact of products
  • Annual publication of CSR reports for transparency
  • Promoting food education as social contribution activities
  • Building sustainable supply chains
  • Formulation of greenhouse gas emission reduction plans