Toyo Suisan

Basic Information

Stock Code
2875
Industry
Food Products
Category Detail
Food Manufacturing
Prefecture
Tokyo
Establishment Year
March 1953
Listing Year
September 1970
Official Website
https://www.maruchan.co.jp/
TSE Information
TSE Information
Yahoo! Finance
Yahoo! Finance
Other Companies
Kikkoman, Yutaka Foods, Nichirei, Nissin Foods HD, Marutai

Overview

Toyo Suisan is a leading company in the food products industry founded in 1953, holding a high market share domestically and internationally with instant noodles under the Maruchan brand at its core.

Current Situation

Toyo Suisan recorded consolidated revenue of approximately 489 billion yen and net profit of approximately 55.6 billion yen for the fiscal year ending March 2024, maintaining the second-largest share in Japan's domestic instant noodle market. It has established a strong position in North and Central American markets including the US and Mexico, accelerating its global expansion. In addition to its mainstay instant noodle business, it is balanced across seafood processing, frozen foods, and logistics operations. It is actively investing in innovations aimed at improving product quality and diversification, as well as developing new brands. While reducing environmental impact, it is promoting expansion of overseas sales ratio and sustainable development goals by 2030. In recent years, it has also advanced digital marketing and strengthened e-commerce channels, achieving expanded customer touchpoints through digital transformation. It continues to deploy CMs featuring celebrities and collaboration products to enhance brand recognition.

Trivia

Interesting Facts

  • Maruchan brand holds top market share in instant noodles in the US and Mexico.
  • Ranks 5th in industry share for frozen warehouse operations.
  • "Maruchan" name derives from the company's original trade name at founding.
  • In Mexico, "Maruchan" has become slang and is used as a verb.
  • Achieves fresh noodle-like texture with proprietary non-fried noodle technology.
  • Reflects regional taste differences between eastern and western Japan in products.
  • Dominates North American market through collaboration with US Maruchan, Inc.
  • Commonly abbreviated as "Toysui" and endeared.
  • Long-established Japanese company founded in 1953 with deep history.
  • Long-term use of celebrities like Tetsuya Takeda in CMs.
  • Extremely high variety in noodle types and flavors.
  • Owns large-scale refrigeration capacity of approx. 360,000 tons.
  • Deploys numerous limited products tailored to each region.
  • Established related public interest foundation focusing on food safety.
  • Toyo Suisan is part of the Mitsui & Co. Foods Group.

Hidden Connections

  • Deep relationship with Mitsui & Co., maintaining many transactions.
  • Abandoned manufacturing in Mexico's highlands, relying on exports from the US for local production.
  • Also manufactures PB products for major retailers including Seven & i.
  • Long-term contractor for instant noodles used in airline in-flight meals.
  • Has record of planning collaboration products with manga artist Hiroshi Motomiya.
  • Deeply connected to regional culture and preferences through limited regional products.
  • Has historical background as a former subsidiary of Mitsui & Co.
  • Company emblem and brand marks derive from the original trade name at founding.

Future Outlook

Growth Drivers

  • Expansion of instant noodle demand in overseas markets, especially North and Central America
  • Increasing consumer needs for health-oriented products domestically and internationally
  • Promotion of digital marketing and e-commerce utilization
  • Development of sustainable packaging materials and environmentally responsive products
  • Development of high-quality noodles utilizing technological innovations
  • Expansion of products corresponding to diverse flavors and lifestyles
  • Strengthening construction of resilient supply chains
  • Enhancing customer loyalty through brand value improvement
  • Enriching product portfolios in both business-use and retail markets
  • Active investment and collaboration in new business areas
  • Flexible response to market needs such as regional limited products
  • Strengthening competitiveness through production efficiency and cost reduction

Strategic Goals

  • Expand overseas sales ratio to over 50%
  • Improve sales ratio of environmentally considerate products to 80%
  • Full utilization of AI and digital technology in product development
  • Achieve over 30% reduction in plastic packaging
  • Establish new brands and expand market share
  • Continuous promotion of food safety and quality improvement
  • Strengthen sustainability of supply chains
  • Enrich CSR activities in collaboration with local communities
  • Strengthen responsiveness to diverse customer segments and improve customer satisfaction
  • Scale new business sales to ¥100 billion

Business Segments

Food Service Industry Ingredient Supply

Overview
Stably supplies high-quality ingredients to the food service industry.
Competitiveness
Stable supply capacity through nationwide logistics network
Customers
  • Restaurant Chains
  • Hotels
  • Restaurants
  • School Lunch Providers
  • School Meals
Products
  • Bulk Instant Noodle Packs for Business Use
  • Frozen Instant Noodles
  • Pre-cooked Foods
  • Business-Use Fish Processed Products

Product Supply to Retail and Distribution

Overview
Supports distribution by providing diverse products to various retail channels.
Competitiveness
Established cooperative system through contract production of numerous PB products
Customers
  • Supermarkets
  • Convenience Stores
  • Drugstores
  • Specialty Stores
Products
  • Cup Noodles and Bagged Noodles
  • Frozen Foods
  • Processed Seafood
  • Contract Manufacturing for PB Products

Export Operations and Overseas Market Development

Overview
Promotes product sales and expansion mainly in the US and Mexico overseas markets.
Competitiveness
Strong brand and distribution channels in North America
Customers
  • North/Central American Retailers
  • Overseas Food Distributors
Products
  • Maruchan Brand Instant Noodles
  • Frozen Food Exports
  • Seasoning-Related Products

Logistics and Warehouse Services

Overview
Provides advanced warehouse services to diverse customers in low-temperature logistics operations.
Competitiveness
Large-scale owned facilities and reliability
Customers
  • Food Manufacturers
  • Distributors
  • Retailers
Products
  • Low-Temperature Warehouse and Logistics Services
  • Refrigerated/Frozen Storage
  • Distribution Processing

Seafood Resource Processing

Overview
Performs advanced processing of seafood raw materials and supplies to multiple industries.
Competitiveness
Stable procurement of seafood resources and processing technology
Customers
  • Fishery Operators
  • Food Manufacturers
Products
  • Fish Meal
  • Fish Surimi
  • Fish Processed Products

Competitive Advantage

Strengths

  • Strong brand power 'Maruchan' in domestic instant noodles
  • Overwhelming market share in North and Central American markets
  • Superior manufacturing technology and development capabilities for product diversification
  • Owns manufacturing and logistics bases across the nation
  • Powerful sales and distribution network
  • Established diverse sales channels
  • High-quality management and food safety systems
  • Corporate stance promoting sustainability
  • Innovative product planning capabilities
  • Long market experience and stable management foundation
  • Wide range of instant noodle category products
  • Product improvement capabilities responsive to customer needs
  • Strong marketing capabilities
  • Synergy effects with related subsidiaries
  • Excellent supply chain management

Competitive Advantages

  • Holds No. 2 instant noodle share in North America after Nissin
  • Abundant know-how in instant noodle manufacturing technology and multi-variety rollout
  • High consumer recognition and trust in 'Maruchan' brand
  • Able to respond to regional characteristics with diverse instant noodle product lineup
  • Realizes stable supply by handling consistent low-temperature logistics in-house
  • Built strong sales channels in North and Central America through overseas local subsidiaries
  • Enhancing brand value through extensive advertising and celebrity endorsements
  • Continuously strengthening competitiveness through product quality improvements and new technology introductions
  • Efficient collaboration in raw material procurement and manufacturing with group companies
  • Strengthened sales power adapted to diverse distribution channels
  • Market differentiation through regional limited and collaboration products
  • Covers wide customer base from business-use foods to consumer products
  • Gaining social recognition through sustainability initiatives
  • Financial stability and high profitability compared to competitors
  • Historical background and cultural penetration supporting brand recognition

Threats

  • Intensifying price competition with major competitors
  • Exchange rate fluctuation risks in overseas markets
  • Cost increases due to rising raw material prices
  • Impact of food safety and quality issues on brand
  • Delays in responding to rapid changes in consumer preferences
  • Rising production costs due to strengthened environmental regulations
  • Declining domestic market population and shrinking consumption trends
  • Potential market share loss due to emergence of alternative foods
  • Changes in trade policies and regulations in export destinations
  • Disaster risks to logistics network and supply chain disruptions
  • Decline in competitiveness due to stagnation in innovation
  • Reputation risks on SNS etc. that could damage brand image

Innovations

2024: Development and Launch of New Technology Noodles

Overview
Commercialized new technology dried noodles close to fresh noodle texture and easy to prepare.
Impact
Contributed to increased sales of Maruchan Seimen series.

2023: Health-Oriented Product Rollout for North American Market

Overview
Introduced instant noodle products considering low-fat and reduced salt.
Impact
Successfully appealed to a wide range of North American consumers.

2022: Development of Environmentally Friendly Packaging Materials

Overview
Expanded adoption of recyclable packaging materials.
Impact
Contributed to reduction in plastic usage.

2021: Introduction of AI-Utilizing Demand Forecasting System

Overview
Utilized AI for sales trend prediction to improve production and logistics efficiency.
Impact
Achieved inventory loss reduction and supply stabilization.

2020: Diverse Flavor Expansion in New Product Development

Overview
Researched diverse flavors domestically and internationally to expand product lineup.
Impact
Expanded support from young people and foreign consumers.

Sustainability

  • Promoting reduction in plastic packaging (target 30% reduction by 2030)
  • Operation of eco-factories aiming to reduce environmental impact
  • Expansion of products certified under sustainable fisheries standards (MSC/ASC)
  • Initiatives to reduce CO2 emissions in logistics
  • Implementation of environmental conservation activities in collaboration with local communities
  • Improvement in waste recycling rate
  • Strengthening measures for employee health and safety
  • Promotion of environmentally considerate product design
  • Ensuring transparency in sustainability information
  • Promotion of energy-saving equipment introduction
  • Promotion of plant-derived raw material utilization
  • Comprehensive ESG response including social contribution activities