Ichimasa Chokaishi
Basic Information
- Stock Code
- 2904
- Industry
- Food Products
- Category Detail
- Food Manufacturing
- Prefecture
- Niigata Prefecture
- Establishment Year
- January 1965
- Listing Year
- February 1989
- Official Website
- https://www.ichimasa.co.jp/
- TSE Information
- TSE Information
- Yahoo! Finance
- Yahoo! Finance
- Other Companies
- Kyokuyo, Nissui, Maruha Nichiro, Hagoromo Foods, Yokorei, Nitto Best, Senba Seika Kogyo, Natori, STI Food Holdings, Kibun Foods, Okamura Shokuhin Kogyo, Nichimo
Overview
Ichimasa Chokaishi is a leading company based in Niigata Prefecture, founded in 1965, that manufactures and sells food products centered on surimi seafood processed products.
Current Situation
Ichimasa Chokaishi recorded consolidated sales of 35.5 billion yen and net assets of 11 billion yen for the fiscal year ended June 2019, maintaining a stable financial foundation. It holds high competitiveness in the core surimi seafood products sector, with thorough quality management through a regionally integrated manufacturing system and multi-factory operations. In recent years, it has introduced eco-friendly packaging and sustainable production technologies to advance environmental initiatives. By diversifying its product lineup, it is developing refrigerated prepared foods and mushroom businesses, and with the inclusion of its Indonesian affiliate as a consolidated subsidiary in 2023, overseas expansion is also in sight. It is actively pursuing marketing to strengthen brand power and SDGs-related activities to foster coexistence and mutual prosperity with local communities. Looking ahead, it aims to expand market share and achieve sustainable growth by building systems capable of quickly responding to market changes and enhancing new product development.
Trivia
Interesting Facts
- Established in 1965, a longstanding surimi seafood products manufacturer
- Okhotsk crab-flavored kamaboko is the representative product
- First company in Niigata Prefecture certified with Platinum Kurumin
- Awarded Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Prize at national kamaboko contest
- Multiple manufacturing factories deployed across Japan
- Currently features Patrick Harlan from NTT Docomo CMs
- Conducted voluntary recall in 2007 due to allergen labeling issue
- Emphasis on quality with HACCP and ISO9001 certifications for food safety
- Conducts locally rooted events and educational support
- Active promotion using SNS
Hidden Connections
- Had CM contract with NGT48 in the past but withdrew due to assault incident, drawing attention
- One of the main suppliers of surimi items for Seven-Eleven oden
- Built close trading relationships with domestic fishery operators for raw fish paste procurement
- Parent company Nozaki Yugen Kaisha retains influence as largest shareholder
- Pioneer in diversification with mushroom-related businesses like maitake
- Serious entry into overseas business expansion via Indonesian subsidiary
Future Outlook
Growth Drivers
- Increasing demand for low-fat, low-calorie foods amid rising health consciousness
- Expansion of overseas markets centered on Southeast Asia
- Enhanced brand value through SDGs-compliant products and services
- Expanded market coverage via diverse sales channels
- Advancement of differentiation through new product development and technological innovation
- Strengthened customer base with combined processed foods and fresh vegetable proposals
- Improved reliability through stronger collaboration with local communities
- Expanded use of digital marketing
- Ongoing investments in talent development and production efficiency improvements
- Environmental impact reduction technologies and renewable energy utilization
Strategic Goals
- Achieve overseas sales ratio of over 20%
- Reduce plastic packaging by 50% by 2025
- Target 30% sales ratio for health-oriented products
- Promote product development contributing to SDGs achievement
- Set energy-saving and CO2 emission reduction targets for all factories
- Build symbiotic model through collaboration with local communities
- Continuously expand diverse product lineup
- Improve production efficiency through DX (digital transformation)
- Strengthen safe and secure food supply system
- Thorough implementation of employee health and job satisfaction improvement measures
Business Segments
Commercial Food Ingredients Manufacturing
- Overview
- Supplies high-quality surimi seafood products and prepared foods for business wholesale, with a stable order base.
- Competitiveness
- Stable production across multiple factories and safety management with HACCP certification
- Customers
-
- Supermarkets
- Convenience stores
- Restaurant chains
- Hospitals and welfare facilities
- School lunch providers
- Hotels
- Products
-
- Surimi products bulk packs
- Oden ingredient sets
- Ready-to-cook refrigerated prepared foods
Raw Material Procurement and Supply
- Overview
- Provides stable supply of high-quality fish paste and raw materials with short delivery times.
- Competitiveness
- Established traceability and strong procurement capabilities
- Customers
-
- Food manufacturers
- Surimi producers
- Feed manufacturers
- Trading companies
- Products
-
- Fish paste
- Processed fish raw materials
- Frozen food materials
Overseas Sales
- Overview
- Focuses on developing new markets by supplying products through local agents mainly in Southeast Asia.
- Competitiveness
- Supply system strengthened by establishing local corporations and consolidated collaboration
- Customers
-
- Retailers in Asia
- Food exporters
- Local agents
- Products
-
- Surimi product exports
- OEM products
- Frozen prepared foods
Competitive Advantage
Strengths
- Regionally rooted manufacturing lines and product development capabilities
- Diverse product lineup and high brand recognition
- Quality assurance system with HACCP and ISO certifications
- Production stability through multi-factory operations
- Promotion of sustainable environmental initiatives
- Strong sales network base in local Niigata
- Diverse sales channels
- Accumulated technology in surimi seafood products
- Efficient raw material procurement network
- Strong relationships with local communities
Competitive Advantages
- Superior quality control and safety compared to competitors
- Meets diverse customer needs with a wide range of products
- Overwhelming recognition and brand trust locally
- Customization capabilities with flexible production system
- Differentiation through expanded sustainability-focused products
- Advanced core fish paste processing technology
- Honest corporate stance with food labeling focused on safety
- Market expansion power through diverse sales channels
- Advancement into overseas markets via consolidated subsidiaries
- Long track record and expertise as a food manufacturer
Threats
- Unstable surges in seafood raw material prices
- Competitors' technological innovations and price competition
- Shifts in consumer needs due to changing health awareness
- International supply chain risks for raw materials
- Concerns over reduced catches due to climate change
- Strengthened food safety regulations and compliance costs
- Rising production costs from labor shortages
- Export price impacts from currency fluctuations
- Challenges in maintaining and improving brand image
- Rapid changes in consumer trends
Innovations
2023: Indonesian affiliate made consolidated subsidiary
- Overview
- Expanded overseas expansion base by making Indonesian affiliate a consolidated subsidiary.
- Impact
- Strengthened sales channels and production capacity in Southeast Asia market.
2022: Introduction of environmentally friendly packaging
- Overview
- Began sequentially adopting bio-based material packaging to reduce plastics.
- Impact
- Contributes to reduced environmental impact and improved CSR evaluation.
2021: Expansion of ISO9001:2015 certification
- Overview
- Strengthened quality management systems across multiple internal departments.
- Impact
- Achieved improved manufacturing quality and customer satisfaction.
2020: Development of new health-oriented products
- Overview
- Launched low-fat, low-calorie surimi products to develop new markets.
- Impact
- Successfully acquired health-conscious customer segment.
2024: Strengthened SDGs promotional activities
- Overview
- Launched advertising campaigns highlighting sustainable ingredients and reduced environmental impact.
- Impact
- Contributes to improved brand image and increased support from younger demographics.
Sustainability
- Promotion of plastic packaging reduction plan
- Thorough procurement of sustainable seafood raw materials
- Active participation in local environmental protection activities
- Workstyle reforms and health promotion for employees
- Implementation of food loss reduction campaigns