Ajikan

Basic Information

Stock Code
2907
Industry
Food Products
Category Detail
Food Manufacturing
Prefecture
Hiroshima Prefecture
Establishment Year
March 1965
Listing Year
December 1990
Official Website
https://www.ahjikan.co.jp/
TSE Information
TSE Information
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Other Companies
Kyokuyo, Nissui, Maruha Nichiro, Hiyori San, Hagoromo Foods, Yokorei, Nitto Best, Senba Tokka, Natori, STI Food Holdings, Kibun Foods, Okamura Food Industry, Nichimo

Overview

Ajikan is a food manufacturer founded in 1965 specializing in rolled omelets, holding a high market share in prepared foods, frozen foods, and health foods sectors based in Western Japan.

Current Situation

Ajikan achieved consolidated sales of 50.2 billion yen and net profit of 1.5 billion yen in the fiscal year ended March 2024, maintaining a top-class position in the commercial rolled omelet market. Centered in Western Japan, it is strengthening its expansion into the Eastern Japan market, with sales of roasted burdock tea as a health food growing to about 3.3 billion yen. In aggressive new material development, it developed burdock-derived chocolate-flavored material 'MelBurd' in 2023, aiming for new product deployments. It secures a stable production system utilizing multiple domestic factories and overseas subsidiaries. Moving forward, it will focus on expanding the Eastern Japan and overseas markets, developing health-oriented products, strengthening sustainability, and aiming for sustainable growth. It is also promoting supply chain efficiency and digital transformation, concentrating efforts on maintaining competitiveness in the prepared foods industry.

Trivia

Interesting Facts

  • Company name derived from the Buddhist meditation practice 'Ajikan'
  • Burdock tea production expanding domestic share amid health trends
  • Top-class share in Western Japan for commercial rolled omelet production
  • Proprietary seasoned kampyo highly rated in the roll sushi industry
  • Developed proprietary material MelBurd in 2023, drawing attention
  • Multi-product food production enabled by 5 nationwide owned factories
  • Expanding into China market via overseas subsidiaries
  • Strength in product development balancing tradition and innovation
  • Health foods sector shows high sales growth, poised as future pillar
  • Strong local trust in Hiroshima as a community-based company
  • Achieved stable logistics quality with proprietary delivery network
  • Implemented quality management system using digital technology
  • Products used in school lunches and nursing home menus
  • Established Moriya factory to expand into Eastern Japan market
  • Focusing on general consumer sales via mail order

Hidden Connections

  • Hiroshima Bank as major shareholder fosters strong ties with regional finance
  • Founding Ashikaga family remains major shareholder supporting management stability
  • Direct access to East Asian market through Chinese processing subsidiary
  • Burdock tea business achieved partnerships with health food specialist manufacturers
  • Commercial rolled omelets maintain long-term relationships with major Western Japan supermarkets
  • Advancing food logistics efficiency via ties with warehouse logistics firms
  • Roll sushi kampyo supplied to major domestic conveyor-belt sushi chains
  • Core rolled omelet manufacturing technology collaborates with local culinary schools

Future Outlook

Growth Drivers

  • Expansion of prepared food market and rising processed food demand
  • Growth of functional foods like burdock tea due to heightened health awareness
  • Sales growth from Eastern Japan and overseas expansion
  • Differentiation via new materials and product development
  • Productivity gains from digitalization and automation
  • Enhanced corporate value through sustainability efforts
  • Sales network expansion via logistics optimization
  • Balanced strategy of local roots and national rollout
  • Securing stable commercial food demand
  • Business foundation strengthening through capital partnerships
  • Intensified marketing to new customer segments
  • Capturing health and beauty markets

Strategic Goals

  • Achieve sales exceeding 70 billion yen
  • Expand Eastern Japan and overseas sales ratio to over 40%
  • Raise health-related product sales share to 30%
  • Complete energy-saving and environmental load reductions across all factories
  • Accelerate commercialization and market launches of new materials
  • Further advance manufacturing process automation and DX
  • Promote CSR through deepened community ties
  • Establish sustainable raw material procurement
  • Achieve 50% plastic-free packaging ratio
  • Realize employee diversity and improved work-life balance

Business Segments

Commercial Rolled Omelet Manufacturing

Overview
Manufacturing and sales of commercial rolled omelets characterized by stable supply and high quality.
Competitiveness
Western Japan's largest dedicated commercial rolled omelet manufacturer
Customers
  • Restaurant chains
  • Prepared food manufacturers
  • School lunch providers
  • Food wholesalers
  • Supermarkets
Products
  • Rolled omelets
  • Dashi rolled omelets
  • Sweet rolled omelets
  • Frozen rolled omelet products

Health Foods and Health Food Business

Overview
New growth segment mainly through mail order, responding to health trends.
Competitiveness
Differentiation via material development capabilities and patented technologies
Customers
  • Health food retailers
  • Mail order operators
  • Drugstores
  • Overseas markets
  • Retail chains
Products
  • Roasted burdock tea
  • Burdock processed products
  • Functional food materials

Seafood Processed Products Manufacturing

Overview
Seafood processing field focused on traditional ingredients, processing, and sales.
Competitiveness
Long-cultivated sushi ingredient processing technology
Customers
  • Sushi chains
  • Prepared food manufacturers
  • Commercial food wholesalers
  • Food service industry
Products
  • Seasoned kampyo
  • Sushi toppings
  • Kamaboko
  • Surimi products

Frozen Food Manufacturing and Sales

Overview
Providing diverse frozen foods for commercial use and prepared meals.
Competitiveness
Broad product lineup and factory network
Customers
  • Convenience stores
  • Supermarkets
  • Prepared food manufacturers
  • Food wholesalers
Products
  • Frozen fried foods
  • Frozen prepared foods
  • Frozen cut vegetables

Logistics and Transportation Services

Overview
Logistics service business centered on group companies.
Competitiveness
High-quality logistics via dedicated transport network
Customers
  • Ajikan Group
  • Food manufacturers
  • Retail stores
Products
  • Frozen and refrigerated transport
  • Warehouse management
  • Chartered transport

Competitive Advantage

Strengths

  • Top-class rolled omelet manufacturing technology in Japan
  • Multi-product health food development capabilities
  • Strong regional base centered in Western Japan
  • Stable production network and logistics system
  • High product quality and brand trust

Competitive Advantages

  • Multi-faceted product deployment and development responding to market needs
  • Unique materials and technologies in health-oriented products
  • Strong customer base and sales network in prepared foods and commercial markets
  • National network via East-West bases
  • Expansion in China market through overseas subsidiaries

Threats

  • Risk of rising raw material prices
  • Domestic market shrinkage due to declining birthrate and aging
  • Competitive pressure from major rivals
  • Cost increases from stricter food safety standards
  • Exchange rate fluctuation impacts on import/export costs
  • Demand shifts from changing health trends
  • Production base risks from natural disasters
  • Raw material and parts delays from logistics disruptions

Innovations

2023: Development of MelBurd Material

Overview
Developed burdock-derived chocolate-like new food material and deployed in confectionery manufacturing.
Impact
Contributes to opening new markets and achieving differentiation.

2022: Expansion of Roasted Burdock Tea Business

Overview
Expanded health-oriented roasted burdock tea from mail order to over-the-counter products.
Impact
Grew to annual sales scale of 3.3 billion yen.

2021: Introduction of Production Automation Equipment

Overview
Introduced latest automation lines in main factories to enhance productivity and quality.
Impact
20% productivity improvement, contributing to cost reductions.

2020: Enhancement of Overseas Subsidiary Production Capacity

Overview
Invested in equipment expansion at Chinese subsidiary to boost dried gourd processing capacity.
Impact
Met local demand and achieved sales growth.

Sustainability

  • Promoting CO2 emission reductions through energy-saving factory equipment
  • Improving waste recycling rates
  • Improving packaging materials to reduce environmental impact
  • Environmental conservation activities in collaboration with local communities
  • Strengthening employee health maintenance initiatives and safety management