Asahimatsu Foods
Basic Information
- Stock Code
- 2911
- Industry
- Food Products
- Category Detail
- Food Manufacturing
- Prefecture
- Osaka Prefecture
- Establishment Year
- December 1950
- Listing Year
- September 1992
- Official Website
- https://www.asahimatsu.co.jp/
- TSE Information
- TSE Information
- Yahoo! Finance
- Yahoo! Finance
- Other Companies
- Fukudome H, Marusan Ai, Yutaka Foods, Yamami, Ishii Foods, Shinozakiya, Pickles Holdings
Overview
Asahimatsu Foods is a food manufacturer founded in 1950, with soybean processed foods as its mainstay, holding strong market competitiveness in the instant miso soup and freeze-dried tofu sectors.
Current Situation
Asahimatsu Foods recorded consolidated sales of approximately 8.2 billion yen and net profit of approximately 240 million yen for the fiscal year ending March 2021. Its mainstay products, the instant miso soup 'Nama Misozui' and freeze-dried tofu 'Asahi Tofu,' have established stable market positions. Although it temporarily withdrew from the natto business, it re-entered the market in 2020 with freeze-dried natto for both business and home use, developing new markets. Within the industry, it leverages its strengths in soybean processing technology and high quality, while focusing on developing foods with functional claims. Centered on its Osaka headquarters, it deploys sales channels nationwide and continues regionally rooted management. In recent years, it has expanded into the caregiver food sector in response to growing health consciousness. Looking ahead, it positions product lineup diversification, growth in new businesses through freeze-dried technology utilization, and introduction of sustainable manufacturing processes as key strategies. Financially stable, it maintains a solid base while managing risks such as intensifying competition and raw material price fluctuations.
Trivia
Interesting Facts
- The name 'Nama Misozui' derives from a traditional nursery rhyme
- Unique history of withdrawing from natto business and re-entering with freeze-dried natto
- Rare structure with two bases: Osaka head office and Nagano main plant
- Historically supports education as a participating company in the Belmark Movement
- Many loyal repeat customers as an established instant miso soup brand
- Pioneering efforts in caregiver foods highly evaluated in the industry
- Boosted recognition by featuring celebrities like Etsuko Ichihara in TV commercials
- Implements contract farming with local farmers for raw material sourcing
- Odor-suppressing method for 'Nattou Ichi' utilized as patented technology
- Instant miso soup production lines characterized by thorough hygiene management
- Ongoing relationship with Mitsukan in natto manufacturing and sales
- Promotes unique R&D in foods with functional claims
- Long-term continuation of active community contribution activities
Hidden Connections
- Transferred natto business trademarks and operations rights to Mitsukan, maintaining industry cooperation
- Strong unique ties to educational sites through the Belmark Movement
- Implements contract farming with local Nagano agricultural groups for quality stability
- Talent-endorsed advertising strategy contributes to regional culture formation
- East Japan branch location in Nihonbashi Ningyocho is near traditional food merchant district
- Caregiver food manufacturing technology horizontally deployed to related industries
- OEM manufacturing technology key to strengthening cooperation with other food manufacturers
- Freeze-dried product technology know-how applicable to medical and disaster prevention fields
Future Outlook
Growth Drivers
- Increasing demand for health-oriented foods
- Rapid expansion of caregiver food market
- Expansion of freeze-dried technology applications
- Market growth in foods with functional claims
- Strengthening of regionally rooted sales channels
- Value enhancement through new product development
- Diversification of food-related needs in aging society
- Brand trust improvement accompanying strengthened food safety
- Further expansion of OEM manufacturing business
- Expansion of environmentally friendly products
- New market development domestically and internationally
- Production efficiency improvement through DX utilization
Strategic Goals
- Achieve sales over 10 billion yen
- Freeze-dried products sales ratio over 50%
- Foods with functional claims lineup of 10 or more items
- Market share over 20% in caregiver foods
- 30% reduction in CO2 emissions
- Stable raw material procurement through expanded contract farming with local farmers
- Promotion of new market development domestically and internationally
- 50% reduction in food waste
- Brand strengthening for younger demographics through new product development
- Business efficiency and quality improvement through DX promotion
Business Segments
Business Food Supply
- Overview
- Stably supplies high-quality business foods to medical, welfare, and education sectors.
- Competitiveness
- Technology and quality control specialized in soybean processing
- Customers
-
- Hospitals
- Nursing Facilities
- School Lunches
- Food Processors
- Restaurant Chains
- Hotels
- Products
-
- Freeze-Dried Natto
- Instant Miso Soup for Business Use
- Freeze-Dried Tofu
- Caregiver Food Ingredients
- High-Functional Soybean Products
Processed Ingredient Supply
- Overview
- Stably provides processed raw materials to various food manufacturers.
- Competitiveness
- Consistent supply of high-quality soybean materials
- Customers
-
- Food Manufacturers
- Seasoning Manufacturers
- Health Food Manufacturers
- Freeze-Dry Processors
- Products
-
- Soybean Materials
- Freeze-Dried Tofu Raw Materials
- Natto Starter Cultures
- Miso Raw Materials
OEM Manufacturing Services
- Overview
- Provides OEM manufacturing services for other companies' brands.
- Competitiveness
- High hygiene management and customization capabilities
- Customers
-
- Food Brands
- Drugstore PB
- Mail-Order Businesses
- Products
-
- Instant Miso Soup Manufacturing
- Freeze-Dried Products
- High-Quality Soybean Processed Goods
Competitive Advantage
Strengths
- High technological expertise specialized in soybean processing
- Brand strength and market recognition in instant miso soup
- Early adoption of freeze-dried technology
- Diversified expansion into caregiver foods
- Stable financial foundation
- Regionally rooted sales network
- Track record in developing foods with functional claims
- Establishment of diverse sales channels
- OEM manufacturing capabilities leveraging know-how
- Strong sourcing of high-quality materials
- Long industry experience and history
- Differentiation through re-entry into limited natto market segment
- Solid management structure
- Flexible response to customer needs
- Strong local partnerships
Competitive Advantages
- Market-top-class product lineup with expertise in soybean processed foods
- High customer loyalty from long-selling instant miso soup products
- Successful differentiation through advanced freeze-dried natto market deployment
- Secured growth market through early entry into caregiver foods
- Possesses both regional and major chain sales channels
- Broadly covers customer needs with diverse product lineup
- Built stable revenue base with OEM manufacturing business
- Actively deploys foods with functional claims to address health trends
- High evaluation from customers for material sourcing and manufacturing quality
- Advances medium- to long-term investments and R&D due to financial stability
Threats
- Raw material soybean price fluctuation risks
- Shrinking natto market and intensifying competition
- Domestic consumption market contraction due to population decline
- Intensifying competition with rivals in health-oriented products
- Rising logistics costs due to external environmental changes
- Increased compliance costs from strengthened food safety regulations
- Impact of natural disasters on production and supply
- Market share pressure from new entrants
- Delayed response to rapid changes in consumer preferences
- Demand decline due to domestic and international economic uncertainties
Innovations
2020: Re-launch of Freeze-Dried Natto in the Market
- Overview
- After withdrawing from the natto business, limited to freeze-dried products and restarted sales for business and home use.
- Impact
- Successfully acquired new customer segments in the natto market and restructured the business
2021: Promotion of Foods with Functional Claims Development
- Overview
- Strengthened development and sales of miso soup products with visceral fat reduction functional claims.
- Impact
- Accelerated capture of health-conscious consumers
2022: Expansion of Caregiver Food Series
- Overview
- Increased varieties of soft foods and high-nutrient products for the elderly and expanded sales channels.
- Impact
- Increased orders from nursing facilities and expanded market share
2023: Advanced Freeze-Dried Technology
- Overview
- Implemented improvements in drying technology and flavor retention to enhance product quality.
- Impact
- Enhanced competitiveness through improved shelf life and flavor
Sustainability
- Expansion of renewable energy adoption
- Promotion of food waste reduction projects
- Adoption and development of environmentally friendly packaging materials
- Stable supply through contract farming with local farmers
- Implementation of employee environmental education programs
- Regular participation in community cleanup activities
- Strengthening of food safety management systems
- Introduction of energy-saving equipment and operational improvements
- Product planning to reduce food loss
- Promotion of sustainable product lines
- Regional economic revitalization through local production for local consumption
- Improvement of waste recycling rates