Kibun Foods

Basic Information

Stock Code
2933
Industry
Food Products
Category Detail
Food Manufacturing
Prefecture
Tokyo
Establishment Year
September 1947
Listing Year
April 2021
Official Website
https://www.kibun.co.jp/
TSE Information
TSE Information
Yahoo! Finance
Yahoo! Finance
Other Companies
Kyokuyo, Nissui, Maruha Nichiro, Ebara Foods, Hagoromo Foods, Yokorei, Ichimasa Kamaboko, Natori, STI Food Holdings, Okamura Foods Industry, Nichimo

Overview

Kibun Foods is a Japanese food manufacturer founded in 1947, centered on surimi seafood products, and a pioneer in quality stabilization, having established a solid position both domestically and internationally.

Current Situation

Kibun Foods recorded consolidated net sales of approximately ¥99.9 billion and operating profit of ¥3.6 billion for the fiscal year ended March 2021, with extensive production bases and sales networks across Japan. Its flagship fish paste products have penetrated the household market through stable quality supply and chilled distribution. Overseas, it has local subsidiaries in Thailand, the US, Taiwan, and others, strengthening global expansion, and is promoting product development through business partnerships. In terms of sustainability, it has obtained multiple food safety and HACCP certifications at various factories and promotes environmentally friendly manufacturing. In the medium to long term, it emphasizes strengthening product development and new market development as its business strategy, aiming for high-quality product supply and enhanced corporate value. Recently, it has advanced diversification, including entry into the fish sausage market and development of high-price products. It is also actively engaged in social activities for regional contributions and preserving traditional culture.

Trivia

Interesting Facts

  • Kibun's chilled distribution pioneered stable food quality supply in Japan.
  • Chi-Chiku, launched in 1996, is a patented proprietary invention product that gained popularity.
  • Operates 7 major production factories domestically and internationally, establishing a multi-base system.
  • Fusion of traditional methods and cutting-edge technology supports product taste and quality.
  • Company president appeared on TV Tokyo's 'Cambria Palace' to disclose strategies.
  • Popularized surimi products nationwide through frozen surimi products.
  • Sponsors sumo announcer outfits, contributing to traditional culture.
  • Implements cultural support such as New Year's picture book contests for libraries.
  • Collaborates with industry groups to set safety standards for fish processing.
  • Connected to the British-style tearoom 'Benoa' in Ginza.
  • 0g carb noodles without animal ingredients are pioneers in the health food market.
  • Founder Kunihito Yasuashi is a pioneer in the seafood processing industry.
  • Global expansion with local subsidiaries in Southeast Asia and North America.
  • The 'Kibun seal' on product packaging indicates high brand recognition.
  • Major shareholders include food giants like Maruha Nichiro and Kikkoman.

Hidden Connections

  • Strengthened soy milk business through capital and business alliance with Kikkoman.
  • Business partnership with Maruha Nichiro in surimi seafood products business contributed to market share expansion.
  • Achieved traditional culture support and brand awareness through advertising contract with Japan Sumo Association.
  • Developed and launched soy milk beverage 'Soytime' in collaboration with related companies.
  • Established foothold in Southeast Asian market and strengthened export base through Thai local subsidiary.
  • Promotes joint product development with confectionery and beverage companies from other industries.
  • Established Safety Food Center within the group to advance quality management.
  • Commercial relationship with Beno a, operator of British-style tearoom at Ginza Matsuzakaya.

Future Outlook

Growth Drivers

  • Increasing demand for low-carb and functional foods due to health trends
  • New sales channel development from expanding frozen food markets domestically and overseas
  • Market capture with high-value-added products like fish sausages
  • Strengthening market presence in Southeast Asia and North America
  • Improved reliability through enhanced food safety standards
  • Integration and strengthening of online sales channels
  • Focus on environmentally responsive products and sustainability promotion
  • Faster product development through strengthened inter-industry collaborations
  • Deployment of diverse products responding to consumer needs
  • Advancement of regionally integrated sales strategies
  • Ongoing corporate brand image enhancement
  • Improved productivity through introduction of advanced technologies

Strategic Goals

  • Expand sales to approximately ¥150 billion domestically and overseas
  • 50% reduction in environmental impact and sustainable fishery resource utilization
  • Launch 10 or more new businesses and product lines
  • Increase zero-carb and plant-based product ratio to over 30% of total
  • Advanced production and logistics through digital technology utilization
  • Set target of over 90% employee satisfaction
  • Increase EC direct sales revenue ratio to over 20%
  • Further strengthen regional contribution and food culture preservation activities
  • Accelerate global network expansion
  • Complete food safety certification acquisition at all business sites

Business Segments

Wholesale to Food Service Industry

Overview
Key segment supplying large volumes of stable-quality surimi products to restaurants.
Competitiveness
Product development capabilities meeting diverse commercial needs
Customers
  • Izakaya chains
  • Family restaurants
  • Oden specialty stores
  • Hotels and ryokans
  • School lunch providers
  • Hospitals and nursing homes
Products
  • Raw materials for fish paste products
  • Commercial kamaboko
  • Oden ingredient sets

Raw Material Supply to Food Manufacturers

Overview
Supplies a wide range from raw materials to processed ingredients to food manufacturers.
Competitiveness
Stable supply and high-quality control systems
Customers
  • Food processors
  • Confectionery manufacturers
  • Frozen food producers
Products
  • Frozen surimi paste
  • Fish paste
  • Special surimi materials

Logistics and Warehousing Services

Overview
Provides efficient logistics services using refrigerated and frozen facilities to own and external parties.
Competitiveness
Rapid delivery network nationwide
Customers
  • Own group companies
  • External food companies
Products
  • Low-temperature warehouse storage
  • Frozen delivery services

OEM and Joint Development Business

Overview
Business involving product planning and manufacturing in collaboration with partner companies.
Competitiveness
Flexible manufacturing response and sales channel support
Customers
  • Major food companies
  • Healthcare-related companies
Products
  • Fish processed OEM products
  • Health-oriented foods

Competitive Advantage

Strengths

  • Pioneering quality stabilization technology
  • Nationwide chilled distribution network
  • Reliable food safety certifications
  • High brand recognition of traditional products
  • Diversified overseas production bases
  • Strong business partnerships
  • High product development capabilities
  • Extensive product lineup
  • Regionally integrated sales network
  • Organized R&D structure
  • Comprehensive customer support
  • Environmentally considerate production processes
  • Stable financial base
  • Industry-leading manufacturing capacity
  • Active social contribution activities

Competitive Advantages

  • Product quality stabilization using frozen surimi
  • Rapid nationwide supply of high-quality products via chilled delivery
  • Production risk diversification with multiple domestic and overseas bases
  • New product development and sales channel expansion through partnerships
  • Reliability from international food safety certifications
  • Market coverage from broad product categories
  • Traditional brand image and high customer loyalty
  • Strengthened supply chain with integrated logistics services
  • Regional responsiveness via subdivided sales branches
  • Brand enhancement through TV commercials and cultural activities
  • Ongoing technological innovation and patents differentiating from competitors
  • Global market対応 via multinational expansion
  • Expanded consumer touchpoints through diverse sales channels
  • Strengthened direct sales using e-commerce
  • Sustainable management fulfilling corporate social responsibility

Threats

  • Risk of rising or fluctuating raw fish prices
  • Intense price competition with domestic and international rivals
  • Reputation damage risk from food safety issues
  • Demand fluctuations due to changing consumer health trends
  • Supply delays from logistics disruptions
  • Increased manufacturing costs from stricter regulations
  • Overseas production cost impacts from exchange rate fluctuations
  • Production base damage risk from natural disasters
  • Domestic market shrinkage from population decline
  • Brand value decline from delayed environmental responses
  • Challenges in securing sustainable raw material supply
  • Falling behind competitors due to delayed new technology adoption

Innovations

2023: Entry into High-Price Fish Sausage Segment

Overview
Developed high-value-added fish sausage products in collaboration with Maruha Nichiro.
Impact
Expected sales growth from new market development.

2022: Ongoing Improvements to 0g Carb Noodles

Overview
Refreshed quality and taste of 0g carb noodles to meet health trends.
Impact
Strengthened competitiveness in the low-carb food market.

2021: HACCP Certification at Multiple Factories

Overview
Obtained international food safety certification at all major production factories to strengthen quality assurance.
Impact
Contributed to improved food safety trust and business expansion.

2020: Advanced Frozen Surimi Technology

Overview
Introduced quality management system for frozen surimi raw materials to achieve stabilization.
Impact
Ensured uniform product quality and improved customer satisfaction.

Sustainability

  • Strict food safety management system centered on ISO22000
  • Reduced environmental impact through waste reduction and recycling promotion
  • Product development considering safety and reassurance for commercial and household use
  • Sustainable raw material procurement through cooperation with local fishermen
  • Food culture preservation and educational activities in collaboration with local communities
  • Promoting consideration of renewable energy introduction
  • Packaging material reforms to reduce plastics
  • Regular training to raise employee environmental awareness
  • Expansion of health-oriented product lineup
  • Contribution to food loss reduction through low-temperature logistics