J-MAX

Basic Information

Stock Code
3422
Industry
Metal Products
Category Detail
Manufacturing Machinery & Electrical Equipment
Prefecture
Gifu Prefecture
Establishment Year
January 1960
Listing Year
February 1999
Official Website
https://www.jp-jmax.co.jp/
TSE Information
TSE Information
Yahoo! Finance
Yahoo! Finance
Other Companies
Fujix, JMC, Punch Industry, Nichidai, GMB, Nankai Pla

Overview

J-MAX is a Honda-affiliated automotive press parts manufacturer founded in 1960, with strengths in high-precision mold design and production, establishing a mid-tier position in the industry through technological collaboration with Tohpre.

Current Situation

In the fiscal year ending March 2025, J-MAX achieved consolidated sales of 47.1 billion yen, operating profit of 19 million yen, and net profit of 3.282 billion yen in the black. Centering on the manufacture of automotive press parts, it also designs and produces molds, maintaining stable trading relationships as a Honda-group company. Through its capital and business alliance with Tohpre, it focuses on enhancing technological capabilities and has established a high-quality, precise parts supply system. In addition to multiple factories in Gifu Prefecture and Mie, it has a development center in Tochigi Prefecture, with robust R&D and sales functions. While pursuing management stabilization and efficiency, it addresses new functional press technologies and diversification of automotive parts. In recent years, amid industry reorganization, it experienced fluctuations in merger plans but strengthened ties with Honda Cars Tokai and through capital policies to solidify its business foundation. Focusing on environmental initiatives and quality control, it aims to maintain industry competitiveness and achieve growth. Moving forward, its strategic goals include developing and supplying high-value-added parts in response to electrification and lightweighting needs in the automotive industry.

Trivia

Interesting Facts

  • J-MAX was originally named Marujun Seiki Kogyo.
  • It operated Honda Four-Wheel Sales Marujun as a subsidiary but transferred shares in 2018.
  • Achieved technological enhancement through capital and business alliance with Tohpre.
  • Regionally rooted company with multiple production bases in Ogaki City, Gifu Prefecture.
  • Changed company name to J-MAX Co., Ltd. in 2022.
  • Founder was Junio Imagawa, with the Imagawa family previously involved in management.
  • Highly evaluated for high manufacturing precision of automotive press parts.
  • Unique financial situation with black net profit but red ordinary profit.
  • Listed on both Nagoya and Tokyo Stock Exchanges.
  • Unique business expansion including automobile sales.
  • Bases in Gifu, Ogaki, Tochigi, and Mie for broad coverage.
  • Diverse product lines of precision press parts.
  • Capable of integrated support from press parts design to production.
  • Market recognition for high-durability press mold design and production technology.
  • Diversified company also manufacturing body welding and assembly parts.

Hidden Connections

  • Strong technological and capital ties through capital and business alliance with Tohpre.
  • Equity relationship with Honda Cars Tokai influencing automotive sales business.
  • One of the major employers in Ogaki City, Gifu Prefecture's local economy.
  • Mid-tier in auto parts industry with related interested companies and competitors across sectors.
  • Proprietary mold technology supports automakers' development competitiveness.
  • Management curve changes due to withdrawal of founding Imagawa family from operations.
  • Rare company with dual listing experiences on Nagoya and Tokyo Stock Exchanges.
  • Forms close supply chain with medium and small automotive-related firms in Tokai region.

Future Outlook

Growth Drivers

  • Increasing demand for new parts due to automotive electrification
  • Development of high-function parts for lightweighting needs
  • Stable order base centered on Honda Group
  • Production capacity expansion through strengthened domestic and international bases
  • Market expansion for eco-friendly products amid stricter environmental regulations
  • Production efficiency improvements via AI and IoT utilization
  • Expansion into new business areas through diversification
  • Medium- to long-term technology innovation investments
  • Development support via advanced mold design technology
  • Strengthened global supply chain
  • Stable supply through regionally rooted management
  • Revenue growth in sales agency business

Strategic Goals

  • Expand high-function press parts sales to 50% of total
  • Promote development and adoption of environmentally responsive products
  • Sales expansion through overseas market entry
  • Complete digital transformation of manufacturing processes
  • Strengthen supply chain resilience
  • Build sustainable manufacturing system
  • Enhance talent development and technology succession
  • Raise new business sales to 20% of total
  • Sustain activities deepening coexistence with local communities
  • Improve production efficiency by 30% from 2025 levels

Business Segments

Automotive Press Parts Manufacturing

Overview
Division handling manufacturing and sales of high-precision automotive press parts, with stable transactions with major automakers.
Competitiveness
High-precision manufacturing technology through collaboration with Tohpre, enabling stable supply of high-quality parts
Customers
  • Honda Corporation
  • Major Automakers
  • Automotive Parts Suppliers
  • Automotive Assembly Plants
Products
  • Body Press Parts
  • Frame Parts
  • Interior Reinforcement Parts
  • Lightweight Parts

Mold Design and Production

Overview
Strength in precision design and high-durability production of automotive molds, highly evaluated for short delivery times.
Competitiveness
Custom designs tailored to customer needs and rapid delivery system
Customers
  • Automaker Development Divisions
  • Supplier Design Divisions
  • Prototype Development Companies
Products
  • Press Molds
  • Prototype Molds
  • Precision Forming Molds

Jigs and Gauges Manufacturing

Overview
Designs and provides dedicated jigs and gauges to support quality control in production lines.
Competitiveness
High-precision jig design technology adapted to each process
Customers
  • Automotive Production Sites
  • Inspection Processing Companies
  • Quality Control Divisions
Products
  • Welding Jigs
  • Inspection Gauges
  • Assembly Jigs

Sales Agency Operations

Overview
Provides Honda vehicle sales and maintenance services, building a related customer base.
Competitiveness
Strong capital ties and trust with Honda Group
Customers
  • General Consumers
  • Corporate Customers
  • Automotive Maintenance Companies
Products
  • New and Used Car Sales
  • After-Sales Services
  • Parts Supply

R&D and Prototype Support

Overview
Offers integrated development support services from design to prototyping.
Competitiveness
Superior technology in short delivery and customization
Customers
  • New Vehicle Development Divisions
  • Design Consulting Firms
  • Various Technology Development Divisions
Products
  • Prototype Molds
  • Technical Consulting
  • New Technology Verification Products

Motorcycle Parts Manufacturing

Overview
Mass-produces press parts for motorcycles, accommodating a wide range of models.
Competitiveness
Technology balancing lightweighting and durability
Customers
  • Motorcycle Manufacturers
  • Transportation Equipment Parts Processors
Products
  • Frame Parts
  • Decorative Parts
  • Reinforcement Parts

Industrial Machinery Parts

Overview
Diversified deployment of press parts for non-automotive industrial machinery.
Competitiveness
Manufacturing flexibility accommodating diverse industry needs
Customers
  • Industrial Machinery Manufacturers
  • Machine Tool-Related Businesses
Products
  • Frame Parts
  • Dedicated Jigs

Rust-Proofing and Surface Treatment Business

Overview
Improves parts performance and durability through surface treatment technology.
Competitiveness
High-quality rust-proofing technology and extensive surface treatment track record
Customers
  • Automakers
  • Parts Distributors
Products
  • Galvanized Parts
  • Special Coatings

Inspection and Maintenance Equipment

Overview
Develops and sells inspection and maintenance equipment for manufacturing processes.
Competitiveness
High-performance inspection equipment using image analysis technology
Customers
  • Quality Inspection Companies
  • Production Line Managers
Products
  • Image Inspection Systems
  • Automatic Maintenance Devices

Environmentally Responsive Parts Development

Overview
Develops lightweight, high-function parts compliant with environmental regulations.
Competitiveness
Integration of eco-friendly materials and design technology
Customers
  • EV Manufacturers
  • Environmentally Conscious Companies
Products
  • Lightweight Aluminum Parts
  • Hybrid-Compatible Parts

Sales Support and After-Sales Services

Overview
Provides a wide range of services to enhance customer satisfaction.
Competitiveness
Service system linked with Honda sales network
Customers
  • Vehicle Buyers
  • Insurance Companies
  • Repair Shops
Products
  • Vehicle After-Sales Services
  • Parts Supply

Technical Consulting

Overview
Technical support proposing product design improvements and manufacturing efficiency gains.
Competitiveness
Specialized consulting by experienced engineers
Customers
  • New Entrant Companies
  • Design Firms
Products
  • Parts Design Support
  • Manufacturing Process Optimization

Competitive Advantage

Strengths

  • Strength in high-precision press technology
  • Stable trading relationships as Honda affiliate
  • Capital and business alliance with Tohpre
  • Multi-site manufacturing setup
  • Robust R&D division
  • Long track record in mold design
  • Product lineup responding to market needs
  • Thorough quality control system
  • Diversified business operations
  • Extensive experience of skilled technicians
  • Flexible customer responsiveness
  • Trust as a mid-tier player in automotive industry
  • High manufacturing efficiency
  • Technology exchange via capital relationships
  • Strengthened collaboration with Honda Cars Tokai

Competitive Advantages

  • Established proprietary technology through Tohpre collaboration, supplying high-quality parts
  • Specialized in Honda group for stable, large-scale orders
  • Production risk dispersion enabled by multiple factories
  • Diverse automotive parts lineup addressing varied customer needs
  • Integrated support from prototyping to mass production via advanced mold design
  • In-house jig and gauge development for quality control strength
  • Customer base leveraging sales agency know-how
  • Ongoing orders expected from long-term customer relationships
  • Early rollout of eco-friendly and lightweighting technologies
  • Contributes to customer issue resolution via technical consulting
  • Risk reduction from market dependency through diversification
  • Provision of high-value-added products using precision processing
  • Rapid response via regionally embedded factories
  • Achieved net profit black ink, enhancing management stability
  • Competitive edge through production process efficiency

Threats

  • Shifts in parts demand due to automotive electrification
  • Price pressures from intensifying global competition
  • Cost increase risks from rising raw material prices
  • Supply chain instability from international situations
  • Equipment investment burdens from stricter environmental regulations
  • Need to keep pace with rapid technological innovations
  • Talent acquisition challenges from successor shortages
  • Demand fluctuations from COVID-19 and similar impacts
  • Increased design loads from vehicle model diversification
  • Competition with low-cost suppliers in Southeast Asia etc.
  • Profitability impacts from exchange rate fluctuations
  • Reputation damage risks from quality issues

Innovations

2024: Development of New High-Precision Press Mold Technology

Overview
Jointly developed with Tohpre a new high-precision, highly durable press mold.
Impact
Contributes to parts quality improvement and defect rate reduction

2023: Mass Production of Lightweight Aluminum Press Parts

Overview
Established mass production technology for aluminum press parts to meet lightweighting needs for environmental compliance.
Impact
Contributes to fuel efficiency improvements and order expansion

2022: Introduction of AI-Based Press Line Quality Control System

Overview
Introduced AI-utilizing quality inspection and defect prediction system in production lines.
Impact
Inspection efficiency up 20%, defect rate down 10%

2021: Improvement of Eco-Friendly Surface Treatment Technology

Overview
Improved surface treatment processes to reduce environmental impact while enhancing rust-proofing performance.
Impact
Waste liquid reduction 30%, improved parts durability

2025: Introduction of Next-Generation Mold Design Software

Overview
Introduced latest software to improve design efficiency and shorten design periods.
Impact
Design period shortened 15%, advancing production start times

Sustainability

  • Promotion of energy use efficiency in factories
  • Improvement and strengthened management of waste recycling rates
  • Implementation of in-house environmental education programs
  • Expansion of eco-friendly material adoption
  • Introduction of resource-saving manufacturing processes
  • Participation in local environmental conservation activities
  • Setting and pursuing CO2 emission reduction targets
  • Reduction of environmental impact across the supply chain
  • Improvement of work environment through thorough safety and health management
  • Formulation of sustainable procurement policies
  • Strengthened water resource management
  • In-house carbon offset activities