Aubex

Basic Information

Stock Code
3583
Industry
Textile Products
Category Detail
Daily Necessities & Household Products
Prefecture
Tokyo
Establishment Year
December 1892
Listing Year
May 1949
Official Website
https://www.aubex.co.jp/
TSE Information
TSE Information
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Overview

Aubex is a textile products manufacturer founded in 1892, with felt pen tip production as its mainstay, steadily expanding its business in the medical and technology products sectors as a long-established company.

Current Situation

Aubex recorded sales of approximately 5 billion yen and net profit of about 390 million yen in FY2017, establishing a stable management foundation. Its mainstay felt pen tips hold a high share in the writing instruments market, supplying domestic and international writing instrument manufacturers and cosmetics OEMs. The medical equipment business through subsidiaries is also growing, with a focus on technology product manufacturing. Based in Sumida-ku, Tokyo, it has local bases from Hokkaido to Kyushu. In technological innovation, it strives for precision processing technology and material development to maintain quality competitiveness. On the sustainability front, it is advancing measures to reduce environmental impact, aiming for overseas market expansion and increasing the proportion of medical-related products as a long-term growth strategy. Recently, it established a local subsidiary in Tianjin, China, to accelerate global expansion. It is enhancing risk resilience through business diversification while promoting the fusion of traditional and cutting-edge technologies.

Trivia

Interesting Facts

  • Long-established textile manufacturer founded in 1892 with deep history.
  • Originally started as Tokyo Bosi manufacturing hats.
  • Specializes in felt material pen tip production with advanced technology.
  • Early entry into medical felt products.
  • Established subsidiary in Tianjin, China, to advance overseas expansion.
  • Hat manufacturing business transferred to separate company in 2007 for specialization.
  • Successful diversification in writing instrument-related products.
  • Ryogoku in Sumida-ku, Tokyo, known as main headquarters base.

Hidden Connections

  • Major shareholder Asahi Group holds 14.47% stake.
  • Strengthening technological collaboration through close transactions with cosmetics OEM manufacturers.
  • Multiple joint research projects underway with medical device manufacturers.
  • Multiple related companies exist in the Sumida-ku, Tokyo textile industry cluster.
  • Hat manufacturing technology from founding forms the foundation of precision felt processing technology.
  • Established production base in Tianjin, China, via joint venture with related company.
  • Built long-term transaction relationships with leading writing instrument companies.
  • Achieved differentiation from some competitors through proprietary material development.

Future Outlook

Growth Drivers

  • Expansion of demand for high-value-added medical felt products.
  • Increasing needs for quality differentiation in writing instrument market.
  • Strengthening global expansion centered on Asian markets.
  • Differentiation through switch to environmentally friendly materials.
  • Expansion through multi-purpose deployment of industrial techno products.

Strategic Goals

  • Expand medical-related products to over 30% of sales.
  • Raise overseas sales ratio to over 40%.
  • Increase eco-friendly products sales ratio to over 50%.
  • Complete digitalization and automation of manufacturing processes.
  • Promote revenue diversification through new business development.

Business Segments

Writing Instrument Manufacturers Segment

Overview
Provides high-quality felt products and replacement parts for the writing instrument market.
Competitiveness
Advanced precision processing technology and long track record
Customers
  • Domestic writing instrument manufacturers
  • Overseas writing instrument manufacturers
  • OEM companies
Products
  • Felt pen tips
  • Replacement pen tip covers
  • Writing instrument accessories

Medical Devices & Supplies Segment

Overview
Provides felt parts for medical applications, emphasizing safety and quality.
Competitiveness
High-quality management system compliant with medical standards
Customers
  • Medical device manufacturers
  • Cosmetics OEM manufacturers
  • Medical institutions
Products
  • Felt for catheters
  • Syringe seals
  • Medical filters

Industrial Technology Products Segment

Overview
Manufactures and supplies felt products with characteristics such as heat resistance and anti-vibration for industrial applications.
Competitiveness
Processing technology capable of meeting diverse industrial needs
Customers
  • Industrial machinery manufacturers
  • Automotive parts manufacturers
  • Various industrial manufacturers
Products
  • High heat-resistant felt pads
  • Anti-vibration felt sheets
  • Industrial felt parts

Parts Supply Segment for Cosmetics OEM

Overview
Provides high-quality felt parts for cosmetics products with precise manufacturing control.
Competitiveness
Material development capabilities specialized for the cosmetics industry
Customers
  • Cosmetics manufacturers
  • OEM manufacturers
Products
  • Felt chips for cosmetics
  • Felt parts for lip brushes

Competitive Advantage

Strengths

  • Long history and accumulated technological strength
  • High-quality manufacturing of felt products
  • Well-balanced portfolio across multiple businesses
  • Stable customer base domestically and internationally
  • Diversification into medical and technology fields

Competitive Advantages

  • Top market share in felt pen tip market
  • Standards compliance in medical parts
  • Accumulated advanced precision processing technology
  • Supply chain stability
  • Low-cost structure via production base in China

Threats

  • Intensifying price competition from overseas rivals
  • Fluctuations in procurement costs for raw felt materials
  • Shrinking domestic market
  • Increased compliance burden from medical regulation changes
  • Market loss due to delays in technological innovation

Innovations

2023: Quality Improvement of Medical Felt Materials

Overview
Successfully developed medical felt materials achieving high durability and safety.
Impact
Gained high evaluation from medical device manufacturers, expanding adoption.

2022: Introduction of Automation in Precision Processing Technology

Overview
Introduced automation equipment into production lines, significantly improving manufacturing efficiency.
Impact
Achieved production cost reduction and shortened delivery times.

2024: Development of Eco-Friendly Felt Products

Overview
Commercialized eco pen tips using recycled materials, contributing to reduced environmental impact.
Impact
Gained support from environmentally conscious customer segments.

Sustainability

  • Promotion of recycled material use to reduce environmental impact
  • Establishment of energy-saving production processes
  • Equipment investment to suppress hazardous substance emissions
  • Active participation in local environmental conservation activities
  • Ongoing initiatives to improve waste recycling rate