Hisamitsu Pharmaceutical
Basic Information
- Stock Code
- 4530
- Industry
- Pharmaceuticals
- Category Detail
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals
- Prefecture
- Saga Prefecture
- Establishment Year
- May 1944
- Listing Year
- September 1962
- Official Website
- https://www.hisamitsu.co.jp/
- TSE Information
- TSE Information
- Yahoo! Finance
- Yahoo! Finance
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Overview
Hisamitsu Pharmaceutical is a pharmaceutical manufacturer founded in 1944, recognized as the industry leader in topical analgesic and anti-inflammatory agents both domestically and internationally.
Current Situation
In the fiscal year ended February 2022, Hisamitsu Pharmaceutical recorded consolidated net sales of 120.1 billion yen, ordinary income of 12.6 billion yen, and net income of 9.6 billion yen, maintaining a stable financial base. It holds a high market share in the topical analgesic and anti-inflammatory market with its flagship Salonpas series and other products. The company is actively entering the prescription pharmaceutical market, with its Morus series gaining support in medical institutions. Research and development is centered in Tosu City, Saga Prefecture, and recently enhanced by a new R&D facility at Shonan Health Innovation Park in Fujisawa City, Kanagawa Prefecture, promoting innovation. From ESG and sustainability perspectives, it has established the 'HELLO! eco!' label to advance environmentally considerate product development. Considering the maturity of the domestic market, it is strengthening overseas expansion and, in 2023, became an official TEAM JAPAN partner to enhance its brand through sports support. Recently, it has diversified by making its mail-order business a subsidiary. Moving forward, it plans to pursue growth strategies leveraging its R&D capabilities and brand strength, balancing stable pharmaceutical supply with social contributions.
Trivia
Interesting Facts
- 'Salonpas' is a long-seller launched in 1934.
- The company emblem 'small' derives from the founding name 'Komatsuya'.
- The Salonpas neon sign at Shibuya Scramble Crossing is famous.
- Hisamitsu Pharmaceutical boasts stable dividends and performance since listing.
- It is a family-owned business, with representatives from the Nakatomi family.
- The sound logo 'Hi-Sa-Mi-Tsu' is registered as a sound trademark.
- It sponsors the Hisamitsu Springs women's volleyball team in the sports world.
- Mail-order business separated as a subsidiary to enhance specialization.
- Owns multiple laboratories and factories domestically, with integrated production and research.
- Has entered Asian countries and established local subsidiaries.
- Actively acquires intellectual property rights, maintaining competitiveness through patents.
- Invests in cable TV and radio stations for local communities.
- Possesses long-term accumulation of technology and market know-how in pharmaceuticals.
- Contributes to regional employment creation as a local Saga company.
- Acquired SS Pharmaceutical's prescription business in 2005 for expansion.
Hidden Connections
- Hisamitsu Pharmaceutical, as a member of the Sanwa Group, implements capital and technology collaboration through multiple related companies.
- Distant relations with Kobayashi Pharmaceutical and Ryukakusan, with unique bonds in the industry as family-owned pharmaceutical companies.
- Utilizes sports market to expand 'Salonpas' brand, major sponsor of J.League Sagan Tosu.
- Operates joint venture 'Maruto Industry' with proprietary packaging technology leveraging product characteristics.
- Served as official sponsor for Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics, contributing to enhanced social credibility.
- Mail-order business specialized as Hisamitsu Wellness, strengthening customer touchpoints.
- Tosu City, Saga Prefecture, hosts headquarters and factories, strongly influencing local economy.
- Roots in Kampo-derived products, successfully modernizing traditional pharmaceutical technology.
Future Outlook
Growth Drivers
- Stable demand for topical analgesic and anti-inflammatory agents in domestic and international markets
- Expansion of demand for chronic pain treatment products due to aging society
- New customer acquisition through strengthened mail-order and EC channels
- Overseas market expansion plans centered on China and Southeast Asia
- Product differentiation and high value-added through new technologies
- Strengthened brand collaboration utilizing sports sector
- Sustainable growth through environmentally considerate product development
- Expansion via new prescription pharmaceutical formulations
- Efficient promotion through digital marketing
- Entry into new fields through strengthened R&D system
Strategic Goals
- Maintain over 70% domestic share in topical analgesic and anti-inflammatory market
- Expand overseas sales ratio to over 30%
- Grow mail-order business sales to twice current level
- Achieve 80% recyclability rate for packaging materials to reduce environmental impact
- Realize over 10 billion yen in annual sales from new prescription products
- Achieve industry top-level ESG investment evaluation
- Promote diverse social contribution activities in collaboration with local communities
- Continuous improvement of customer experience using digital technology
- Implement sustainable human resource development and diversity promotion
- Increase annual R&D investment to over 5% of sales
Business Segments
Products for Medical Institutions
- Overview
- Provides prescription drugs and equipment used in medical settings.
- Competitiveness
- High quality and reliability in prescription drugs
- Customers
-
- Hospitals
- Clinics
- Pharmacies
- Pharmaceutical wholesalers
- Products
-
- Transdermal analgesic and anti-inflammatory agents
- Antifungal topicals
- Medical supporters
OTC Drug Distribution
- Overview
- Wholesale and sales support for pharmaceuticals and quasi-drugs.
- Competitiveness
- Strong brand and sales force
- Customers
-
- Drugstore chains
- Mass retailers
- EC site operators
- Products
-
- Topical analgesic and anti-inflammatory products
- Rhinitis treatments
- Athlete's foot treatments
Mail-Order Business
- Overview
- Direct sales through own mail-order channels.
- Competitiveness
- Product development aligned with consumer needs
- Customers
-
- Individual consumers
- Health-conscious segment
- Senior market
- Products
-
- Health foods
- Functional drinks
- OTC drugs
Pharmaceutical Packaging Materials
- Overview
- Manufactures and supplies packaging films, etc.
- Competitiveness
- Advanced manufacturing technology and Sanwa Group network
- Customers
-
- Pharmaceutical companies
- Drug manufacturers
- Products
-
- Pharmaceutical packaging films
- Packaging materials
OEM Supply
- Overview
- Contract manufacturing for other companies' brands.
- Competitiveness
- Wide manufacturing lines and quality control capabilities
- Customers
-
- Domestic and international pharmaceutical manufacturers
- Health food manufacturers
- Products
-
- OEM manufactured products
Overseas Business Development
- Overview
- Overseas market expansion and local adaptation business.
- Competitiveness
- Multinational deployment and localized marketing
- Customers
-
- Overseas pharmaceutical sales companies
- Local agents
- Products
-
- Analgesic and anti-inflammatory agents
- Health-related products
Competitive Advantage
Strengths
- High brand recognition in the topical analgesic and anti-inflammatory market
- Stable sales power of long-selling products
- Diversified entry into prescription pharmaceuticals
- Robust R&D system and technological strength
- Well-established sales channels covering domestic and international markets
- Established manufacturing quality control system
- Active initiatives in sustainability
- Strong financial position and sound financial base
- Diversified product portfolio
- Trust relationships based on long history
- Brand image enhancement through sports sponsorship
- Growth in mail-order and EC business
- Business diversification through subsidiaries
- Well-equipped domestic logistics centers in Japan
- Solid management team and governance
Competitive Advantages
- Overwhelming share of 'Salonpas' brand in domestic and international markets
- Strong prescription drugs providing thick trust with medical institutions
- Formulation development capabilities enhancing skin permeability with proprietary technology
- Proven track record and safety of products over many years
- Powerful resource utilization through collaboration with Sanwa Group
- Broad market need coverage with diverse product lineup
- Active development of China and Southeast Asia markets
- Brand strengthening through sports event collaborations
- Continuous sales growth in prescription pharmaceuticals
- New product creation expected from high R&D investment
- Stable supply realized by well-equipped domestic logistics bases
- Expansion of mail-order and online sales channels
- Corporate value enhancement based on ESG and sustainability
- Active utilization of patents and intellectual property
- Stable local support through community-oriented activities
Threats
- Intensifying competition in pharmaceuticals and OTC markets
- Constraints on product development and sales due to regulatory strengthening
- Competition with local companies in overseas markets
- Profit impact from exchange rate fluctuations
- Increase in generic products following patent expiration
- Risks of quality issues or production halts at manufacturing plants
- Rising raw material prices and supply instability
- Risk of failing to respond to changing market needs
- Intensified price competition from new entrants
- Delays in sustainability regulation compliance
- Sudden external environment changes such as new health crises
- Declining domestic demand due to demographic changes
Innovations
2024: Completion of new 'SAGA Global Research Center' laboratory
- Overview
- Opened the latest R&D base in Tosu City, Saga Prefecture, to promote development of innovative pharmaceuticals.
- Impact
- Improved research efficiency and expanded product lineup
2023: Subsidiary conversion of mail-order business and brand refresh
- Overview
- Transferred mail-order business to subsidiary Hisamitsu Wellness to expand services and enhance brand value.
- Impact
- Contributes to strengthened customer touchpoints and sales expansion
2023: Renewal launch of analgesic and anti-inflammatory products
- Overview
- Enhanced market competitiveness through package and formulation improvements for major products like 'Salonpas Hot'.
- Impact
- Improved customer satisfaction and promoted sales recovery
2022: Establishment of 'HELLO! eco!' label indicating environmental consideration
- Overview
- Created identification mark for reducing environmental impact of own products to advance sustainability.
- Impact
- Enhanced brand image and gained consumer support
2021: Launch of mask applying non-woven fabric for patches
- Overview
- Developed high-function mask applying analgesic patch technology to meet expanded demand during the pandemic.
- Impact
- Market expansion through new product deployment
2021: Launch of new products containing felbinac
- Overview
- Introduced new products in multiple forms including warm sensation type like 'Feitas Zα Jikusas'.
- Impact
- Improved product competitiveness and increased sales
2020: Strengthening of local Chinese subsidiary
- Overview
- Established Hisamitsu Pharmaceutical Technology Consulting (Beijing) Co., Ltd. to solidify foothold in China.
- Impact
- Expanded China business and strengthened local collaboration
2020: Launch of spray analgesic 'Air Salonpas Z'
- Overview
- Expanded product line with new spray formulation containing diclofenac sodium.
- Impact
- Improved user convenience and promoted sales
2024: Package design refresh
- Overview
- Renewed packages for major products like 'Escap' and 'Lakalto' tailored to own products.
- Impact
- Improved brand recognition and promoted purchases
2024: Expansion of domestic logistics system
- Overview
- Opened Kansai Logistics Center to strengthen supply to western Japan.
- Impact
- Improved delivery efficiency and achieved stable supply
Sustainability
- Improvement of manufacturing processes to reduce environmental impact
- Promotion of recyclable packaging materials for products
- Implementation of environmental education support activities for local communities
- Improvement of work environment and promotion of diversity
- Strengthening pharmaceutical safety management and improving information transparency
- Support for local contribution activities in Saga Prefecture
- Establishment of sustainable raw material procurement
- Reduction of energy consumption and expansion of renewable energy use
- Promotion of waste reduction initiatives
- In-house programs to raise sustainability awareness